Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Nashville Town Councilman and Pastor Xavien Harrison, who passed away on August 11, 2026. He was 53 years old. I join the Nash County community in mourning his passing and in honoring a life devoted to service, faith, and community.

Xavien was a devoted public servant, pastor, and advocate for young people who believed deeply in the power of community. A graduate of Shaw University, he brought a wide range of experience to his ministry and his public service, including backgrounds in law enforcement and middle school education. As a youth pastor, he invested in the next generation, helping young people see their full potential. He served as a board member for the Down East Partnership for Children in Rocky Mount, helping ensure children have the opportunities they need to learn and succeed. He also volunteered as an All Pro Dads facilitator and supported the Nash Central Middle School Parent Teacher Organization.

He brought that same spirit of service to the Nashville Town Council, where he was first elected in 2023, and to his role as pastor at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church. Xavien worked to build partnerships and authentic relationships that made his community stronger. Colleagues and friends remember him for his honesty, encouragement, and genuine commitment to building meaningful relationships.

His compassion and commitment to Nashville left a lasting mark on eastern North Carolina. Xavien's legacy lives on in the young people he mentored, the neighbors he served, and the community he worked tirelessly to strengthen.

Mr. Speaker, we pray for Jacquetta, his family, the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church, and the people of Nashville. We stand with them during this difficult time. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Xavien Harrison.

Mr. Speaker, soybean growers across eastern North Carolina and our Nation are facing rising input costs, global competition, and continued uncertainty.

A stable and mutually beneficial trade relationship requires sustained

access to commercial markets and greater certainty.

Mr. Speaker, I urge President Trump, ahead of his meeting with President Xi Jinping, to secure a clear and verifiable timeline for China to fulfill its purchasing commitments and remove the 10 percent tariff on soybeans.

Agriculture is the economic backbone of eastern North Carolina, and our farmers would rather compete in the marketplace than rely on emergency assistance due to trade disruptions.

With fair, predictable terms, our producers can compete anywhere in the world.

Mr. Speaker, soybean growers across eastern North Carolina and our Nation are facing rising input costs, global competition, and continued uncertainty.

A stable and mutually beneficial trade relationship requires sustained access to commercial markets and greater certainty.

Mr. Speaker, I urge President Trump, ahead of his meeting with President Xi Jinping, to secure a clear and verifiable timeline for China to fulfill its purchasing commitments and remove the 10 percent tariff on soybeans.

Agriculture is the economic backbone of eastern North Carolina, and our farmers would rather compete in the marketplace than rely on emergency assistance due to trade disruptions.

With fair, predictable terms, our producers can compete anywhere in the world.

Mr. Speaker, Ricky Parks of Rocky Mount is a true servant whose life has been defined by duty, courage, and selfless service.

Ricky was honored with a special quilt, ``A Thin Blue Line,'' from the Tar River Peacemakers Quilting Guild, honoring his service to the community, eastern North Carolina, and our State.

He was also instrumental in helping to start the Ride of Honor in Nash County, which honors our veterans.

For more than 37 years, Ricky has served in law enforcement, mostly on patrol. His commitment to public service continued when he was appointed marshal of the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Through every chapter of his life, Ricky has answered the call to serve.

I thank Ricky and his wife, Rebecca, for a lifetime of service, and I congratulate them on being great Americans.

Mr. Speaker, exciting news: Lockheed Martin brought an F-35 Lightning II cockpit demonstrator to LCC's Senator Jim Perry Aviation Center for Excellence at the North Carolina Global TransPark.

Flying this simulator with Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt was a powerful reminder that the future of American aviation and our national defense is stronger because of eastern North Carolina.

The F-35 is central to the modernization of Marine Corps aviation, and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is preparing to support F-35 squadrons as part of this transformation.

Such investment strengthens our national security while supporting skilled jobs, innovation, and economic opportunity.

We are extremely proud of our Marines and proud that eastern North Carolina continues to play a vital role in our Nation's defense.

Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Boating Caucus, I am so proud to recognize Spencer Yachts, Bayliss Boatworks, and the skilled men and women who keep eastern North Carolina's boatbuilding tradition alive and strong.

Boatbuilding is more than an industry. It is part of our coastal heritage, our economy, and our way of life. Visiting these businesses, I saw firsthand the craftsmanship, innovation, and pride that goes into building world-class boats.

These companies support good-paying jobs, train skilled workers, and strengthen communities across eastern North Carolina. They also showcase what American manufacturing can accomplish when we protect our coastal economy and preserve our rich maritime heritage.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I honor the life and legacy of Nashville town councilman and pastor, Xavien Harrison.

Xavien was a devoted public servant, pastor, and advocate for young people who believed in the power of community. He truly invested in the next generation, helping young people to see their full potential.

He brought the same spirit of service to the Nashville Town Council, where he worked to build partnerships and make his community stronger. His faith, compassion, and commitment to Nashville left a lasting mark on eastern North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, we pray for Jacquetta, his family, the Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church, and the people of Nashville, and we stand with them.

Mr. Speaker, I stand with the cattle producers of eastern North Carolina and those across America who work hard every day to put American beef on our tables.

Family farmers should not have to compete against a surge of foreign beef that could pressure domestic markets and threaten their livelihoods. With as much as 300,000 metric tons of beef entering the United States over the next 90 days, cattlemen have every right to be upset.

I met with eastern North Carolina cattle producers to hear their concerns and discuss how we can protect family farms, ensure fair competition, and strengthen our domestic beef industry.

American ranchers work hard to feed our families and strengthen our rural communities, and they deserve respect and a fair shot in the marketplace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Nash County EMS Director Dale Griffin, who passed away on August 8, 2026. I join the Nash County community in mourning Dale's passing and in remembering his decades of dedicated service to the people of Nash County.

Dale dedicated nearly four decades of his life to emergency medical services and to caring for the people of Nash County. He joined Nash County EMS as a paramedic in 1988 and went on to serve as a training program manager and operations officer before becoming EMS Director in 2023. Throughout his career, Dale demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his profession and to the people he served.

Dale was much more than a dedicated EMS professional. He was a leader, mentor, and friend to generations of emergency medical professionals. He believed in those he worked alongside, invested in their growth, and stood beside them through some of their most difficult moments. He was known for his leadership, kindness, humor, and genuine love for others, which left a lasting impression on Nash County EMS and the broader emergency services community. The careers he helped shape, the patients he served, and the colleagues he mentored are a lasting part of his legacy.

Dale's passing is deeply felt in Nash County and by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Julie; his daughters, Harlee and Grace; his entire family; and his Nash County EMS family during this difficult time. I hope they find comfort in knowing that Dale's life of service touched countless lives and that his legacy will continue through the people and community he served so faithfully.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Dale Griffin and in keeping his loved ones, colleagues, and friends in their thoughts and prayers. His commitment to serving others will not be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to live on in the Nash County EMS community he devoted so much of his life to.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and service of Major Alexander ``SMO'' Davis. I include in the Record the following obituary:

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of

Major Alexander ``SMO'' Davis, 34, of Lancaster, California--

formerly of Goldsboro, North Carolina--on Monday, June 15,

2026. Major Davis made the ultimate sacrifice while serving

his country when the B-52 Stratofortress he was serving

aboard crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, claiming the lives

of all eight crewmembers on board

Alexander Wesley Davis was born on February 10, 1992, in

Hartford, Connecticut, to Douglas and Karen Davis. In 1994,

his family moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina, the city he

considered his hometown. He attended Saint Mary School in

Goldsboro from the age of three through eighth grade. He went

on to graduate from Charles B. Aycock High School, where he

played football as a lineman, competed on the track and field

team as a shot-putter, and excelled academically, earning

induction into the National Honor Society. His leadership and

drive were evident in his youth, as he earned the rank of

Eagle Scout in 2009. Upon graduation, he answered the call to

serve his nation through an Air Force Reserve Officers'

Training Corps scholarship to North Carolina State

University. Alex graduated in 2015 with a B.S. in Aerospace

Engineering, and earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant

in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, Alex

continued his studies, earning a Master of Science in Space

Studies from American Military University and a Master of

Science in Flight Test Engineering from the United States Air

Force Test Pilot School.

Throughout his distinguished career, Alex served as a

Weapon Systems Officer with the 69th Bomber Squadron at Minot

Air Force Base and, most recently, the 419th Flight Test

Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base. He trained as a Combat

Systems Officer at Pensacola Naval Air Station and as a

Weapon Systems Officer on the B-52 at Barksdale Air Force

Base before deploying to Al Udeid, Qatar, where he flew

combat missions. He later deployed to Andersen Air Force Base

on Guam and Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. In 2022,

Alex was selected for the United States Air Force Test Pilot

School at Edwards Air Force Base, joining the 22A class. Upon

completing Test Pilot School, he served with the 419th Flight

Test Squadron in support of the B-52 Stratofortress

modernization program. He was promoted to Major in April

2025.

Alex earned numerous decorations and awards throughout his

career, including the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement

Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was deeply

respected by colleagues and senior officers alike for his

dedication, leadership, professionalism, and expertise. He

lived by the Air Force core values of Integrity First,

Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Dorethea Branch of La Grange who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

For a century, Mrs. Branch has exemplified the values that strengthen our communities: faith, perseverance, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to serving others. Her remarkable life stands as a testament to the profound difference one person can make through leadership and unwavering dedication.

Born in Dudley, North Carolina, on July 5, 1926, Mrs. Branch has called La Grange home for nearly eight decades. Alongside her beloved late husband, Ira Daniel Branch, Jr., she built both a successful family business and a life rooted in service. Together they operated Branch's Grocery Store for more than half a century, creating a neighborhood institution that continues to serve the community today under her ownership.

Mrs. Branch also devoted nearly 30 years to public service with the State of North Carolina. From her work as a social worker to her leadership as Director of Dobbs School in Kinston and later as a division director at the O'Berry Center in Goldsboro, she dedicated her career to improving opportunities and outcomes for some of our State's most vulnerable citizens. Her compassion, professionalism, and commitment earned the respect of colleagues and those whose lives she touched.

Her influence reaches far beyond her professional accomplishments. Mrs. Branch is an active member of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in La Grange. She is an Emerita Member of the Board of Mothers and a former president of both the Lela Moore Home Mission Circle and the Daughters of Ebenezer. She has also broken barriers through her civic leadership, becoming the first African American member of the Board of Trustees of UNC Health Lenoir while lending her wisdom and experience to numerous local and statewide boards, commissions, and community organizations.

The many honors she has received over the years reflect a lifetime of extraordinary service. Her century of leadership reminds us that lasting change is built through integrity, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to the common good.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mrs. Branch on the extraordinary occasion of her 100th birthday. On behalf of the 1st Congressional District of North Carolina, I thank her for her lifetime of service and wish her continued health, happiness, and many more blessings in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the remarkable life of Dorethea Branch of La Grange, North Carolina, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

She has lived a life defined by faith, service, and a steadfast commitment to her community.

As a social worker, educator, businessowner, and civic leader, she broke barriers, including becoming the first African-American member of the board of trustees at UNC Health Lenoir.

Through decades of volunteer service and leadership, she strengthened lives and opened doors for others.

I wish Dorethea Branch a joyful 100th birthday and thank her for a century of faith, love, and service that continues to inspire eastern North Carolina and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I celebrate Sarah Finch of Vance County, the winner of North Carolina's First Congressional District Art Competition.

Her remarkable painting, ``Bloom After Abandonment,'' portrays a Ford Ranger left in Mother Nature's care, reminding us that even after something is forgotten, beauty and new life can still emerge.

Sarah's artwork reflects not only extraordinary talent but also the creativity, resilience, and promise of the next generation in eastern North Carolina.

May her achievement encourage other young artists to pursue their dreams, to share their unique stories, and to never underestimate the power of their creativity.

I congratulate Sarah and thank her for reminding us that hope can bloom in the most unexpected places.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Army veteran Van Buren Anderson, Jr., of Tarboro who recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

As a young Army sergeant, Mr. Anderson answered our Nation's call and served in Japan following World War II.

Arriving in Nagasaki in the aftermath of the war, he witnessed firsthand the devastating cost of conflict, a memory that has remained with him throughout his life.

Returning home to Edgecombe County, Mr. Anderson helped establish the Edgecombe County Rescue Squad that would save countless lives and serve generations of eastern North Carolinians.

Whether wearing the uniform of the United States Army or volunteering in his hometown, Mr. Anderson lived by a simple principle: When people needed help, he stepped forward to provide a helping hand, and we will always be grateful.

Mr. Speaker, the Town of Hookerton and all of Greene County mourn the passing of Mayor Robert ``Bob'' Taylor.

Bob was a dear friend, and it was a privilege to know a man whose life reflected faith, hard work, and service to others.

Born and raised in Greene County, he answered our Nation's call to serve in the United States Army before returning home to serve the community he loved.

Whether protecting his neighbors through the Hookerton Fire Department, mentoring young people in his church, or faithfully serving as mayor for 17 years, Bob always put others first.

Mr. Speaker, his leadership was never about recognition. It was simply about making Hookerton a better place.

Above all, Bob was a devoted husband to Carolyn for 65 years, a loving father and grandfather, and a man whose Christian faith shaped every chapter of his life. I extend my deepest condolences to his family.