Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Grand Island Central Catholic's Sharon Zavala, the winningest high school volleyball coach in Nebraska history, who is retiring after 49 seasons.

Since 1975 Coach Zavala has built a volleyball dynasty at Central Catholic. She recruited athletes and cheerleaders back then to start a shaky first team but by the end of her career would compile a 1177 win 220 loss record and 11 state championships after 49 years.

Zavala was a pioneer in high school volleyball and set the standard for girls' sports in Grand Island and the surrounding areas. For her efforts she's been inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Northwest High School Athletic Hall of Fame (Zavala graduated from Northwest), the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame (Zavala's alma mater) and the National High School Hall of Fame.

In 2007 she was awarded the National High School Athletics Coaches Association National High School Volleyball Coach of the Year and won the Independent Girls' Coach of the year three times during her tenure.

Few coaches have demonstrated Zavala's dedication and passion to high school volleyball. In 49 years she's missed only one practice due to a positive Covid test. She is devoted to players past and present and is responsible for the careers of many successful coaches whom she coached at Central Catholic. Her players speak of her quiet demeanor and her ability to stay calm during close matches. Notably, she has maintained long-time relationships with 49 years of players and is very proud to have coached daughters whose mothers played for her the previous generation.

Zavala attributes her calm demeanor to the traditions she's meticulously followed through the years. Every match, she says, has begun with a ``Hail Mary''. Her players dedicated themselves to the recitation of the prayer at every match and noted that it always calmed and focused them.

Grand Island Central Catholic is grateful for Zavala's many contributions to the school history and for helping to develop girls' sports at a time when boys' sports was the only show in town. Thanks to Zavala, hundreds of girls in Grand Island and in Central Nebraska have experienced the thrill, hard work, and perseverance and rewards of girls' athletics.

Sharon Zavala has been a role model, leader and certainly a gift to Grand Island Central Catholic, to the Grand Island community, and to the state of Nebraska.

Madam Chair, I stand in support of this amendment.

We have to be clear-eyed. Iran is our adversary. They have killed 609 Americans in Iraq. They have fueled and energized or armed Hamas that conducted the attacks on October 7. They armed the Hezbollah. They armed the Houthis. We should go after all their assets. We should take every dollar that we can because every dollar that they have fuels terrorism.

Madam Chair, I stand in support of Mr. Nunn's amendment.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and celebrate a selfless civil servant who has served the Second District of Nebraska for well over 20 years in Federal, State, and local government. James Wright currently serves as our district director and has made a lasting impact for our constituents.

In 2001, James started a decade-long position with my friend and former congressman, Lee Terry, as a constituent liaison and special projects coordinator, a role in which he handled constituent casework and developed outreach projects that addressed the needs of local governments, private civic organizations, and other constituents.

One of his most impactful achievements was leading the district's transition assistance program after the FCC directed the conversion of all TV and radio systems from analog to digital. His model comprehensive program included information, education, and engagement to many who needed assistance to make a smooth and seamless transition.

After a decade with Congressman Terry, former Governor David Heineman, also my friend, asked James to head up the Office of Violence Prevention, where he was responsible for developing, fostering, promoting, and assessing violence prevention programs throughout the State of Nebraska.

James served there for a year before returning to Federal service and working with U.S. Senator Mike Johanns, a man I respect very much. He served as a special projects coordinator and constituent services representative, where he continued his passion for helping constituents by finding resources and solutions to resolve their cases.

Following his time in the U.S. Senate, James once again took a detour from his Federal service and worked for the city of Omaha under another one of my friends, Mayor Jean Stothert, as the director of community outreach. In that role, he assisted neighborhood groups and alliances through the development of community outreach programs.

After working in city government, James served under my friend and predecessor, Congressman Brad Ashford, as director of constituent services, where he provided direct assistance to constituents, delivering guidance and assistance to the constituent services team. He also worked with the senior staff to develop and maintain strategic relationships with relevant stakeholders in State and local government related to issues of importance to the congressional district.

During this time, his leadership was key to the authorization of the first-ever public-private partnership that constructed a modern veteran healthcare center that has become the standard across the Nation in how to deliver better, faster, and more effective VA care.

James joined our team in January of 2017. As our district director, James oversees the management and operation of the office, supervises and mentors our staff, and leads engagement with a multitude of local organizations, constituents, and elected officials across a wide variety of issue areas.

James also supervises all of our constituent services, delivering the best constituent services in Congress as recognized by the Congressional Management Foundation in 2021.

James' service to the community goes way beyond his 20 years of Federal civil service. He is a semi-professional actor. James has served as a board member of the Omaha Community Playhouse since 2019 and has starred in several of their productions, including roles in ``Fences,'' ``Sweat,'' and ``Parade.''

He also is a board member for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries focusing on the promotion of Carol Joy Holling Camp, which provides Christian education, spiritual, psychological, social, personal, and professional development in an environment that is free of any discrimination based on race, religion, color, creed, disability, national origin, age, or ancestry.

Most importantly, James is a loving husband to his wife, Angie, and father of 7-year-old son, Lincoln. He offers much of the credit for his success to his mother, Sherry, a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, who taught him to stand up for himself and that through hard work and determination he could accomplish anything he set his mind to.

I want to add on a personal note, James is a great supervisor. He cares for people, he is strategic, and he has been a blessing as our district director running our Omaha office.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate James on his 20-plus years of service to his community and the Second Congressional District of Nebraska.

Mr. Speaker, 36 years ago this week, Saddam Hussein unleashed a nightmare upon the peaceful Kurdish town of Halabja, forever etching it into the annals of crimes against humanity. The atrocity perpetrated against the genocidal Anfal campaign stands as a stark reminder of the depths of cruelty that humanity is capable of.

The horrors inflicted upon the people of Halabja on that fateful day, as they were mercilessly attacked with mustard gas and nerve agents, resulted in the instantaneous loss of thousands of innocent lives.

Yet, the true extent of the devastation did not end there. For many survivors, the aftermath of the chemical onslaught continues to plague them, manifesting in debilitating health conditions, staggering rates of cancer, and haunting birth defects. The scars of Halabja run deep, both physically and emotionally, reverberating through the generations as a painful testament to the brutality of war.

But Halabja was not an isolated incident. It was but one chapter in the harrowing saga of the Anfal campaign. Over the course of 2 years, more than 180,000 civilians perished, their villages razed to the ground, and their way of life shattered beyond recognition.

The landscape of Kurdistan bears the indelible scars of this campaign of terror, a stark reminder of the price paid for silence in the face of evil.

As we gather today 36 years later to commemorate the victims of Halabja and the Anfal campaign, we must do more than mourn the loss. We must condemn unequivocally the genocide that was perpetrated against the Kurds and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the sanctity of human life.

Let us pledge to never again allow such horrors to unfold unchecked, to stand as guardians of peace and justice in a world too often marred by violence and indifference.

In honoring the memory of those who perished in Halabja, let us also honor the resilience of the survivors, whose spirit remains unbroken despite the unimaginable sufferings they have endured. May their courage inspire us to redouble our efforts in the pursuit of a future where atrocities like those committed in Halabja are but distant memories, never to be repeated again.

Mr. Speaker, I will also take a moment to thank our Kurd allies for their friendship and their partnership in the fight against ISIS, al- Qaida in Iraq and Shia militias in Iraq. I deployed four times, and the Kurds were our great allies, and I always will remain grateful.

Finally, today is March 21, the Kurdish New Year. The rich cultural heritage, resilience, and determination of the Kurdish people continue to inspire us all. I wish to congratulate the Kurds around the world a happy new year. May this new year bring you abundant blessings, renewed hope, and countless opportunities for growth and success. ``Happy New Year,'' in Kurdish, ``Newroz Piroz Bit.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a leader from our district who has created jobs and changed lives, all while growing the largest African-American-owned business in the State of Nebraska and the largest private mixed-use development investment in North Omaha.

Carmen Tapio is currently the CEO of North End Teleservices, which has soared to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies for the last 4 years, injecting over $306 million into Nebraska's economy.

She established Forever North Real Estate to help reimagine North Omaha and set it on a promising path where a community can work, live, and play. Her leadership is helping to reduce poverty, unemployment, and is changing the trajectory of families for generations to come.

Through developing the only Department of Labor registered apprenticeship in her industry, micro credentialing, and bringing people up through the organization, she is growing her own workforce and leadership.

Wanting to empower Black women across the State, Carmen ignited the formation of Nebraska Black Women United with a few phone calls, her own humble take on its formation. Today, over 800 women belong to the purpose-driven organization and continue to fan the flames of growth and support for Black women.

In addition, she founded the NET Work Spot, a premier coworking space nestled in the heart of the North Omaha community. The NET Work Spot exists for collaboration and to nurture the ingenuity of brilliant entrepreneurial minds.

Tapio lends her expertise by serving on various for-profit and nonprofit boards. She serves as the chair of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Omaha Zoological Society Board of Directors, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Omaha Branch Board of Directors, and the Werner Enterprises Board of Directors as chair of the ESG Committee. She is a Peter Kiewit Foundation trustee and serves on the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Board of Trustees, the University of Nebraska Trustee Foundation, and the Nebraska Medicine Board's Finance Committee, just to name a few.

This Women's History Month, she was recognized by the Governor of Nebraska and the Nebraskaland Foundation as the 2024 Distinguished Nebraskalander. She is the 2023 Inspire Awards Woman of the Year, 2022 Inspire Woman of the Year for Large Business, and the 2022 USA Today Nebraska Woman of the Year. She is a 2022 Omaha Business Hall of Fame Inductee, received the 2022 Black Women Legacy Award, and a 2022 Better Business Bureau Torch Award. She was recognized in the Forbes 2021 Next 1000 and the 2021 Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Leadership Awards.

She is incredible.

Carmen's parents instilled in her and each of her five sisters that they could do anything they set their minds to. She says that foundation cultivated her strong belief in the human spirit and that anything is possible. This is what she endeavors to teach people as she and her organization work to help people create a vision for their lives to advance their economic independence and career path.

Carmen and her husband, Bob, live with their dog, Bella, and enjoy traveling and gardening together.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to share the story of Ran Gvili. Ran is a 24-year-old who loves playing guitar and, like me, has a passion for motorcycles.

On October 7, Ran was waiting for an operation when he heard what was happening. He left the house to go help and became one of the more than 240 men, women, children, and elderly who were brutally kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.

He and 134 hostages are still held captive in Gaza, enduring unthinkable torture and trauma. I stand here today to demand that Hamas release Ran immediately, along with all the remaining hostages.

Those who have been released have shared horror stories about sexual abuse, children being forced to take drugs, and inhumane conditions.

We must stand with Israel as it works to destroy Hamas and free its citizens wrongfully held by the terror group.

Israel has proven its willingness to pause the fighting for hostages to be returned home. Despicably, Hamas broke the first hostage deal, just as it broke a cease-fire that was in place before October 7.

I call on all nations with ties to Hamas to increase the pressure on this terrorist group to immediately free all

those it is holding captive. It is time to bring Ran and all the hostages home.

Celebrating Contributions of John and Viv Ewing

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great couple from Omaha. It is my pleasure to rise during Black History Month to acknowledge the important contributions that African Americans have made and continue to make to American society. Today, I honor two extraordinary citizens, John and Dr. Viv Ewing, from Omaha, who have made long-lasting professional and personal contributions to the Second District of Nebraska.

In September 2024, John and Viv will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Guided by their faith, their marriage has been a demonstration of faith, service, and civic engagement. They have passed along their strong work ethic and communal leadership to their daughters, Christina and Alexandria, who also have extensive community service experience with the Salvation Army, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Girl Scouts of America, and the Open Door Mission.

John Ewing served the citizens of Omaha for 24 years, retiring as the deputy chief of police for the Omaha Police Department. During that time, he served as unit commander of the Special Victims Unit, investigating crimes committed against women and children, the most vulnerable of our society.

With this experience, John hoped to develop legislation to more effectively address crimes committed against women and children. Ten new State statutes have become law as a result of his effort to protect our citizens.

For 17 years, John has held public office as the Douglas County treasurer. In this role, he is responsible for the collection of over $1.7 billion in taxes for Douglas County, the largest county in my district.

John has continuously volunteered his time serving our community, having been involved in over 60 nonprofit boards.

Dr. Viv Ewing has devoted her professional career to serving communities across the Second District. Viv is currently the president and CEO at Children's Square U.S.A., a child welfare organization that provides programs and services for vulnerable children and families. She has previously served in nonprofit leadership positions at PromiseShip, Alzheimer's Association of Nebraska, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and many more notable organizations.

Viv is the founder and president of the Ewing Group, a consulting company that helps women, small business owners, corporations, universities, and organizations rise to success.

Viv understands the value of education and spent many years teaching at major universities and colleges. She is the author of a motivational book, ``Yes! You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too,'' in which she shares her strategies for achieving more success and fulfillment.

John and Viv Ewing are servant leaders and have worked on initiatives and volunteered for organizations that strengthen families, children, and the community, such as United Way, Great Plains Black History Museum, 100 Black Men of Omaha, Salvation Army North Corps, Siena Francis House, Child Saving Institute, Charles Drew Health Center, and more.

They have received many awards and accolades for their actions and recently were awarded the Face on the Barroom Floor by the Omaha Press Club. In addition, they both serve as associate ministers for Salem Baptist Church, which has played an important role in the history of African Americans in Omaha.

I thank John and Viv for their past, current, and future contributions to our city, State, and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5266, because the Federal prison system is in a crisis. Overdoses have skyrocketed 600 percent in prisons and jails, with 65 percent of inmates suffering from active substance abuse disorders.

The influx of fentanyl and contraband into the prisons through fentanyl-soaked mail and forged legal correspondence is a threat to inmates and our prison staff who risk exposure to tainted mail.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons deployed successful pilot programs at two Federal prisons which digitized all mail for 1 year. During the trial, 100 percent of fentanyl was intercepted, and no opioids or other drugs were introduced into the facilities via the mail.

I introduced H.R. 5266 with Representative Cartwright to ensure the safety of staff and inmates in custody. The bill calls for stringent inspection protocols to halt the flow of illicit substances. We must reverse the dangerous trend of drug consumption and trafficking in our prisons. I urge the House to embrace this legislation and pass it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the valiant actions of two Air Force officers from our community who placed their own physical safety on the back burner to save citizens from a burning vehicle crash.

Captain Zach Evans, a pilot with the 3rd Airlift Squadron, and Captain Joshua Saddler, a MQ-9 Reaper pilot with the 65th Special Operations Squadron, are not just heroes but are sons from Nebraska. I am proud to say that Captain Evans is a former member of our district staff.

When Zach joined the Air Force, I knew he would go far. Needless to say, Zach and Josh are both living up to, if not surpassing, all expectations and are bringing great honor to our community.

On May 5, Captain Zach Evans and Captain Joshua Saddler, good friends and graduates of the University of Nebraska, witnessed a truck driving erratically on a poorly lit road in Dover, Delaware. The truck swerved between lanes, crossing medians, and ignoring traffic signals.

Captain Evans and Captain Saddler called 911 to report the driver and kept a safe distance. However, the driver

soon ran a red light directly into an SUV, resulting in a burning two- car collision.

They pulled over, and along with two civilians, assisted the victims in both vehicles.

While Captain Saddler attended to the trapped people in the SUV, Captain Evans, at great personal risk to himself, sprinted to the burning truck to remove the suspected drunk driver, who had two broken legs, from the vehicle.

Thankfully, Captain Evans saved the man just before the truck became fully engulfed in flames. Captain Evans and Captain Saddler stayed with the victims until first responders arrived on scene and remained to direct traffic.

Captain Evans and Captain Saddler were each recognized on October 23 with the City of Dover Gold Medal for their lifesaving actions and were presented with the Dover Police Department's Distinguished Citizen Award.

I salute both Captain Zach Evans and Captain Joshua Saddler and the two civilians for their actions that day.

Recognizing Barbara Felden on her Retirement

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Barbara Felden, who, after 43 years of honorable service to our country as an enlisted airman in the Air Force and as a senior civilian liaison in Germany, is retiring.

I worked with Barbara starting in 2008 when I was commander of the 435th Air Base Wing at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Since 2011, she has been the Host Nation Advisor to the Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa.

At 21, Barbara, a German citizen, married to a U.S. airman, qualified to join the U.S. military service. She was assigned to Robins Air Force Base after basic training, and returned to Germany where she served in various liaison assignments, first as an interpreter, then taking on command-wide responsibilities dealing with Federal officials.

In 1948, she transferred to the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing liaison office where she developed first-time liaison initiatives with local communities, such as the organization of German civic leaders and familiarization to the United States.

One of Barbara's most challenging assignments was closing down the historic Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt and transferring their operations to Ramstein Air Base.

Barbara also served as director of the liaison for the U.S. Kaiserslautern Military Community, the largest military overseas community in the world.

During my time as commander at Ramstein, Barbara organized events and meetings with the community. I recall that one time she helped arrange for me to deliver the opening remarks at the world's largest wine festival where I had the opportunity to lead a parade and conduct the orchestra.

Barbara has provided critical support and assistance for a variety of major projects during her tenure at headquarters for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa.

During the COVID pandemic, she liaised with Federal and State officials to ensure military missions could continue, while ensuring alignment with the host nation protective measures.

In the late summer of 2021, the emergency evacuation of Afghan nationals to Ramstein Air Base presented many challenges for Ms. Felden and her team. While initial expectations were for 5,000 evacuees, about 35,000 people were actually processed at Ramstein.

Barbara has always displayed the utmost professionalism in the various positions she held during her 43 years. I am proud of her accomplishments, and I am honored to call her and her husband, Claude, my friends. I salute you both. I thank Barbara for all she has done in her stellar career.

Madam Speaker, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, I recognize Blanca M. Hernandez-Adame for all her tremendous work in Nebraska's Second Congressional District. Blanca's determination and kind-hearted nature have benefited our community for years.

Born in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, from a very early age, Blanca showed signs of being a natural-born leader. She always stood out among her peers in the different activities, groups, or social clubs she participated in.

Blanca has three children: Eros, Daniel, and Camila. She is a strong woman of faith and puts God first in everything she does. One of the most important people in Blanca's life is her mother, who has been present through good times and bad times for her whole life.

In 1995, Blanca began law school at the Universidad Autonoma de Guerrero and demonstrated an interest in politics. She became involved in Mexican politics and volunteered in campaigns for senators, state Governors, rectors of the University of Guerrero, and even the Presidency of the Mexican Republic in Mexico.

Blanca graduated from law school in 1999 and had the opportunity to work for some of the most essential people in the State of Guerrero as a trusted staff member. Later that year, due to the economic situation, Blanca left Mexico for the United States to pursue opportunities for herself and her family.

In 2000, she began working in a packinghouse. Blanca has the utmost respect for people who work in these places, as they can be very repetitive jobs and hard work. Some stay in the same place, doing the same movement for 8 to 10 hours every day for weeks, months, and even years. Every day that she spent at the packinghouse, she became more convinced that she had to learn English and that if she didn't, she would stay there forever working in a very difficult job.

She began taking English classes at night after a long day at the packing plant, but one of Blanca's strengths is her persistence. She knew that the effort would be worth it, so little by little she learned to speak English and became a representative of the workers' union at the packing plant.

From there, she became active in our community in South Omaha. For 6 years, she served on the board of directors of the One World Clinic in Omaha. She volunteered in different community groups, nonprofit organizations, and is the founder of the Queens of Cinco de Mayo contest, one of the most important events in the Latino community of South Omaha.

In 2016--and this is where we want to focus because she has done so much great work here--she founded Generation Diamond to help people reenter our community after incarceration. She believes that her participants are diamonds in the rough that only need to be polished to shine. In just 7 years, Generation Diamond is one of the only organizations in Nebraska that helps the formerly incarcerated remove tattoos free of charge and covers basic needs, such as food and clothing. Services are offered in both English and Spanish, with a focus on building the Latino community. They are able to help fund employment and offer classes in trauma, finances, and stress reduction to give those they serve a glimmer of hope and the ability to remain in the community. Generation Diamond has grown rapidly, providing 1,020 services last month alone.

Madam Speaker, I thank Blanca for her hard work and determination to make our community better, and for investing in so many people and giving them a second chance. I am eager to see the growth and positive impact Generation Diamond will have in my district.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here in support of this resolution today. I look forward to welcoming the President of Israel tomorrow and hearing his message.

I also stand here in support of this resolution condemning the comments that Israel is a racist country. It is not. We all stand here today united against anti-Semitism and the evil that it represents. It is repugnant.

Mr. Speaker, I will make clear today from my perspective why it is so important to stand with our ally Israel. We have practical reasons, moral reasons, and spiritual reasons--practical in that Israel is the only nation in the region that shares our democratic values, the values of rule of law and human dignity. It is a win-win relationship.

We gain from it, they gain from it, and our countries are stronger together.

It is moral because for thousands of years, the Jews were repressed, discriminated against, abused, and murdered. The nation of Israel was put together to be a safe haven from all over the world where they could go, and that remains true today.

I would say it is spiritual, for I believe in the words of the Torah and our Old Testament when it says that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and, indeed, America has been blessed.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of this resolution, and I appreciate my friend from Texas who is a fellow Air Force veteran who put this together.

Mr. Chairman, I regret I have to oppose my colleague from Tennessee's amendment. I believe it is in our national security interest that Ukraine remains independent. If they fall, what happens next? What does the bully do next?

He threatens the Baltics. He has already called them renegade states. That is a threat. You stop a bully when he is pushing you around. That is what Putin is doing. He invaded a country one-forth the size of Russia in population. They cannot win without our help. It is not Americans doing the

fighting, it is Ukrainians doing the fighting, but they cannot prevail without our material support.

Thus far, we have provided about 5 percent of what our military budget equates to. For 5 percent, half of Russia's tanks have been destroyed and almost 200,000 Russians have been killed while they are invading the Ukrainians.

We have spent this money in a way that is helping our national interests prevail, and it is helping Ukraine survive. It will prevent what I believe is the next phase, if we stop him here, which is the Baltics or Poland.

Mr. Chairman, I recommend that my colleagues vote against this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I stand in strong opposition to this bill, as someone who had nuclear command and

control authorities when I was a general officer in the Air Force, as someone who knows that nuclear and strategic deterrence is job number one for our military.

Today, China is building a nuclear force to match ours and is more modernized. Russia has a nuclear force today that matches ours in numbers and is more modernized. This is not the time to reduce.

Former STRATCOM Commander Admiral Richard said the Chinese nuclear expansion is breathtaking, and it is. Today is the day that we have to modernize our forces, not talk about reducing them or cutting them down.

I also point out that our ICBM force offers the highest rates of readiness and alert capabilities. Once they are put in, they are the cheapest to operate.

Mr. Chair, I urge defeat of this amendment. Our country cannot afford it. Strategic deterrence can't afford it. Nuclear deterrence can't afford it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Major General Daryl Bohac, the Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard, on the occasion of his retirement after serving in this position since July of 2013 and as an Air Force officer for 35 years. As the Adjutant General, he is the senior military officer for the more than 4,500 Army and Air National Guard personnel serving in the state of Nebraska and during his tenure, the Nebraska National Guard deployed over 1,300 Soldiers and over 2,000 Airmen for worldwide combat and peacekeeping missions.

General Bohac is a visionary leader who successfully garnered more than $45 million to modernize and enhance the National Guard in Nebraska to meet and sustain future requirements by constructing a new vehicle maintenance facility in North Platte, Nebraska, a new multi- mission Readiness Center in Bellevue,

Nebraska, and new barracks in Mead, Nebraska.

General Bohac and the Nebraska National Guard's disaster response capabilities were tested most notably when a state of emergency was declared following a ``bomb cyclone'' that hit the state in March of 2019, causing severe blizzard conditions in the western panhandle with extreme thunderstorms and historic flooding in the east. More than 450 Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen executed 113 flood-related missions, the most significant disaster response operation in state history. In the wake of the 2019 historic floods, he successfully advocated for more than $43 million in funding to rapidly reconstruct the decimated facilities at Camp Ashland in record time, while also rebuilding the levee to be more robust and resilient to future floods.

On the heels of this historic disaster, the Nebraska National Guard was called upon to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic and response. The National Guard partnered with the University of Nebraska Medical Center in providing Camp Ashland facilities as an initial housing location for 57 Americans evacuated from Wuhan, China. Further, Major General Bohac worked with the Governor, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other state agencies to set up a State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate and manage COVID-19 emergency actions in Nebraska, directing Soldiers, Airmen, and Emergency Management civilians in response planning, mobile testing teams, personal protective equipment distribution, food bank support, and housing accommodations.

I thank General Bohac for his many years of sacrifice and service to our Nation and the state of Nebraska. We owe him a debt of gratitude we can never repay for his impactful leadership and achievements that will be felt for many future generations.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Rutherford for leading tonight's Special Order and being the expert on law enforcement issues. We came in together, and I look to the gentleman for doing the right thing to support our police. I appreciate Mr. Pascrell, too. We worked a lot on traumatic brain injury and law enforcement issues. We find areas to agree on. I know Mr. Gottheimer is getting up here soon, and he is also a partner in many of our policies that we need to work on together.

I rise today in honor of our police, the men and women who walk the streets of our communities to keep us safe. Those who leave their families do so every day to protect ours.

In particular, I recognize the 556 officers who never returned to their families last year, including Saunders County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Hermanson, who passed away. He was a K9 handler and a volunteer firefighter. Deputy Hermanson was best remembered as a respected officer dedicated to his job.

The best way we can honor those who give their lives, and their families, is to introduce legislation that better protects them on the job and prepares them for their profession and protects them in retirement.

This Congress I introduced H.R. 355, the Back the Blue Act of 2023, which makes it a Federal crime to kill, attempt to kill, or conspire to kill a Federal judge, a Federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer. Criminals who cause harm or death to our officers should face punishment to the fullest extent of the law.

Mr. Rutherford talked earlier about all these ambushes. This is unacceptable. They must be held accountable. Our police are also facing radical attacks, and there are growing calls for them to be defunded.

Let us be absolutely clear: We stand with our police.

I am an original cosponsor of the Invest to Protect Act which would direct the Department of Justice to establish a grant program to aid police departments with fewer than 200 law enforcement officers. I am also a cosponsor of the EAGLE Act of 2023 to assist with the accreditation of small and midsize police departments.

Unfortunately, there is an effort to eliminate the protections of qualified immunity for police officers. Let's be clear. Qualified immunity is not a blank check allowing law enforcement officers to do what they want. It only protects them for personal liability if they have not violated clearly established policies.

Without it, law enforcement officers would face a deluge of civil suits for simply doing their jobs.

I am a cosponsor of the Qualified Immunity Act, which would codify qualified immunity protections for law enforcement.

We are seeing a rise of crime across the Nation. In contrast, I want to brag on our Omaha Police Department, which has worked with the community to lower crime rates.

Fifteen years ago, the Omaha Police Department partnered with Empowerment Network 360 to foster relationships with neighborhood organizations, nonprofits, and churches. Coupled with solid support from the Omaha city administration, they have the funding to do the work they have identified through these relationships as vital to lowering gun violence. They are now a model of success for reducing homicides and violent crime in the city.

Recently mentioned on ABC, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal, we are one of the few large cities that have seen a drop in gun violence and crime. In 2022, there were 90 citywide shootings, down from 191 just 13 years ago. Even more impressive is that the homicide clearance rates are now at 87 percent in 2022. It shows our police are working hard and are professionals.

My family has been a victim of crime twice, both times when I was deployed in the Middle East during my time in the Air Force. I will take this time to thank the law enforcement officers who are there at people's worst times in their lives. In my case, I was gone both times when my family was a victim of crime. I was unable to help, but I knew the police were there to support my wife and our kids, and we are grateful. I know this is the story of Americans from coast to coast, Hawaii and Alaska.

These legislative actions, in addition to the work of our local law enforcement and community advocates, can lead to safer communities and help ensure that our law enforcement officers are able to return home to their loved ones.

Tonight, we say to our police, our law enforcement, that we thank them. We love them, and we are grateful for what they do day in and day out.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my great friend and leader from South Carolina for yielding time, and I appreciate the Speaker pro tempore leading us tonight.

Mr. Speaker, 75 years ago, the nation of Israel began anew, and it was a miracle. It was more than two millennia since Israel existed after the Romans sacked Jerusalem.

It was a miracle that Israel survived after gaining its independence in 1948 when all of its neighbors invaded with a goal of erasing the new Israel off the map.

Israel prevailed then and has many more times when the odds looked bleak. It is a miracle today that Israel has become one of the wealthiest economies in the world and a regional power. Israel is a miracle, and I thank God for it.

One of our previous Presidents said we need light between the United States and Israel, and today, I say unambiguously that I disagree. I believe that we should stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally.

We must support the security of Israel. America must stand closely by Israel when it is surrounded by many adversaries.

We can never forget that, over two millennia, when there was no Israel, Jews were targeted, abused, and often murdered throughout many places in the world.

Jewish history will not forget what happened in Kishinev in 1903, where 49 were murdered and hundreds were injured or raped, or in Odessa in 1905, where 400 Jews were murdered and 1,600 homes destroyed.

There are many of these barbaric examples, and we must never forget what happened in the 1930s and 1940s, where half of the Jewish population in Europe was murdered by the hands of the Nazis.

Israel is a safe haven today for the Jewish people from anywhere in the world where anti-Semitism and repression exist, and America must help make this safe haven secure.

In our support of Israel, we make clear the following:

We oppose Iran gaining a nuclear weapon while it threatens to wipe Israel off the map.

We oppose Iran's terrorism that seeks to murder Israelis and Americans.

We condemn the blood money that the Palestinian Authority pays to those who murder innocent Israelis and visiting tourists.

We oppose the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement that seeks to isolate and weaken Israel.

We oppose all forms of anti-Semitism that we see today, and much of it is cloaked in anti-Zionist rhetoric.

Today, our two countries are allies. It is a win-win relationship where both countries come out stronger.

Let's remember Israel is the only democracy in the region, and they share our values. Congratulations to our friends in Israel on their 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize six individuals for Asian Pacific Heritage Month for their contributions to the Second Congressional District of Nebraska. All of these individuals mentioned their humble beginnings and their love for America. Each of these honorees have made significant contributions to the District through selfless contributions and hard work to benefit others. By sharing their culture and helping others, they have benefitted all of America.

Nebraska State Senator Rita Sanders, a Philippine American born in Hawaii who resides in Bellevue, has been married to her husband for 25 years. Her grandparents immigrated from the Philippines to Hawaii, where her grandfather worked in the sugar cane industry and her grandmother in the coffee industry. They worked their way up and eventually owned a coffee farm.

Rita's father was born and raised in Hawaii, later joining the United States Army. While on deployment in Germany he met Rita's mother, where they later married and moved to Hawaii.

Senator Sanders is honored to be a member of the U.S. STRATCOM Consultation Committee, the Offutt Advisory Council and the UNMC Board of Counselors. She served as mayor for the city of Bellevue from 2010 to 2018. While currently serving as the state senator for Nebraska's 45th district, Rita and her husband are commercial real estate developers in their spare time.

As mayor of Bellevue, Senator Sanders worked to return the famed ``Bells of Balangiga'' to the Philippines. While Filipinos have been one of the United States strongest allies since World War II, the return of the bells had been a friction point in relations with the Philippines.

The return of the bells started with a meeting she had with President Duterte of the Philippines, included a formal ceremony with Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Cheyenne, Wyoming announcing the authorization to return the bells, and ended with a ceremony she attended in Balangiga in East Samar, Philippines. After 117 years since being taken by the United States, they were finally returned home where they rightfully belonged, thanks to the hard work and leadership of Senator Sanders.

Dr. Joanne Li is a native of Hong Kong and became University of Nebraska Omaha's Chancellor in July 2021. She is the first woman of color to serve as UNO chancellor and the first Asian-American in the history of the University of Nebraska System to hold an executive leadership role. Dr. Li has a passion for serving learners of all ages among all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr. Li's parents escaped Communist China as young teenagers. Education was not something her parents could afford for themselves. At a young age, Joanne yearned for a desire to see the world. She enjoyed literature written in different languages and dreamed of being something bigger than herself. Being a rebel at heart, she took a chance to join one of her best friends from Hong Kong and came to the U.S. to start her higher education journey.

Receiving full ride scholarships throughout her higher education journey, Dr. Li graduated with summa cum laude with a major in finance and a minor in economics from Florida State University. Her Ph.D. is also from Florida State University, in Finance with a support area in Econometrics. As a Chartered Financial Analyst, Dr. Li's areas of research interests include corporate governance, executive compensation, banking and investments, and international finance. She has held faculty positions at institutions including Loyola University, Towson University, Wright State University, Florida International University, and UNO.

In addition to her accomplishments as an administrator in higher education, Dr. Li is also a highly engaged leader and scholar who lends her experience to a wide array of causes and organizations including Women in Business (WiBe), the CNBC's Financial Wellness Council, the Higher Learning Commission's (HLC) Board of Trustees; the Board of Directors for the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU); the Board of Directors for Opera Omaha; and the Board of Directors of the Omaha Symphony. She serves as a member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Global Network Americas Advisory Board; a founding member of the International Advisory Council of the Lisbon School of Economics and Management in Portugal and the National Sun Yat-Sen University in Taiwan. Most recently, Dr. Li joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Board of Directors for the Omaha Branch.

The death of his father due to a cardiac event is what drove Indian American Dr. Deepak Gangahar to become a Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon with special emphasis on cardiac surgery. His mother, who had no formal schooling, was his confidant and trusted friend, ensuring Dr. Gangahar never felt lacking in any way.

Dr. Gangahar completed medical school in India and immigrated to America in 1971 for post graduate education in General Surgery. He then pursued a fellowship in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

Having grown up in a small town and in an agricultural state, Dr. Gangahar and his wife found shared social values, work ethics and ideal opportunities in Nebraska. Dr. Gangahar and his colleagues cofounded the Nebraska Heart Institute and the Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln, which became the premium group in Mid-West in the field of Adult Thoracic and Cardiovascular diseases from catheterbased interventions to Heart & Lung Transplantation and Mechanical Hearts. Now retired, Dr. Gangahar works with TeamMates, a school based mentoring program founded by Coach Tom and Nancy Osborne. In addition, he enjoys working with new Start-Up companies, primarily in the medical field to make healthcare safer and efficient.

Dr. Gangahar credits who he is today to the value he got from his parents, mentoring from his teachers and elders, and the opportunity of freedom to choose from his country of choice, the United States of America.

Chinese American Hong Zheng came to the United States in 1992 at the age of 19. He opened his first Chinese restaurant in Missouri 1998 and subsequently moved to Omaha in 2000 to start new restaurants and a grocery business. He currently owns seven Asian restaurants and five Asian Chain Supermarkets across the Midwest region.

He has been an active member in Nebraska Chinese Association since 2008 and was elected as Chairman of Board for NCA for four years. He has been an Honorable Chairman since then and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Bellevue University.

Hong says he appreciates the opportunity to live the American dream, especially as he knows how difficult it can be for new immigrants to adapt and thrive in a foreign country. That is why he serves his community--to give back and assist other immigrants and help them succeed.

In 2019, Hong helped raise money for local flood victims and in 2020 he coordinated the donation of over 25,000 masks and PPE to local health clinics and hospitals. He sponsored the One Community Culture Festival in 2019 and 2022 to celebrate culture and diversity. Finally, he has sponsored scholarship programs at Bellevue University for local and international students in need since 2019.

Born and raised in Vietnam during the war, Huong Truong understood the importance of responsibility to her family and helping with household tasks while also attending school 5 kilometers away. She is an avid reader and sports enthusiast who gained a deeper understanding of American people, customs, and history. She was so impressed by the intelligence and emotional deaths of Americans,

which led her to pursue her American dream, arriving in the United States in 2001.

In one year, Huong earned $42,000 from her job and was able to buy a house and car for her family. She then became the owner of a nail salon and met her husband, Nick. Together they operate King Kong Restaurant and have three daughters and a son.

Huong is very passionate about helping others and volunteering is a personal mission for her. She is currently helping six families who are facing difficult circumstances, including a 107 year old woman who needed assistance with money and medicine. Huong said she feels blessed by God with good health and a kind heart and is grateful to America for giving her the opportunity to live her dream.

Born in North Korea in 1938, Sung Jo and his family fled to South Korea in 1946 to join his father, who had fled a year earlier after facing arrest from Communist police. His father's crime? Giving a speech celebrating the liberation from 35 years of Japanese rule- something we call freedom of speech.

At 21 years old, Sung Jo was drafted by the Korean Army and served for 18 months. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in English Literature in 1963. He started working for the Holt Adoption Program in Seoul and went to the United States in 1967 and was responsible for bringing orphaned Korean children to their adoptive parents. His family joined him in July 1969, and he became a U.S. citizen in 1974.

Sung Jo started working at Nebraska Machine Production in 1972 and served as Chair of the Korean Association of Nebraska from 1995 to 1996, and as a member of the Board of Directors in 1997. In 2002, he volunteered as an interpreter at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan in South Korea and from 2003 to 2014 he served as the Chair of the Omaha Korean American Senior Group.

In 2005 he became a Lifelong member of the National Korean War Veterans Association and received a citation in 2007 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his services to the Korean American community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Korean War Veterans Association.

Sung Jo wanted to continue to serve as a liaison between the Korean War Veterans Association and Korean American community, so he donated face masks for Korean War veterans who could not leave their homes during the COVID pandemic.

I salute and thank each of these six honorees for their service and dedication to not only Asian Pacific communities and the Second District of Nebraska, but to America.