Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, when insults, chaos, and name calling become the norm, it takes courage to come together and work through our differences.

America is facing significant challenges right here at home and around the world.

I believe that the people of eastern North Carolina sent me here to get things done. I work daily to be a champion for a part of my State that is often forgotten and left behind.

My grandmother raised me to look for the best in others because everyone is somebody. We must extend respect. We must extend dignity. We must extend civility to each other.

It is better to cross bridges together as opposed to sending one of the greatest institutions on Earth over a cliff.

We must put politics aside to achieve meaningful results for the people of eastern North Carolina and our country. May God bless us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka.

We must stand with the Eelam Tamil community. Their struggle for justice and accountability continues, with survivors and their families enduring ongoing oppression and seeking recognition for their suffering from the Sri Lankan Government.

We must recognize the plight of the Tamil people and advocate for a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all. The Tamil community's resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to their unwavering spirit for justice and self-determination.

It was a pleasure to meet with so many who traveled to our Nation's Capital from across the United States and five countries to ensure such atrocities never happen again.

Mr. Speaker, we aren't going to stand idly by as the proposed 520 job cut at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base threatens to damage eastern North Carolina's economy.

The Air Force's plan to eliminate an entire squadron at Seymour Johnson is absolutely unacceptable. Safeguarding our national security and preserving these jobs are not mutually exclusive, and the Air Force must acknowledge that.

Eliminating a fighter squadron in Wayne County would be devastating for this already economically distressed community. Unfortunately, this plan does not build the economy from the middle out and bottom up.

The Air Force must thoroughly examine the risk and consider the community impact. I encourage the Air Force to engage directly with the local community.

The Air Force must be more transparent and accountable to the people of Wayne County, eastern North Carolina, and the Congress.

Mr. Speaker, after putting on a bullet- proof vest, I hopped in a police cruiser to help patrol the town. Joining Snow Hill Police Chief Josh Smith for a ride-along was enlightening.

During our patrol, Chief Smith and I spoke about equipment needs, funding challenges, and staffing issues police officers face. We also took a moment to connect with our community, waving at kids skateboarding and passing by memaw's house to make sure she was okay.

Dedicated officers work hard daily. Indeed, they are the backbone of our communities. As we observe National Police Week, let us recognize the bravery and sacrifice of our law enforcement personnel.

I thank Chief Smith and all the men and women who faithfully protect and serve communities across eastern North Carolina and the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, ALS is a neurological disorder that affects thousands of people worldwide. Recently, I had the privilege of meeting two incredible advocates living with ALS, and their courage and determination deeply moved me.

One of them is Lou Hall, a fellow Air Force veteran who was diagnosed in 2020 after undergoing several surgeries. With his wife, Tammy, Lou is working tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of early detection.

Troy Tatum, an ordained Disciples of Christ reverend, was diagnosed in early 2022. Since his retirement, Troy and his wife, Leigh Ann, have provided unyielding support and encouragement to others.

To Lou and Troy, I greatly admire your strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to a cure. Your stories are a testament to the human spirit and power of hope.

Madam Speaker, no matter if a task is great or small, finish it or not at all.

The lesson here is that we should always complete what we start, no matter how challenging it may be. We should never give up. I learned this valuable lesson from Mr. Little in his wood shop class, and it still sticks with me today.

Teachers share inspiring and life-changing lessons with their students every day. We all have a teacher who has taught us an important lesson that we still remember.

Our favorite teachers take us beyond a textbook and teach us life lessons that we carry with us forever. On National Teachers Day, we pause to recognize our dedicated teachers who are making a difference.

Teaching is a noble profession. Teachers have had a profound impact on doctors, lawyers, preachers, and, yes, believe it or not, Members of Congress.

Madam Speaker, I give a special shout-out today to all the teachers of eastern North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Raskin for yielding time.

I rise in support of H.R. 6972, the Securing Chain of Command Continuity Act. As a proud United States Air Force veteran, I join my colleague, Representative Kiggans of Virginia, who also served our country in uniform, to introduce this bipartisan bill.

If we have learned anything from the past several months, it is, indeed, we are in a more dangerous world. As tensions and threats rise across the globe, timely responses are vital to safeguarding the American people and saving lives.

Congress must require National Security Council agencies to provide a notice of the incapacitation of their agency heads within 24 hours. That is reasonable.

This requirement for our Nation's leaders is a minimum expectation to ensure transparency and accountability. The American people deserve nothing less, and I support the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, on National Nurses Day, let us honor the unsung healthcare heroes. They hold hands, wipe tears, and offer comfort to our families during the most difficult times.

Nurses are the heart and soul of our healthcare system, dedicating themselves tirelessly to the well-being of others.

They work long hours, sacrificing time from their own families to ensure that ours are taken care of. Their commitment goes beyond the confines of the hospital walls.

Today, let us take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to these remarkable healthcare professionals. Nurses, you are the backbone of our communities, and on this National Nurses Day, we honor and celebrate you.

To the nurses of eastern North Carolina, thank you for your selflessness, courage, and unwavering commitment.

Madam Speaker, it breaks my heart to share that something just doesn't seem quite right speaking without first hearing the voice of the gentleman from New Jersey, the Honorable Donald Milford Payne, Jr.

No matter how soon you would come to do a 1-minute speech, Donald Payne was always first. I never figured out how he somehow beat everyone to the Chamber all the time. No matter how many 1-minute speeches the rest of us did, Donald would always do more.

One time our friend, Mr. Joe Neguse from Colorado, suggested that I had done more 1 minutes than Mr. Payne. Why did he say that? Donald quickly corrected him.

The name ``Donald'' means ruler or king. Indeed, Donald was the 1- minute king.

Many days we sat together. He would review his notes, going over what he was going to say, waiting to hear those words, ``For what purpose does the gentleman from New Jersey seek recognition?''

Donald would then gently walk to the podium with his iPad in hand. Although he mostly said what he needed to in 1 minute, occasionally getting the gavel, Madam Speaker, I must use the 5-minute time period today because 1 minute would not do Mr. Payne justice.

Donald was not only a stylish and colorful individual, but he also brightened the House with his presence. He brightened us with his bow ties. He brightened us with his glasses. He brightened us even with his matching socks. He brightened us by using his voice as an instrument to speak up for the people of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District.

That is why he consistently received the John R. Lewis Award for his advocacy as captured right here. Look at him. He is happy. He is at peace. He is living the dream. He is on cloud nine. He is at peace.

We also had a special connection because there are a fair number of people

living in New Jersey who are actually from North Carolina, and we had many memorable conversations about mutual friends between votes while sitting in the first and second seat waiting for 1 minutes.

New Jersey, please know that North Carolina stands with you.

Donald Payne was an encourager, and his last words to me were: You are a good man, and I want to help you. He said: Take care, and I will see you soon.

Little did I know that that would be our last conversation. His life and legacy deeply inspired all of us, and I will always cherish the moments we spent together.

Donald and his father served in the people's House for about 35 years, and we are deeply grateful for their service.

When his father passed and Donald assumed office, he once said: I am following a legacy, and I am not backing away from that.

He didn't back away from it. He continued his father's legacy. He continued to set a legacy for his three children and children across the country, and he continued the legacy by making America better.

My heart goes out to his wife, Beatrice, and the Payne family. I extend my deepest condolences to them and to New Jersey's 10th Congressional District. The flowers that now rest in the seat Donald often occupied reflect his inner beauty and radiance.

Madam Speaker, Donald's last floor speech, interestingly, was on housing out of all issues. What a way to end. What a way to remind us all that there is a house of many mansions.

Madam Speaker, I thank Donald for showing us humility, showing us meekness, showing us kindness, brightening this institution, and using his voice to advocate for the American people.

Farewell, my friend, and, yes, I look forward to seeing him soon. He will always be remembered, and we miss him dearly.

I end today with the last words Donald Payne spoke and shared on the floor. On March 22, he ended his final 1-minute speech this way: And with that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

Mr. Speaker, I humbly rise to acknowledge and honor a remarkable couple, Apostle Dr. Charles White, Jr., and Elect Lady Barbara White, on the golden anniversary of their ministry.

Along with their loved ones, parishioners, and friends in a room decorated in gold, they celebrated 50 years in the ministry throughout their 55-year marriage.

Despite facing challenges, such as prostate cancer and Parkinson's, they have continued to serve with unwavering faith and determination, reaching out to those in need and delivering hope to countless lives.

Greene County has been blessed with their ministry, and we are so grateful for their positive impact.

I thank the Lord for blessing us with such compassionate and caring souls as Apostle Charles and Elect Lady Barbara White.

Mr. Speaker, in eastern North Carolina, there is a growing need for employment opportunities that can provide young people with careers.

To address this, I recently facilitated a meeting at our Greenville office between representatives from the Newport News shipyard, community colleges, and workforce development officials from across the region.

The objective was to explore ways of collaborating to create more job opportunities in our part of the State.

Given the increasing demand for Naval ships and submarines, everyone left optimistic about the potential for future collaboration. The meeting was productive and full of promise and hope.

Currently, more than 1,100 North Carolinians are employed at the shipyard. By working together, we can ensure that even more people from our region have access to good-paying jobs and can live the American Dream right in eastern North Carolina. We are taking positive steps toward creating a brighter future in the East.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I join my colleague, Representative Kiggans of Virginia, and rise in support of H.R. 3722, the Daniel J. Harvey, Jr. and Adam Lambert Improving Servicemember Transition to Reduce Veteran Suicide Act.

As a proud United States Air Force veteran and voice for over 46,000 veterans in North Carolina's First Congressional District, I was proud to join my friend and colleague, Representative Zach Nunn, in introducing this bipartisan bill last year ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

The suicide rate in our military ranks and among our veterans is unacceptable. We must not have servicemembers put themselves in harm's way fighting for our country only to return home to take their own lives.

By requiring the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to jointly pursue a 5-year pilot program, H.R. 3722 will help assess the feasibility of providing specified counseling and services as part of the Transition Assistance Program.

This bill will close the information gap and ensure veterans can access the services they need when and where they need them.

When our Active-Duty personnel take off their uniforms and begin to transition to civilian life, we must ensure they have the mental health resources and support they need not only to survive but thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Nunn for bringing this bill forward, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, as we conclude today on this vital legislation, I am compelled to emphasize the significance of the issue at hand.

According to the VA's ``2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report,'' 6,392 veterans died by suicide in 2021--114 more than the previous year. This rate is more than double that of the civilian adult population, underscoring a crisis that requires immediate and decisive action.

The stories of Corporal Adam Lambert and Lance Corporal Daniel J. Harvey, Jr., who both tragically lost their lives to suicide shortly after serving our country in Afghanistan, remind us that we must do more.

The enhancement of DOD and VA transition assistance programs in H.R. 3722 will ensure that every servicemember leaving the military is not only aware of but also able to access resources to address mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and

other risk factors associated with suicide.

To honor the legacy of our fallen, we must recommit ourselves to our servicemembers and veterans, our real heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. Again, I thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn) for introducing this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, reading is powerful. As we celebrate School Library Month, we honor the sanctuaries of knowledge that shape young minds and inspire lifelong learning.

School libraries are more than just rooms filled with books. They are gateways to imagination, innovation, and discovery that remain steadfast in their mission to cultivate critical thinking and foster a love for reading.

Let us recognize the tireless efforts of those who curate diverse collections, provide invaluable resources, and serve as mentors to our students.

As we commemorate School Library Month, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting these vital institutions. Together, let us ensure that every student has access to the transformative power of knowledge within the walls of a school library.

Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Connectivity Program, ACP, a lifeline for 23 million households nationwide, is on the brink of collapse. April marks the end of the program, putting the internet out of reach for many Americans.

The ACP is about leveling the digital playing field, especially for rural America. Without action, millions will lose access to high-speed internet. In North Carolina's First Congressional District, over 81,000 households rely on ACP for internet access.

ACP isn't about luxury. It is essential for our farmers, students, and small businesses. I urge Congress to act now.

Mr. Speaker, the United States Coast Guard Marathon brought together talented runners from far and wide to Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

City and U.S. Coast Guard leaders rolled out the red carpet with a warm welcome. I was delighted to see the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan in northeastern North Carolina in support of the marathon.

We are glad to celebrate the U.S. Coast Guard's commitment to the marathon and, above all, to Elizabeth City. Congratulations to all participants, particularly to the winners who persevered through the challenging course.

The U.S. Coast Guard Marathon is indeed an effort that helps to elevate this wonderful northeastern community to even greater heights.