Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 14 minutes p.m.), under its previous order and pursuant to House Resolution 240, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 10 a.m., for morning-hour debate, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Honorable Raul M. Grijalva.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my Chief of Staff, Tracee Sutton, as she retires after 28 years of service to our Nation. Tracee is a once-in-a-generation legislative talent who served her home state of North Dakota for more than twenty years before agreeing to lead my legislative team upon my election to Congress in 2018.

Tracee Sutton was born in Stutsman County, North Dakota, to Gary and Linda Gross. Leaving North Dakota to attend university, Tracee received her Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy and Prelaw from Utah State University in 1995. She began her decades-long career as a public servant while still in college, interning for Congresswoman Karen Shepherd in Utah.

After graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C., to intern for Congressman Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota. Working her way up from intern to Legislative Assistant under Congressman Pomeroy, Tracee managed a diverse legislative portfolio, encompassing water resources, economic development, housing and transportation. Tracee secured billions for infrastructure, water resource and flood control projects in North Dakota and passed legislation to streamline essential flood control projects with FEMA and the Army Corps.

In 2002, Tracee joined the office of Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota as a Legislative Assistant. Her many accomplishments in this role--from securing millions for North Dakota in annual appropriations requests to contributing to constituent facing communications--were rightly recognized as she was promoted to the Senator's Deputy Legislative Director in just two years. Notably, Tracee negotiated with Committee leadership and secured $70 million to address a serious road safety issue,

and she helped extend the Conrad State 30 program, which directly addresses national physician shortages.

When Senator Heidi Heitkamp was elected to represent North Dakota in 2012, Tracee was recognized for her impressive legislative record and named Legislative Director. Managing a legislative team of more than 15 staffers and interns, Tracee successfully set up a new Senate office-- from creating a legislative roadmap to managing routine operations. As Legislative Director, she crafted more than 50 bills, four of which passed as stand-alone bills and fourteen of which were incorporated into law in larger legislative packages. She also secured $2.1 billion for a flood control project in North Dakota's largest metro area.

Tracee's compassionate leadership and her ability to create innovative policy solutions to topics far beyond the average staffer's grasp has set her apart. She supported numerous interns and junior staff as they launched their own careers, taking the time to mentor anyone who asked for her help and guidance. Her hard work was recognized, gratefully, by the community she served. While in the Senate, Tracee received the Commodore Award for her work to protect, develop and manage North Dakota's water resources, the Kevin E. Quinlan Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety for her leadership in creating safer roadways, John M. Agrey Award for her many contributions to the state of North Dakota, and was a finalist for the prestigious Congressional Management Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hiring Tracee to lead my legislative efforts when I was elected to Congress in 2018 remains one of the smartest decisions I've ever made. Her dedication and drive set my legislative team up for success from the start, and her expertise in water, transportation and infrastructure has proved invaluable. Tracee spearheaded the creation of my Arizona Environmental Infrastructure Authority--the first Army Corps project of its kind in Arizona that now disperses funds to critical water infrastructure projects all around our state. She shaped legislation for the FAA Reauthorization that ensure all Americans can fly safely, particularly Americans with disabilities. When my former Chief of Staff left my office in the summer of 2024, I never doubted for a moment that I already had the perfect candidate to step up as Chief. Tracee has given as much of her time and talent to the people of Arizona as she gave to her North Dakota community, and we owe her a deep debt of gratitude.

On the rare occasions Tracee isn't in her office giving Congress her all, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Kevin Sutton, and playing with her dog, Riley. It's my hope that her retirement will hold many more cherished moments with family and friends. I wish her all the best, and Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an American and Arizona hero, Sergeant First Class Jeremy James Kerr, who we lost on February 23, 2025.

Sergeant Kerr was born in Buffalo, New York on September 26, 1973, to Joann and Gary Kerr and spent most of his childhood in Columbus, Ohio where he was active on the soccer and wrestling teams in high school. He entered the United States Army in 1992 as an infantryman and joined the elite Army Rangers where he became airborne certified and completed the rigorous Ranger School.

In 1993, Sergeant Kerr deployed to Somalia as part of Operation Gothic Serpent. While there, he was thrust into the forefront of a defining moment of United States military history: the Battle of Mogadishu.

He was honorably discharged from the Army after 5 years of service, and in 2009 he joined the Arizona Army National Guard as an Information Technology Specialist. Shortly after in 2011, he was deployed to Afghanistan where he provided critical support to combat operations for the raid that brought Osama Bin Laden to justice. He deployed to Jordan in 2018 and was a key leader in many Warfighter training exercises.

Sergeant Kerr served with the 158 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) from 2012 until his passing and was known for his technical expertise and witty personality. He had a gift for uplifting those around him. Always quick to tell a joke or share trivia, he brightened the darkest moods and kept morale high on long days.

He had a passion for fantasy football and March Madness Brackets, always organizing leagues for his unit, and he enjoyed listening to Eighties and Nineties rap.

Sergeant First Class Jeremy Kerr will be deeply missed by his friends, his wife Heather and his extended family members, and the Arizona National Guard community. We stand with his family in gratitude for his service and sorrow at his loss. His legacy will remain an enduring part of Arizona National Guard history. I thank him, and Ranger that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of an impactful Arizona LGBTQI+ rights advocate and trailblazer, Paul M. Carroll, Jr., who we lost on February 18, 2025, at the age of 61, following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer.

Paul was born to U.S. Air Force Veteran, Paul M. Carroll, Sr., and Margaret Carroll, on April 27, 1963, in Malden, Massachusetts. He spent the early years of his life in Malden where his parents would teach him and his four siblings the values of kindness and service.

Interested in STEM and computer science research, Paul completed a degree in Economics with a concentration in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1989. Early in his career, Paul took to heart the lessons taught by his parents-- embedding himself in his community and working tirelessly to protect the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. Paul worked closely with the Pride Board in Boston, where he fought to make our country more inclusive and welcoming for everyone.

Once Paul relocated to Arizona, his passion for service and his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to launch his finance and IT consulting firm in 2004. His firm, JR in Phoenix LLC, provided local business with IT support services, including financial analysis, planning, and accounting. And while Phoenix would remain his forever home, Paul always made time to travel the world with his husband and enjoy the company of his many friends and family.

Much like Boston, Phoenix was blessed by Paul's dedication to building a more inclusive community. He quickly established himself as a civil rights leader in our community and as a passionate defender of every Arizonan's fundamental right to marry who they love. Paul's impact on Phoenix was felt most deeply during his various tenures on the Phoenix Pride Parade Board. Starting off as an operations volunteer in April 2004, he would later serve as Parade Director, Treasurer, Vice President, and Chair greatly expanding the parade and festival in Phoenix. He became Chair Emeritus in 2010, steering the organization wisely with his wealth of knowledge and financial expertise.

Paul's commitment to Arizona's LGBTQI+ community extended well beyond the Phoenix Parade Board. He helped shape iconic events around the Valley in support of the LGBTQI+ community, like the annual Aunt Rita's Red Brunch Charity Fundraiser, which provides relief for those living with HIV and AIDS. Additionally, Paul was a Board Director for ViVRE and the Volunteer One Voice Community Center Anti-Violence Project, which provides services for people in need, including LBGTQI+-friendly medical services, shelter for homeless youth, and suicide prevention counseling. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Paul.

Paul is survived by his beloved husband, Kevin Moore, his aunt, sisters, nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his kind, loving nature, and his lifelong investment to move our state toward true liberty and justice for all, will be felt for generations to come. In this spirit of gratitude and remembrance, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for all he has done for Arizona. I thank him and Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, today is bittersweet. Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury announced her retirement.

DT is the greatest professional athlete in Arizona sports history-- fight me on that one--with three NCAA championships, three WNBA championships, and six Olympic Gold Medals and as the WNBA's all-time leading scorer. There is a reason when I was mayor I named the street in front of the arena Taurasi Way.

A world-class and hilarious trash-talker on the court, she could have been a professional comedian. She lights up every room that she is in, constantly uplifting others. Brittney Griner could not have asked for a more loyal friend during her detainment in Russia.

I had a courtside seat to her entire 21-year career in Phoenix. I saw her grow as a basketball player and as a tremendous leader in our community.

My son, Trevor, grew up idolizing Diana Taurasi. He wanted to be her when he grew up, but one day, I had to tell him: Son, you can't grow up to be Diana Taurasi. Her jump shot is just too darn good.

Dee, on behalf of a grateful city, Godspeed on your retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of Phillip Austin, who passed away on December 20, 2024, at the age of 73 years old. An Arizona trailblazer and a champion for the Latino community, Phil will continue to live on through the countless lives he positively impacted.

A fourth-generation Arizonan, Phil was born in Mesa, Arizona, on February 17, 1951, to Albert ``Beto'' & Margaret ``Maggie'' Austin, who devoted their lives to operating Albert's Market. From a young age, Beto and Maggie instilled in him and his six siblings the value of service and hard work.

After graduating from Brophy College Preparatory in 1969, Phil continued his studies at Santa Clara University and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where his passion for civil rights was ignited. Phil often reminisced about his days as a student activist, specifically recalling his arrest for joining a ``sit-in'' protest over the firing of Latino faculty.

His lifelong pursuit of justice continued back in Arizona where Phil served as Assistant Attorney General and Chief Counsel for the Arizona Attorney General Civil Rights Division for sixteen years. His service at the Attorney General's office was instrumental in the passage of Arizona's first fair housing legislation, anti-discrimination laws for the elderly and disabled, and initiatives fostering the development of dispute resolution and mediation programs throughout the state of Arizona.

Known by then as ``Mr. Mesa,'' his passionate advocacy for the Latino community prompted him to establish the East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, equipping innovative Hispanic entrepreneurs with the confidence and resources to achieve their highest aspirations.

In 1994, he opened his own legal practice in downtown Mesa, where he practiced transactional, employment, civil rights, and fair housing law. Phil was a dedicated public servant and a beacon of hope for immigrants. He would donate space in his law firm to strategize and combat harsh and damaging anti-immigrant policies like SB1070--a law that devastated many Latino families in Arizona. Phil also played a key role in establishing the Alston House Center for Peace and Justice, a community hub for services and social justice initiatives. These efforts led him to also establish the Latino PAC del Rio Salado, giving a platform to bright and aspiring Latino elected officials.

Phil devoted his life to forging a stronger path forward for our state, earning him countless awards and recognitions, including the Phoenix Jaycee's Three Outstanding Young Men Award, Valle de Sol's Exemplary Leadership Award, and the NAACP's Roy Wilkens Award. Phil donated his time often, sitting on several state and local advisory boards. He founded the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens, the Albert D. Austin, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Albert D. Austin Mariachi Academy to empower young people through music education and cultural enrichment, and the EVHCC's STEAM Scholars program. Arizona owes a debt of gratitude to Phil.

Phil will be remembered for his tender-hearted nature and being a loving friend, brother, father, husband, and Tata. He is survived by his beloved wife, Christy, and his beloved children Lela, Lt. Colonel Phillip A. Austin, Angelo Austin, State Representative Lorena Austin, and his beautiful grandchildren. I thank him. Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed two votes on the House Floor. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 32, Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 27, and YEA on Roll Call No. 33, Final Passage of H.R. 27, HALT Fentanyl Act.

Mr. Speaker, my heart is heavy seeing the devastation across southern California. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones and whose homes, businesses, and schools have been destroyed.

Arizona is no stranger to devastating wildfires. Anyone in the West will tell you that climate change is making wildfires more frequent and more dangerous, not just in California but everywhere.

This body has a real immediate duty to address the threat of worsening wildfires, and I have introduced legislation to get State and local governments emergency FEMA resources to fight wildfires and protect people and property.

Our first priority is to help those fleeing to safety and to aid the firefighters and first responders, including the brave fire crews from Arizona cities, the State, and our Tribal nations.

When Arizona communities have been impacted by wildfires, floods, or other extreme weather events, the Federal Government has delivered aid without conditions.

When our neighbors in the South, in Florida, North Carolina, and Louisiana, were hit by storms, the Federal Government delivered without conditions.

Now Congress must pass emergency disaster aid for our neighbors in California without conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Judge Elizabeth ``Ellie'' Finn, who passed away on December 27, 2024, following a long battle with ovarian cancer. For over four decades, Ellie served with distinction on Arizona's municipal benches, dedicating her career to building a more equitable and compassionate justice system, particularly for survivors of domestic violence and those impacted by mental illness.

Born in 1947 in New Haven, Connecticut, Ellie moved to Arizona as a young girl. Her parents, Herbert B. Finn and Ruth G. Finn, instilled a deep commitment to public service and justice in Ellie and her sister, Alice Finn, from a young age. She shared 56 years of love and partnership with her husband, Edward Turner. Together, they raised two children, Jesse and Sarah, nurturing the same sense of social responsibility that guided Ellie's own life.

Ellie earned her law degree from Arizona State University in 1972, before joining her parents and forming Arizona's first majority-female law firm, Finn, Finn, & Finn. In 1979, Ellie was appointed to the Phoenix Municipal Court, making her one of the youngest judges in Arizona After retiring from Phoenix in 2002, she became the presiding judge of the Glendale City Court--a position held for nearly two decades.

Throughout Ellie's tenure in law, she brought a renewed focus to issues previously overlooked in the judicial system. She championed specialized courts, including those addressing domestic violence, mental health, and homelessness, ensuring that Arizona's municipalities take a holistic approach to justice. She never lost sight of the human dimension of her work, molding a style of jurisprudence that takes into account people's lived experiences and reflects her passion for building a justice system that better serves all Arizonans. Her principles, composure, and leadership garnered local and national recognition, including honors from the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Arizona, and the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

Ellie's life embodied the principle of using one's gifts and passions to uplift the community. Her trailblazing spirit, advocacy for domestic violence survivors, and enduring impact on Arizona's courts will continue to guide our pursuit of justice in the years to come. We honor her memory, extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones, and remember her unwavering commitment to serving those most in need.

I thank Ellie and Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent today and missed one vote on the House Floor. Had I been present, I would have voted the below, consistent with my YEA vote in the 118th Congress on June 4, 2024: YEA on Roll Call No. 7, Passage of H.R. 23 -- Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Nasser Chidiac, who was tragically lost in a car accident at the age of 50 on December 7, 2024. An inspiration to all those who crossed his path, Mr. Chidiac will forever be remembered for his quiet grace and dedication to giving back to others.

Mr. Chidiac was born in Meyasseh, Lebanon in 1974. He was the youngest of six siblings. Four years ago, he came to the United States with a dream to inspire young minds and provide for his family still living in Lebanon. For three years, he taught mathematics at Tempe High School while driving for Uber at night.

At Tempe High School, his students and colleagues remember him as not just an educator, but also a mentor, friend, and dedicated Buffaloes fan. While Mr. Chidiac's passion for teaching was evident, his true impact lay in the way he connected with his students, who remember Mr. Chidiac as someone who always took the extra time to ensure understanding, offer words of encouragement, and check in on their personal well-being. He rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on his students, whether it was in the classroom or on the court sidelines.

Mr. Chidiac's humility, generosity, and meticulous work ethic will leave a lasting legacy in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family, students, and colleagues as they process this devastating loss.

I thank Mr. Chidiac for his dedication to our youth, his family, and the greater community. Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a team from my district, a team that is a Cinderella story for all ages, the Arizona State University football team.

A couple of years ago, the team was in bad shape. This year, the team was coming off two straight seasons of only three wins, their worst stretch since the 1940s.

Coach Kenny Dillingham was hired a couple of years ago, the youngest head coach in Division 1 college football. He grew up in Phoenix. He worked hard at rebuilding this program.

Their star player, running back Cam Skattebo, had only one college scholarship coming out of high school. Analysts predicted that ASU would finish dead last in their first season in the Big 12 Conference, 16th out of 16 teams.

No one believed in them, but they believed in themselves. They are a testament to what anyone can achieve when they show up, work hard, and are good teammates. They won 11-2 this season, undefeated at home for the first time in 20 years.

Just this past Saturday, they had a massive victory over Iowa State and won the Big 12 Conference championship, solidifying their place as one of the best comeback stories in Arizona history.

They are now one of the best teams in the United States. No one is underestimating them now. Coach Dillingham and the people's Heisman winner, Cam Skattebo, and this team are easy to root for. They have activated our valley like never before. Onward to Victory and Forks Up.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to send off my colleague, Debbie Lesko, and honor her long career in public service.

I first got to know Debbie when she was working on pension reform as a State senator and I was working on pension reform as mayor of the city of Phoenix.

We were both elected to Congress in the year 2018, and over the last 6 years, we have probably canceled each other's votes out more often than not.

Mr. Speaker, you know what? We have developed a really great friendship, spending so many hours together, talking about our families and politics at Sky Harbor International Airport and DCA as we wait to board our weekly flights back and forth to Washington.

I want to say something about Debbie. She inspires me. She is a survivor of domestic violence, and she got out of an abusive marriage.

Do you know what she did?

She poured herself into our community on the Peoria school board, at the State legislature, and now as a Member of the United States Congress. That is a great American success story.

Over her years in public office, she has shown immense courage in sharing her story as a domestic violence survivor and using her office to fight for other survivors to receive the care and attention they deserve.

To Debbie's husband, Joe, I see you on those weekly flights. It is not easy being a congressional spouse. I see the long hours you put in, in supporting Debbie. Thank you for sharing her with us.

I am going to miss Debbie in Congress, but she is continuing her work in public service as a newly elected Maricopa County supervisor. Debbie, I have one request in your new role. Please don't ever let the Cyber Ninjas back in Maricopa County.

In all seriousness, I am wishing you all the very best. Godspeed, Congresswoman Lesko.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a respected public servant, Alberto Gutier, the former Director of the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety. Serving under seven Arizona Governors, Alberto worked tirelessly to protect the Arizona travelers and law enforcement officers on our roadways. He passed away on November 2, 2024, at age 84.

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba; Alberto Gutier spent his young adulthood fighting back against communist regimes before emigrating to Florida in the late 1950's. There, he attended the University of Florida and later moved to New Jersey to start his career and his family with his beloved wife, Miryam. In 1968, Alberto became so inspired by the work of U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater that he moved the Gutier family to Phoenix, Arizona, where he would continue to live out the American Dream.

A long-time figure in Arizona politics and policy, Alberto was widely respected by leaders on both sides of the aisle, and he championed the importance of a good compromise. He served as a Republican Party committeeman for 50 years and was a delegate to five national conventions. In addition, he founded the Gutier Group, a lobbying and political consulting firm, and served as state personnel director and administrative services officer for the Department of Administration, acting driver licensing program administrator for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Division, and Chairman of the Maricopa Merit System Commission. Alberto was also an active leader in our community--joining the Arizona DUI Abatement Council, the Phoenix Police Chief Interview Panel, the Legislative Oversight Committee on School Safety, and more--and a frequent contributor to FOX 10 and other local broadcasts.

Over his twenty years as Director for the Office of Highway Safety, Alberto led many successful safety campaigns that minimized the risks of wrong-way crashes, drunk driving, and distracted driving--and was a stalwart supporter of police officers and first responders, particularly in fighting for fair overtime compensation for law enforcement. His commitment to public safety, and his sense of humor, is still often projected to drivers across Arizona on the Arizona Department of Transportation's famous highway safety messages-- especially his signature phrase, ``Drive Hammered, Get Nailed!''

His dedication to keeping Arizonans safe on the roads will never be forgotten, and his many contributions to our state will be greatly missed. Arizona owes a debt of gratitude to Alberto for his years of service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Albert Leon McHenry, who we lost at the age of 83 on September 9, 2024. A life-long educator and academic, Dr. McHenry's contributions to advancing engineering technology education will continue to live on through the countless lives he positively impacted.

Albert was born in Ruston, Louisiana to Albert Augusta, a school principal and respected community leader, and Irma Giles McHenry, a homemaker and a devoted mother renowned for her Southern cooking and tireless community service. As a student, Albert excelled in academics and extracurriculars--graduating as Class President and Salutatorian, competing as a soloist in concert choir and playing baseball, all while serving as mentor to his younger siblings Clyde and Hattie.

With many academic avenues closed in the segregated South, Albert began his college education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, an HBCU, where, after being inspired by the advent of the Space Race, he changed his major from chemistry after one semester to Electronics Engineering and Technology. Albert excelled in college, serving as chapter president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He graduated in June of 1962 and accepted a position with Boeing's Saturn Rocket Booster Branch in New Orleans, and married the love of his life, Annette Bostick, in December of that year. Their marriage was blessed with two

daughters, Janet and Joan, to whom Albert was a wise and devoted father, just as his father had been to him.

He taught in the Electronics Department at Southern University for more than a decade before Albert and Annette decided to further their academic credentials at Arizona State University in Tempe. Albert earned his M.S. in Technology in 1976 and a Ph.D. in 1980, and was quickly offered a permanent position as Associate Professor. The family put down permanent roots in Mesa, where Albert would call home for the rest of his life. One of only a small handful of Black professors at ASU, Dr. McHenry quickly rose through the ranks to become the university's Dean of Technology. Under his leadership, enrollment in the college rose by 55 percent.

In the mid-1990s, ASU undertook an ambitious plan to convert the recently closed Williams Air Force Base into a new campus which would later become ASU Polytechnic. Dr. McHenry became one of ASU Poly's two founding Deans, creating and directing the College of Technology and Applied Sciences in Southeast Mesa, which continues to thrive. He retired in 2008, having risen to Executive Vice Provost and Vice President. Dr. McHenry was great at many things, but being retired wasn't one of them, so he continued to serve the university as a part- time Research Professor Emeritus at the Hispanic Research Center until 2022.

Dr. McHenry was just as accomplished and impactful in his community service as he was in academia. He was a charter member of the Gamma Mu Boule of Phoenix, served on the Mesa United Way and Mesa Senior Services boards, chaired the technology committee for the East Valley Partnership. He was named the 2003 Mesa Man of the Year and presented the East Valley Partnership also Dwight Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award. His lifetime love of music let him to form the McHenry Singers, a family gospel group that preformed at numerous community events.

Arizona owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. McHenry for his years of service to our community. Thank you, and Godspeed.