Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Gerald W. Duncan, who passed away on July 10, 2023, after a valiant three-plus year fight against Alzheimer's Disease.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech and a master's in business administration from Radford University, Mr. Duncan began his career in 1967 as a software developer with the Research, Development, & Acquisition Information Systems Agency, Department of the Army, where he was honored with many awards during his 35 years of service.

He then pivoted careers, being elected as Treasurer of Giles County in 2000. His success as Treasurer led him to being voted Treasurer of the Year for the State of Virginia. Mr. Duncan loved serving the people of Giles County and had an open-door policy during his time as Treasurer.

When not working, Mr. Duncan loved to hunt deer, bears, and turkey throughout the country. He was elected president of the Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation for 3 consecutive terms, championing conservation of the wild turkey.

But most importantly, Mr. Duncan's proudest achievement was being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Mr. Duncan is survived by his wife, Ruth Duncan of Blacksburg; oldest son, Troy Duncan and wife, Heather, of New Castle; youngest son, Mark Duncan and wife, Eva, of Catawba; daughter, Margee Sisson and husband, Dougie, of Shawsville; grandchildren, Haley Chandler of Clearfield, Utah, Hagan Chandler and wife, Kierston, of Riner, Tanner Duncan of Richmond, Andrew Duncan of New Castle, Elijah Duncan of Catawba, and Summer Norwood of Shawsville; great-grandson, Myles Chandler of Riner; and great-granddaughter, Everly Chandler of Riner. I wish them condolences on the loss of their loved one.

Mr. Duncan was known by his friends and family as being extremely kind and having unwavering determination throughout his life, always offering a helping hand to those in need. I know he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Montgomery County Administrator Craig Meadows. Craig is set to retire in November, having served as County Administrator since August 2009. Before his current position, Craig also served as city manager of Bedford, Virginia from 1998 to 2005 and then of Monroe, North Carolina, from 2005 to 2009. In addition to County Administration, Craig has served in leadership roles with multiple state and national organizations, including the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Local Government Management Association, and the International City/County Management Association. Additionally, he has been involved with several local organizations, including New River Valley Water Authority, the Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority, and the Economic Development Authority.

Described as ``accessible and approachable'', and a ``champion for Montgomery County,'' Craig successfully facilitated more than 20 construction and renovation projects during his time as County Administrator, addressing education, public safety, recreation, and key infrastructure needs of the county. Under his leadership, the county experienced positive economic growth and was one of the few localities in Southwest Virginia to gain population since 2020. I congratulate Craig Meadows, on a job well done. I know that his colleagues and the residents of Montgomery County will greatly miss his efforts in his role as County Administrator. He deserves to enjoy retirement with his wife, Rhonda, along with their children and grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the marriage of Jerry and Bonnie Hatchett. Jerry and Bonnie celebrated 50 years of marriage this year, marrying on June 2, 1973, after 2 years of dating. During their many years together, Jerry and Bonnie have been blessed with 3 sons, who have in turn blessed them with multiple wonderful grandchildren. They started a successful trucking business, Hatchett Transportation, Inc., in 1982, which they still own and operate today.

Jerry serves as President, while Bonnie serves as Secretary and Treasurer. I congratulate Jerry and Bonnie on their 50 years of marriage. I know that finding a partner to go through life with takes a whole lot of luck. Being married for 50 years, going through life's many ups and downs, takes a whole lot of work. I only hope that others are as fortunate as them to be able to spend so many years with the one they love. I pray that Jerry and Bonnie have many more happy and healthy years together ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Michael R. Glass of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on June 4, 2023. Glass was described by his loved ones as an ``outstanding father, husband, brother, friend, mentor, and Firefighter.'' Mike dedicated his life to serving his community, following in his father's footsteps, and becoming a volunteer firefighter at Fort Lewis Fire Department in 1978. Mike then became a career firefighter with Salem Fire Department in 1987, where he obtained his EMT certification and served as part of the Regional HazMat team.

Committed to expanding access to fire service training programs, Mike was influential in starting Roanoke County's Volunteer Firefighter Academy, where he continued as the Lead Instructor. He also helped start a second fire academy in conjunction with the Elliston Fire Department in Montgomery County. Mike retired from the Salem Fire Department in 2008 after 20 years of service and from the Fort Lewis Fire Department in 2019 after 41 years of service. While at Fort Lewis, he served as treasurer and lieutenant and won service Firefighter of the Year awards.

Over the years, I had the privilege of attending many Fort Lewis Chicken Barbeque dinners, which Mike organized twice a year and were the department's biggest fundraiser, with proceeds going toward the department's budget and providing training and safety equipment for the station. When not fighting fires, Mike loved making trips to the Smoky Mountains with his family and friends. He also had a great love for dogs and had a special place in his heart for children, making sure to hand out a few dollar bills to any youngsters he came across.

Mike joins his wife Bonnie, his parents Harrison and Barbara, and best friend Kevin Sheppard in heaven. Mike is survived by his son, Stephen Palmer (Stephanie); grand-dog, Ace; his baby sister, Becky Ayers (Justin); special nephews, Jase, and Ryan Ayers; brothers, James and Ronnie Glass; Sister, Anne Paitsel (David); special nieces, Sylvia Paitsel (Cedrick); great niece, Leia; and special aunt, Sandra Dawley. I wish them condolences on the loss of their loved one. Mike served as a mentor to countless Volunteer Firefighters, and his contributions to Salem and the fire departments around Southwest Virginia will not be forgotten. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Senior Park Ranger Tim Sims, who is retiring after an incredible 34 years working at the Booker T. Washington National Monument, located in Franklin County, Virginia. After graduating from Ferrum College in 1988, Tim applied for a seasonal maintenance job at the park, which would eventually turn into a lifelong career after he was given a full-time position in 1991. Originally hired as a maintenance worker, Tim worked his way to the role of chief park ranger in charge of interpretation and resource management. In addition to working in the park's gardens, Tim served as primary caretaker for the park's many animals, which include chickens, pigs, and sheep.

Throughout the years, Tim also got the opportunity to speak with the park's visitors as a part of his duties, something he both grew to enjoy and had a talent for. Tim said that he'll remain close to the monument once retired, living in the Callaway community of Franklin County, with his wife Robyn, so that he can continue to watch the park grow. Retirement will also afford Tim more opportunities to visit his two daughters, Willow and Rowan, and to dedicate more time to his other passion, as a keyboard player for a few local bands. I congratulate Tim on a job well done in his many years working at the Booker T. Washington National Monument. Though his colleagues will surely miss working with him every day, retirement is well deserved.

Madam Chair, everyone in this body knows someone who has been affected by the drug overdose epidemic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, there were more than 107,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. Sixty-seven percent of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Right now, fentanyl analogues are considered schedule I substances, but only because of a series of scheduling orders that expire on December 31, 2024. Since we put that temporary order into place, we have seen a reduction in the trafficking of fentanyl analogues into our country.

According to a 2021 GAO report, fentanyl analogues coming into the U.S. dropped by 90 percent in the year that we did the temporary scheduling. This bill aims to curb overdose deaths by permanently scheduling fentanyl analogues as schedule I substances. This will strengthen law enforcement's ability to prosecute fentanyl traffickers and act as a deterrent.

The HALT Fentanyl Act also promotes research--this is something new-- by removing barriers to the research.

In the Energy and Commerce Committee, we heard that there are as many as 4,800 potential analogues. Our experts at NIH, FDA, and other agencies have studied roughly 30 of the 4,800. By encouraging research of schedule I substances like fentanyl analogues, we can better understand how these substances work and how we may prevent potential harmful impacts in the future.

Because fentanyl itself has a proven medical use, it is considered a schedule II narcotic, but illicit derivatives of fentanyl, also called fentanyl analogues, currently have not demonstrated medical value.

Let me be clear. This bill will have no impact whatsoever on a physician's ability to administer fentanyl in proper medical scenarios. The HALT Fentanyl Act deals specifically with fentanyl analogues, not fentanyl itself.

The DEA has said that permanently scheduling fentanyl analogues is their top legislative priority. We must not allow this temporary extension to expire.

On Monday, the Biden administration released a positive statement regarding the bill. In the statement, they supported the provisions I just described: permanent scheduling and streamlined research.

The Biden administration did recommend a few other items they would like to see related to fentanyl analogues. I am open and willing to have those discussions, but that is not this bill.

Madam Chair, we should vote to advance this bill that we agree on and that does help stop the bad guys, particularly those bringing these substances over the border.

Once fentanyl analogues are permanently made schedule I, Congress will continue to build off this work and continue to address the illicit fentanyl crisis.

These large numbers that we have seen on fentanyl deaths and fentanyl analogues are because of these drugs coming across the border. They are 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Why would we not take every step possible that we can to stop it?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. George R. ``Bob'' Smith, Jr., of Shawsville, Virginia. A proud ``country doctor'', Dr. Smith founded the Alleghany Clinic in 1955, where he worked tirelessly throughout a more than 40-year career as a family physician.

Shortly after its founding, Dr. Smith convinced his friend Dr. Clarence Taylor to join him in Shawsville to also work at the clinic. Just down the road, they built their own homes next door to one another on a road now appropriately called Pair O'Docs Lane.

In the mid-1960s, Dr. Smith opened the Meadowbrook Nursing Home and in 1982, he founded a nonprofit, the Mountain Valley Charitable Foundation, awarding scholarships to aspiring nurses so they could work at the nursing home.

Once Meadowbrook Nursing Home closed in 2001, Dr. Smith oversaw its transformation into the Meadowbrook Center, which featured a library, wellness center, museum, galley, and community center.

He also helped start the Shawsville Rescue Squad, was a consistent leader in the Shawsville Ruritan Club, served on regional and statewide medical boards, and dedicated his time to multiple volunteer and charitable causes.

When not serving his patients, Dr. Smith spent time with his family and on the golf course with his golfing buddies.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years Mildred, and his children George R. Smith III (Melinda) and Julia Stewart (Barry) of Shawsville, Mary Beth Bode (John) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Linda Paulk of Portland, Oregon, together with his nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom knew him affectionately as G- daddy. I offer them my condolences on their loss.

Dr. Smith leaves behind a lasting legacy in Southwest Virginia, having touched the lives of so many in Shawsville and the surrounding counties. His presence and generosity of spirit will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Rocky Wood of Haysi, Virginia. A native of Southwest Virginia, Rocky was an active and dedicated member of the Haysi community.

During his life, Rocky was the town's Vice Mayor, Chairman of the Building Code Committee of Dickenson County, Chief of the Haysi Volunteer Fire Department, Member of the Virginia Department of Forestry Honor Guard, owner and operator of Wood Construction Company and a member of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church.

A seven-year employee of the Virginia Department of Forestry as a forest technician, Rocky was responding to a 15-acre wildfire along Lester's Fork Road in Buchanan County at the time of his passing.

Rocky is survived by his wife Debbie; daughters, Lindsey (Chase Cooley) Wood and Lauren Wood, both of the home; bonus children, Jesse (Dove) Goodpaster of Bristol, VA and Toni (Nate) Long of Wise, VA; his mother, Nina Wood of Haysi, VA; grandchildren, Finn and CeCe Goodpaster, Paislee Fleming and Owen Ramey; father and mother in law, Jerry and Joan Deel of Birchleaf, VA and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. I wish them condolences on the loss of their loved one.

Rocky's contributions to Haysi and Southwest Virginia will not be forgotten. He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Matthew ``Mac'' McClung of Gate City, Virginia, who on February 18, 2023, won the NBA All-Star slam dunk contest. With just over 2,000 residents, Mac's incredible accomplishments have put Gate City on the map.

After graduating from Gate City High School as a three-star recruit in 2018, Mac played college basketball for Georgetown University and Texas Tech University, before declaring for the 2021 NBA draft. I've followed Mac's basketball career since high school, attending a few of his Gate City and Georgetown games.

Mac has worked hard on his craft, playing in the NBA G league since turning pro. He won NBA G League Rookie of the Year for the 2021-22 season. In February, Mac was not only the first NBA G League player to participate in the NBA All-Star slam dunk contest,

but to also win it. I was glad to be able to watch Mac's incredible win live.

After the dunk contest, Mac signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. On April 7, Mac won the NBA G League title with the Delaware Blue Coats. Two days later, he helped the 76ers defeat the Brooklyn Nets in their final regular season game and netted a near-triple double with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Mac's hard work and dedication have made all of us in Southwest Virginia proud. His professionalism when talking with members of the media continues to impress me. Even with his new-found fame, Mac continues to be a gentlemen.

I congratulate Mac on his win in February and wish him continued success in basketball. I look forward to following his career. I am confident it will be a long and fruitful one.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Doris ``Jill'' Carson, of Pennington Gap, Virginia. A native Bostonian, Mrs. Carson was a beloved figure in the Pennington Gap community since moving to the town in 1986.

An active member of her Pennington Gap community, Mrs. Carson served as a Member of the Town Council since 2014, the first African American woman to hold the office, and as Vice Mayor since 2019. Shortly before her passing, she was elected as the President of the Virginia Municipal League. She spent many years volunteering for the Lee High School guidance department, assisting students with college applications. She also served as a member of the Wells Chapel Church choir.

Known for her skilled community organizing and engagement work, Mrs. Carson dedicated her life to raising the voices of the unheard. As a community organizer, she was involved in several matters, including the reformation of the jury selection process in Lee County, the restoration of voting rights to nonviolent felons in Virginia, and the reopening of Lee County's only hospital.

She, along with her husband Ron, co-founded the Appalachian African American Cultural Center in Pennington Gap, to highlight the experiences and history of African Americans in Lee County. They collected oral histories from Black residents in rural Appalachia, while also hosting seminars on racism and oppression.

Mrs. Carson is survived by her husband of 45 years, Ron Carson, and two children Kevin and wife Jacintha Carson (Alexandria, VA) and Alexis and husband Mark Perkins (Bristol, VA). Additionally, two precious granddaughters Zara and Mya Carson, sister Jackie Barrows and husband Anthony, special niece and nephew Tracey Stanley and Troy Johnson, mother-in-law Shirley Taylor, uncle Roy Carson and cousin April Matthews. I offer them my condolences on their loss.

She leaves behind a lasting legacy in Southwest Virginia and, her presence and friendship will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, having missed a vote today, I wish to submit the following: had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 118.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I come to talk today about getting back to the basics. This place has, in fact, been broken, and a number of the rules that we worked on were to bring authority back and bring us back to the principles of Jefferson's parliamentary practice and procedure, his manual on that.

I would say to the ladies and gentlemen that we should look at that document for what its principles stand for. What it stands for is--and it says right in the preamble, Jefferson writes: ``For some of the most familiar and experienced members,''--referencing they are members of parliament because that is what he based it on--``that nothing tended more to throw power into the hands of administration, and those who acted with the majority of the House of Commons, than a neglect of, or departure from, the rules of proceeding; that these forms, as instituted by our ancestors, operated as a check and control on the actions of the majority, and that they were, in many instances, a shelter and protection to the minority against the attempts of power.''

So when I go out there, Mr. Speaker, and ask that we change these rules to make sure that we have rules that help protect all Members, including the minority Members, you can imagine my surprise and shock today when I hear that they are opposed to rules that do some very basic things--things that the American people are going to be shocked that we don't already do--such as a single purpose rule, that you cannot introduce a bill that doesn't have a single purpose or theme to that bill. That can be complicated, but it has to have an overarching theme, something that this bill is attempting to do right from the get- go. The sole purpose rule.

Mr. Speaker, then there is the germaneness, coming up with a stricter germaneness interpretation. As we know, that also helps so that you don't end up having happen what we had happen last summer where somebody introduces a bill to mint a commemorative coin and it turns into the Inflation Reduction Act. That is absolutely ridiculous. Hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of pages came out of a one- paragraph bill. No. That is wrong.

Mr. Speaker, this allows us more power to say ``no'' on the floor by the individual Members.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the additional time that the gentleman yielded to me. As you can tell, I get fired up about these issues.

The bottom line is that this rules package is the best rules package of either party in a number of years because instead of worrying about what might happen next week, this rules package worries about the future of the United States Congress. It is a good package, and I wholeheartedly support it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor K. Donald Nicewonder of Bristol, Virginia, who passed away on November 12, 2022, at the age of 84. Mr. Nicewonder was a businessman whose success in the coal business provided the resources for his philanthropy.

Mr. Nicewonder was born to John and Lena Nicewonder on November 13, 1937. He attended Emory and Henry College for two weeks before going to work at a surface coal mine owned by his older brother, J.D. After two years at his brother's companies, he began two of his own companies in Kentucky. He later sold these to McCulloch Oil Corporation and in 1974 purchased land in Buchanan County, Virginia, and McDowell County, West Virginia, with a small group of partners. In the 1980s, he sought new coal reserves and started four new surface mining companies in West Virginia with his sons, operations that produced approximately four million tons of marketable coal per year at their peak. In 2005, Mr. Nicewonder and his family sold their mining operations to Alpha Natural Resources.

His interest in coal extended to reclaiming old mining properties and reusing them for different purposes, including an airport, a portion of the King Coal Highway, and the Twisted Gun Golf Course of Wharncliffe, West Virginia. He told the Golf Channel, ``Being in West Virginia in mining for ten years, I thought it would be a great gesture to give the people in southern West Virginia a nice place to come play golf and let people see what can be done with some of this abandoned mine land.''

Coal constituted just one part of Mr. Nicewonder's business legacy. The Nicewonder Group he launched with family and other partners controls multiple businesses. The Virginian is a golf course built near his home in 1992, later accompanied by a vineyard and a resort. The group is involved in shopping centers, office buildings, and condos in Virginia and Florida and owns clay deposits in Virginia and Vermont.

Mr. Nicewonder's business success empowered him to give generously to causes in his home region. He supported educational institutions such as Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia's College at Wise, Sullins Academy, and the Morrison School. Mr. Nicewonder and his brother J.D. have also supported health care providers in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, contributing to the well-being of the region's people.

Mr. Nicewonder is survived by his wife of 65 years, Etta Nicewonder; two sons, Kenny Nicewonder of Bristol, Virginia, and Kevin Nicewonder and his wife, Kim Grace Nicewonder of Abingdon, Virginia; one daughter, Kim Nicewonder Johnson of Bristol, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Reid Nicewonder of Los Angeles; California, Paulena Johnson of the Netherlands, Ross Nicewonder of Denver, Colorado, Nick Nicewonder of Asheville, North Carolina, Carly Nicewonder of Bristol, Virginia, Lexi Johnson of Alexandria, Virginia, and Steven Johnson of Bristol, Virginia; and brother, J.D. Nicewonder and his wife Loraine Nicewonder of Bristol, Virginia. I offer them my condolences on the loss of a great Bristol businessman and philanthropist.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Adris Albert ``Al'' Davis Sr. of Fairlawn, Virginia, who passed away on September 13, 2022, at the age of 72. Mr. Davis was a patriot and veteran of the United States Armed Forces.

Mr. Davis was born on December 28, 1949, to Albert and Blanche Davis. He graduated from Bramwell High School in Bramwell, West Virginia. He served in the Marine Corps and the Army Reserve and earned two Purple Hearts in the Vietnam War. In the following years, he found purpose in helping his fellow veterans. He stayed active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1184 in Pulaski and the American Legion Post No. 58 in Dublin.

Mr. Davis was also a man of deep faith, belonging to First Missionary Baptist Church in Fairlawn and serving as an usher and trustee.

Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his wife Constance T. Banks-Davis. He is survived by his significant other Emily Doucette; sons Michael Kelly, Adris ``Hootie'' Davis Jr., and Andrew Primm; daughters Yonnie Stinson, Maria Davis-Harris (Tony), Somer Davis, Darnisha Primm, and Kendra ``Kenny'' Wright (Quentin); 16 grandchildren; and 10 great- grandchildren. I offer them my condolences on their loss. Mr. Davis was a kind man who never missed an opportunity to serve.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Laura Tucker of Salem, Virginia, upon receiving the Charles Brown Award from Roanoke College. The award recognizes citizens of Salem who have made significant contributions to the well-being of the City and its people, and Ms. Tucker is certainly deserving of the honor.

Ms. Tucker works for the Salem Water Department and as an instructional assistant in

Salem City Schools, but she dedicates so much more of her time and her effort to the City. Through Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia, she mentors elementary school students through programs on financial literacy, good citizenship, entrepreneurship, and career paths. JA named her its volunteer of the year in 2018.

For Salem's 215th birthday, Ms. Tucker co-founded a grassroots social media group, Salem215, to celebrate the City and share news about its cultural, economic, and governmental activities. She is also a staunch patron of Roanoke College's Toy Like Me program to modify toys for children with disabilities, donating to it, referring children to it, and assisting with its activities.

I would like to offer Laura my sincerest congratulations on receiving the Charles Brown Award, a recognition of all the good that she has done and continues to do for our hometown.