Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, farmers across North Carolina have had extreme difficulty, especially over the past 2 years, due to increased input costs and lower prices for their crops and products.

Drought withered tobacco, corn, and other crops across eastern North Carolina, and farmers are still struggling after Hurricane Helene.

If that is not enough, our farmers have fed the American people for Thanksgiving, and in return, they received the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate for 2025. In North Carolina, we are talking about an increase of 2.17 percent.

Mr. Speaker, too many are hurting trying to find out how to keep their family farms operating.

Agriculture is North Carolina's leading industry. We must help our farmers.

I urge Congress to address the immediate need for disaster assistance for our agricultural community in North Carolina and to hit pause on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate.

Madam Speaker, while many of us joined our families and friends for Thanksgiving, first responders and 911 telecommunicators reported for duty to keep our communities safe.

During our second annual Pies of Thanks, we traveled and extended Thanksgiving greetings to them in all 19 counties in North Carolina's First Congressional District on the same day.

We delivered pies to those working to show our unyielding appreciation for all of the fantastic work they do.

We must always join in demonstrating our genuine gratitude to the unsung heroes of our communities.

Thank you to our first responders and 911 telecommunicators, who are often the first responders of our first responders, across eastern North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the teachers, education support professionals, family volunteers, and above all, learners at all levels.

As we celebrate American Education Week, it is essential to reflect on how education shapes our future. Education is a lifeline, especially in eastern North Carolina.

Our communities demonstrate enormous resilience and a deep commitment to the success of learners. Educators work tirelessly to create an environment where every learner can live the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate American Education Week in eastern North Carolina, we are so excited to break ground today for the East Carolina University Center for Medical Education building.

Indeed, education is a pathway to personal success and building a stronger economy. We must continue to support and uplift education in America.

Mr. Speaker, during a Veterans Service Officer Roundtable held in my district earlier this year, a constituent expressed concern about the difficulty he and his fellow veterans had traveling to access healthcare. In response, we took action and introduced the Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act, which expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' Highly Rural Transportation Grants program and helps veterans in remote areas travel to the VA or VA- authorized healthcare facilities for their appointments.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress to pass this essential legislation. We must help our veterans, regardless of their ZIP Code or crossroads.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address an issue of great importance to the veterans in North Carolina's First Congressional District and across our Nation: veteran homelessness.

In traveling across my district, I have heard from veterans and constituents about how unacceptable it is that so many veterans who have put their lives on the line for our freedoms are without homes.

While recent data from the VA shows a nearly 60 percent reduction in the unhoused, there is still so much work to be done.

The House overwhelmingly passed H.R. 8371. It requires the VA to implement a strategic plan expanding services to help veterans secure permanent housing, access basic needs, and receive healthcare and job support. Congress must continue to support such legislation to end veteran homelessness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart as we have witnessed the devastating impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

These storms have wreaked havoc with homes lost, businesses destroyed,

and lives upended. Tragically, over 200 people were killed, and the damage is estimated to be as much as $300 billion.

During this dark moment, we have seen the incredible resilience of the people across the Southeast. Our brothers and sisters in western North Carolina are strong, united, and determined to rebuild.

However, we cannot wait any longer. Our communities need help now. Congress must act swiftly and pass a supplemental appropriations bill. We must ensure Federal resources are made available quickly and efficiently to support recovery efforts, whether for temporary housing, debris removal, or rebuilding infrastructure.

Together, we will emerge stronger for us to continue to move forward.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7653, the Veterans Employment Readiness Yield Act. On behalf of North Carolina's First Congressional District's veterans, who I am proud to represent, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.

I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani), in particular, who co-led the bill with me; the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for moving it forward; and, also, the Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America for endorsing this legislation.

H.R. 7653 amends terminology in the Veteran Readiness and Employment program to replace the term ``employment handicap'' with ``employment barrier'' and the term ``serious employment handicap'' with ``serious employment barrier,'' while leaving the definitions unchanged.

The Veteran Readiness and Employment program helps former servicemembers find jobs and ensure their mental and financial well- being. Updating the terminology will improve efficiency and encourage disabled veterans to use the VR&E program.

No veteran should have any discomfort advocating for themselves and seeking help for their service-connected disabilities. We will not stop fighting until every disabled veteran has what they need to get the assistance that they deserve and have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which, among several provisions, includes the Veteran Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform Act of 2023.

As we recognize National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Family Caregivers Month, we must recommit ourselves to helping our Nation's veterans and their caregivers, often the unsung heroes of the healthcare system. Support of the CARE Act does exactly that. We must always lend a helping hand to our veterans and their families. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8371.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the remarkable life of Buddy Ritch, a true servant-leader who was not only dedicated to serving our country but also the city of Kinston.

He was a veteran, entrepreneur, and champion for the city. Buddy's legacy began with service in the 82nd Airborne Division during the Korean war.

Upon returning, he transformed his entrepreneurial spirit into an engine for community betterment, establishing the Boys and Girls Club of Lenoir County, revitalizing downtown Kinston, and serving 16 years as mayor.

His leadership brought over 20 industries into our region, and Kinston earned the All-American City Award not once but twice.

Buddy's life reminds us that service is a calling.

To his family, we extend our deepest gratitude for sharing such an extraordinary man with us.

To the city of Kinston, may Buddy's legacy inspire generations.

Madam Speaker, as we recognize National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Family Caregivers Month, we must recommit ourselves to helping our Nation's veterans, our real heroes.

It is important for Congress to pass the Veterans Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform Act, also known as the CARE Act. The CARE Act cuts red tape for our disabled veterans who apply through the VA caregivers program with veteran service organizations' assistance.

The CARE Act also requires the VA to ensure medical specialists are carefully reviewing applications and providing full transparency to our veterans as it pertains specifically to denials.

We must always lend a helping hand to our veterans and their families. Support of the CARE Act does exactly that, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate veterans across the country, I was proud to stand alongside three incredible heroes: Retired United States Air Force Colonel George Farfour, the associate dean of the School of Strategic Force Studies at the Air Force Institute of Technology; United States Navy Lieutenant Commander Eric Green, who has led global health engagements, strategic medical planning activities, and mitigated environmental health threats; and retired United States Army Colonel Rodney Mallette, the special adviser to the chairman of the board for International Auto Logistics. We were inducted into the Distinguished Military Service Society at East Carolina University, joining a network of 79 other incredible alums.

I congratulate these vets. I thank all vets and their families so much for their service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Rock Ridge Elementary in Wilson County, North Carolina, as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.

The National Blue Ribbon honor demonstrates the outstanding achievements of the Raiders and their unwavering commitment to excellence.

Rock Ridge, led by Principal Emily Chilton, is to be commended for tirelessly pursuing academic excellence. The journey to this honor has involved collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision among students, teachers, educational support professionals, families, and the community.

As Rock Ridge proudly displays the National Blue Ribbon flag, it is a symbol of a commitment to exemplary teaching and learning.

I congratulate the Raiders.

Madam Speaker, from a skinny kid who preached on a street corner in Kinston, North Carolina, to the national president of the National Convention of Free Will Baptists, United States of America, overseeing 150,000 members, we owe a great deal of honor and gratitude to Johnny Ervin Reddick, also known back home as Bishop Dr. J.E. Reddick, on his retirement and life of service.

At the age of 8, he wanted to preach the Gospel. By 29, he was elected the annual bishop/moderator, the youngest in his church's history.

He has served many congregations, including pastoring Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church in La Grange for 70 years and Maury Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Hookerton for 60 years.

Donned in a robe with his cross, his sermons have inspired thousands, including me. His true American story, grounded in faith, is about serving the Lord and people.

We thank and honor the bishop for his prayers and inspiration. May God bless him.

Mr. Speaker, after 35 remarkable years as Barton College head women's basketball coach, Wendee Saintsing has entered a well-deserved retirement.

Coach Saintsing has taken 10 teams to the NCAA Division II tournament and led Barton to seven Conference Carolinas regular season championships and three Conference Carolinas Tournament titles.

Under her leadership, 27 of her 33 Bulldogs teams have had winning records. She also coached seven All-Americans, and a Bulldogs student athlete was named the Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Player of the Year 12 times.

Saintsing was named the Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year an impressive four times and received the Milestone award at the Conference Carolinas inaugural Legends of the Game banquet.

Mr. Speaker, Coach Saintsing's outstanding record, which is big, speaks for itself. She has made an invaluable impact at Barton and on eastern North Carolina. I congratulate her on her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, residents are pulling out their cameras to take pictures with the legendary Robert ``Bob'' Aiken, Jr., of Snow Hill, North Carolina, in celebration of his 100th birthday.

Born and raised in Snow Hill, Bob went to college and returned home in 1945, discovering his passion for photography and opening Bob Aiken Photography.

For more than 70 years, he was the local photographer, and through his eyes and camera lenses, he captured the most precious moments of our residents.

If you wanted pictures of that special occasion, prom, or wedding, call Bob. He is even known for just showing up on occasion.

Bob was married to the love of his life, Seroba, for 64 years.

Mr. Speaker, his deep love for his family, our community, and capturing so many historic moments is unparalleled. The Greene County Board of Commissioners has designated September 21 as Bob Aiken Day.

Now, smile and say cheese, Bob. Happy birthday.