Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the House one final time. When I came to Washington, a former colleague of mine told our freshman class how fortunate we all were to be part of this body. I will never forget him saying he always felt humbled each and every time he saw the Capitol and when he walked on this floor. He warned us all: The day that you don't feel humbled walking on this floor or when you see the Capitol, it is time to retire and go home.

This comment stuck with me, and I still get chills every time I walk on this floor or I see this glorious Capitol at night.

In this very Chamber, so much of the history of our country and the history of the modern world has been made: The decision to start and end wars, the decision to end slavery, the decision to give women the right to vote, and much more debated and agreed upon in this very room.

I never thought that I would end up here. I spent most of my life building small businesses, growing my family, and doing what I could do to give back to my community. Then I got frustrated with the direction of our government and the decisions our leaders were making at that time, so I got involved and tried to make a difference.

If I could go back in time to when I was 25 years old and tell myself that I would be standing here on this floor today, I never would have believed myself. It is impossible to believe. In fact, all the odds are against me. In fact, I have better odds of starting on an NBA basketball team than I do to be a Member of Congress. Those are some pretty large odds.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the accomplishments that my team and I have made over the past 4 years. We have written and passed legislation that has unleashed American energy, protected Alabama's resources, reduced the size and scope of the Federal Government, and returned millions of tax dollars back home for important projects.

We have also helped countless veterans get the benefits they earned, recovered millions of dollars from the IRS, expedited hundreds of passport requests, secured FEMA disaster relief after natural disasters, protected small businesses from unnecessary red tape, and on and on.

As any Member of this body knows, none of this would be possible without the countless hours of our hardworking, talented, and dedicated staff. To each of my current staff and to each of my former staff, I thank them. I thank them for their dedication to Alabama's First Congressional District and for being part of my team.

My hopes and prayers for this country are so positive knowing that we have a generation of young people like them and with their passion coming up behind us.

I lovingly give most all of them nicknames, like Junior, Little Bubba, Chilia, Coooper, Bogie Bogie, Chief, Busy, Jesus, and, yes, my favorite vegan, T-Bone. They are all forever part of Team Carl. I am proud to have played a role in each of their careers.

I also could not have done anything without the love and support of my wife, Tina, and our family. My family has always believed in me and supported me, and I look forward to spending more time with them very soon.

Tina, start your grinning because Big Daddy is headed home.

To the folks in the First District, I thank them for giving me the chance to represent them, to bring our shared values to Washington. I do not take lightly the job that each of them has entrusted me with, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

The future of south Alabama, our entire State, and our Nation is so bright. I truly believe our best days are ahead of us.

God bless Alabama. God bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Ronald Peebles for receiving the 2024 Fire Chief of the Year Award. Ronald has served as Fire Chief since 2013 and continues to serve in this role. While Ronald has worked with the Atmore Fire Department, he has led efforts to acquire a new radio system to enhance public communications, collaborated with city leaders to purchase 4 new cab pumpers, and promoted fire safety education for elementary students. His commitment to the Atmore community is admirable. I am honored to have such a courageous and selfless individual residing in our district. I am proud to congratulate Ronald on achieving this outstanding award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Louis English for being named Career Firefighter of the Year for 2024. Louis began his career in 1985 as a Firefighter 1 and received Firefighter 2 certification in 1999. In 2013, he was appointed as Captain. He retired from active fire service in March of 2016 but chose to remain as a volunteer. In June of 2016, he was reinstated as an Active Reserve. With 28 years of full-time service and 8 years of service in the Active Reserve, Captain Louis English has dedicated his life to helping others. I am so proud to have such a selfless individual residing in our district. I congratulate Louis English on this outstanding award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember a faithful husband, friend, father and grandfather, John Durwood Skipper, Jr.

He graduated from Dothan High School in 1970 and from Troy University in 1974. He served in the Coast Guard for 31 years and was a Regional Sales Manager with DPC Enterprises. John was an active member of the Mobile County Republican Party and of the Mobile Sunrise Rotary Club. Additionally, he served on the Alabama State Republican Executive Committee for over 15 years. He was a man of deep faith and a devout member of West Mobile Baptist Church for over 30 years.

I am honored to have known such a courageous civic leader and friend. He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Judge Don Davis on his upcoming retirement after 24 years of service.

Upon graduation from the University of South Alabama and Cumberland School of Law, Judge Don Davis began his legal career at McDermott, Slepian, Windom, & Reed in 1981. The firm later merged with Sirote & Permutt, and Judge Davis remained with the firm until 2001, when he became the judge of probate of Mobile County, Alabama. He was elected to serve as the judge of probate in November 2000 and was reelected in 2006, 2012, and 2018 without opposition.

His numerous accomplishments include implementing a new election system for Mobile County, receiving the More Than A Lawyer Award, formulating the Mobile Volunteer Guardian Program, and chairing the triathlon host committee for the Tri the Gulf Triathlon.

I am honored to congratulate Judge Don Davis on his career accomplishments, and I wish him the best of luck in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kyle Hostetler, a first responder and recent winner of The Atmore Advance Readers' Choice Awards. The residents honored Kyle by selecting him as their favorite first responder in the area. The award is chosen annually by the individuals residing within a 60-mile radius of Atmore, Alabama. The ceremony was held on September 10, 2024, to honor Kyle and the recent winners of these awards. Prior to attending his graduation from the Alabama Fire College in 2021, Kyle attended Coastal Alabama Community College's Brewton campus. As a first responder, Kyle bravely goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of Atmore's residents. I am honored to have such a courageous individual residing in and serving the people of the First District of Alabama. I am proud to congratulate Kyle on receiving this outstanding award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember a dear friend, Dr. Shelia Ross who passed away on September 13 after a hard- fought battle of cancer. As the Director of The University of South Alabama Health Stroke Program, Dr. Ross was focused on working with other health officials and community members on advocating for brain health and stroke care. She used every opportunity to educate the residents of Mobile about the functions of the brain, in specific relation to strokes. I am honored to have had such a courageous individual and friend residing in and helping the people of the First District of Alabama, and we will miss her greatly.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it may be in order at any time on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting His Excellency Binyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to honor Baldwin County Sheriff Huey ``Hoss'' Mack, who will be retiring later this year and will become the director of Alabama Sheriffs Association.

Sheriff Hoss Mack served as the county sheriff for the last 18 years. His educational background includes a degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in human resource management.

He began service in Baldwin County Sheriff's Office in 1989 before becoming sheriff and was elected in 2006. Sheriff Hoss Mack has always been heavily involved in multiple criminal justice organizations, including both the Alabama and the National Sheriffs' Association. Not only has Hoss served Baldwin County with the utmost integrity, but he has been a friend of mine, and I appreciate that.

He is a true American and a true public servant. Baldwin County is blessed to have had Sheriff Hoss Mack for the last 35 years, and I wish him fair winds and good luck in his next endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, my bill, the Alabama Underwater Forestry National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act is an important measure to safeguard Alabama's ancient underwater cypress forest.

Importantly, this bill strikes a balance between conservation and recreational use of this site. By designating the underwater forest as a national marine sanctuary, we are preserving a one-of-a-kind, 60,000- year-old natural marvel. There isn't anything quite like Alabama's underwater forest that has been discovered in terms of the size and the age that we are dealing with here.

The underwater forest offers an opportunity for recreational opportunities such as scuba diving and fishing. The bill ensures that the site remains protected, prohibiting the removal of ancient trees while allowing responsible access for the public. Just like Yellowstone or Yosemite, this forest should be accessible to tourists while protected from disruptive activities--and this bill does just that.

It is critical to recognize the benefits that will ripple through south Alabama's economy. We are not just preserving a natural wonder; we are laying the foundation for sustained economic gains. This legislation ensures the underwater cypress forest remains a source of pride, wonder, and economic opportunity for generations to come.

I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to share my displeasure with the Mexican Government.

We have an Alabama-based company, Vulcan Materials, which has faced continuous harassment and intimidation from the Mexican Government since Mexico illegally invaded and shut down their operations 2 years ago.

The President of Mexico has unlawfully seized Vulcan's port, undermining trust in Mexico's commitment to foreign trade agreements.

If this is the way Mexico wants to do business with us, we should look long and hard at all our business dealings with them.

This jeopardizes the relationship when we should be prioritizing our strength in the Western Hemisphere and reducing our dependence on China.

I am working with the House Appropriations Committee to warn Mexico that if they continue ignoring the rule of law, then they will face consequences. Upholding the rule of law is essential for effective trade agreements. Violators, including Mexico, will be held accountable. We will investigate and potentially sanction any private citizens involved in this illegal scheme to prevent Vulcan from profiting from their land that was stolen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to recognize the historic acts of Deputy Bellew and members of the Fort Morgan Fire Department.

On April 19, Corporal Boros, Deputy Bellew, and other members of the Fort Morgan Fire Department rescued three distressed swimmers off the coast. The fire department began the operation with special equipment. Once Deputy Bellew arrived, he removed his duty belt and body armor and put on his swim vest, jumped in the water, and saved the swimmers.

That day, three people in the water were saved while swimming. That day, three people were saved from drowning. I cannot be prouder to represent District One, which is filled with brave, dedicated law enforcement officers like Deputy Bellew.

With many voices screaming to defund the police, we must emphasize how vital our officers are to us. Every day, these men and women tirelessly serve the American people, and I cannot thank them enough.

I will always back the blue.

Mr. Speaker, as Americans, we pride ourselves on our individual liberties and due process of law. We were founded on the freedom of religion, and it is one of the most important freedoms that we hold. I am deeply disturbed by the ongoing situation of religious persecution in Nicaragua. The Mountain Gateway pastors, who spread the teachings of Jesus, have been violated at the hands of the Nicaraguan government. No person should ever be imprisoned for peacefully practicing their religion. Religious persecution is both intolerable and barbaric. The radical, leftist government of Nicaragua and President Daniel Ortega have proven themselves time again to be horribly oppressive. As a member of the United States Congress, I condemn Nicaragua's actions, and I will always fight for religious freedom at home and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Daisy Branch for her 82nd birthday. As a devout member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, one of Alabama's oldest historically black Episcopal churches, Daisy embodies the highest ideals of faith and community.

She is also a member of the Cheerio Club, where she ministers to the sick and shut-in, exemplifying her dedication to caring for others. Daisy's acts of kindness extend far beyond her church community. She prepares meals for bereaved families, providing solace and support during their time of need. Her care has touched the lives of many and enriched our community immeasurably.

In representing the First District of Alabama, I take great pride in acknowledging individuals like Daisy Branch, whose grace and generosity elevate our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd for their 170th Church Anniversary. Formed in 1854, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd has triumphed through wars, economic turmoil, and the Civil Rights Movement. Their motto. ``Guiding and supporting one another, to love and to serve, giving thanks to God for our rich heritage,'' embodies who they are and how they live their lives as a congregation. The Church truly has a profound legacy of being Alabama's oldest historically black Episcopal church. We are so grateful for the impact that this Church has on our great state and Alabama's First Congressional District.