Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize Miriam Atria on her recent retirement from Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism. As President and CEO, Miriam made a unique and significant contribution to tourism in South Carolina, helping to establish Lake Murray's reputation as the ``Jewel of South Carolina.'' She and her husband Nick are an exceptional team.

Over her 42 years in the tourism industry, Miriam has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2009 Governor's Cup Award, 2015 Champion of Economic Impact on Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management Award, and the 2016 Rudy Award by the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. Additionally, in 2023, she was honored with the Fred Brinkman Award at the South Carolina Governor's Conference on Tourism and Travel.

Miriam had a vision for tourism in the Midlands and accomplished the opening of the Lake Murray Country Visitors Center. She was instrumental in having the historic Lorick Plantation Home moved from St. Andrews Road to its current location on North Lake Drive. The Lorick Plantation Home was built in 1840, and withstood occupation by Union troops during the Civil War. It was donated by Mrs. Helen Green Love to Capital City/Lake Murray Country and relocated in 1995 with the relocation I attended as one of Miriam's appreciated board members.

I honor Miriam Atria for all her contributions for the people of South Carolina. Please join me in wishing her continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Major General MG Jami C. Shawley, the Director of Defense Policy and Strategy, and Acting Senior Director for Africa on the National Security Council.

Commissioned in 1992 into Aviation through the United States Military Academy, she began her career flying AH-1 helicopters in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and went on to hold company, battalion, and brigade staff roles in both the 2nd Infantry Division and the 3d Infantry Division in Savannah, Georgia. She later commanded a company in the 224th Aerial Exploitation Military Intelligence Battalion.

In 2006, MG Shawley re-entered active duty as an Active Guard Reserve officer. Over her distinguished career, she served in the 244th Aviation Brigade, at Human Resources Command, on staff in Headquarters, Department of the Army, and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She commanded the 2-228th Aviation Regiment as it supported simultaneous split rotations in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and in the counterdrug fight in the SOUTHCOM theater.

Additionally, MG Shawley served as military advisor to the Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism, and later as a senior crisis operations and policy officer for the bureau. She then served as the Assistant Deputy Director for the Joint Staff J5-Africa. As a general officer, she has commanded the Army Reserve Aviation Command, the 81st Readiness Division headquartered at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa in Djibouti.

On a personal note, my District Director, Captain Alex Morris, served alongside MG Shawley in Djibouti. During that time, Alex had the honor of serving as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Jami Shawley, an experience he speaks very highly of.

MG Shawley has an extensive military education, including the Army Aviation Basic Course and flight school, the Engineer Advanced Course, the National War College, and more. She holds two master's degrees and has received many awards and badges, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Senior Aviator Badge.

As MG Shawley prepares to retire, we recognize and honor her extraordinary career and lifelong commitment to service. I am grateful for her leadership, sacrifice, and dedication to America. I wish her the very best in her well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Virginia J. Burnley, Chief Government Relations Officer at the United Service Organizations (USO), for her service to America over the past eight years.

Virginia joined the USO senior staff team in 2017 as Senior Vice President of Government Relations and External Affairs, earning herself

the title of Chief Government Relations Officer. She has excelled in this role and provided my staff and myself with outstanding service.

With many accomplishments, Virginia notably has more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit community, senior levels of federal service, state government, and the private sector.

Since joining the USO, she has been a strong and steady champion for service members and their families, earning the deep respect of her colleagues and those she interacted with.

As we wish the best to Virginia, I am grateful to continue working with Clint Cowan, who currently serves as Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs at the USO.

America values Virginia's leadership, knowledge, and dedication. I wish for her continued success.

Mr. Speaker, 31 years ago, Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum, giving up their nuclear arsenal in exchange for territorial guarantees by America, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Sadly, it has been murderously broken by war criminal Putin as Soviets break all treaties.

President Donald Trump tried to deter war criminal Putin by sending Javelin missiles to Ukraine, placing troops in Poland, and stopping Nord Stream 2.

Ukrainian courage and determination is inspiring, affirmed by unity of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe led by President Pere Joan Pons with Ukraine support from U.K. MP Chair Sharon Hodgson.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump as the New York Post has editorialized: Putin sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner packing with yet more aerial assaults on Ukrainian civilians. American public support for Ukraine is growing.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Rogers for yielding.

I am grateful to support the National Defense Authorization Act. I appreciate House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers for his success on peace through strength, working together with Ranking Member Adam Smith.

I am grateful that the language that I proposed to support missions at the Savannah River Site and nuclear modernization was included. The two-site solution shows American commitment to peace through strength.

Support for defense programs at universities like the University of South Carolina has provided for the promotion of academia and national security together.

With President Trump's envoy, Tom Barrack, history is being made today for the repeal of the Caesar Act, giving Syrians a chance after 54 years of Ba'athist socialist dictatorship, a message to the dictators in Tehran.

Finally, enhancing security ties with European allies to defeat war criminal Putin keeps American families safe at home.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, the Syrian people achieved the historic impossible. After 12 years of murderous conflict with 54 years of Baathist socialist dictatorship, they drove out the sadistic regime of al-Assad.

President Donald Trump has proclaimed successfully ``give Syria a chance.''

Under Assad, half a million people were killed, half of the nation was displaced, and 90 percent of the country was in poverty.

In August, I visited Damascus with Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Trump envoy Tom Barrack and saw the devastation of war. It was inspiring, though, to meet with President al-Sharaa, his cabinet, and the diverse interfaith leaders.

Syria has a real promise of stability benefiting all the Middle East, including change in Tehran. That is why both of us, a Democrat and Republican, appreciate so much the repeal of the Caesar Act, which is sanctions on the Assad regime with the full support of President Donald Trump.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump, speaking lovely in the morning and conducting mass murder in the evening.

Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate the 80th birthday of Dr. Hatem Hossino of Charleston, West Virginia. Dr. Hossino was born on December 7, 1945 in Salamiyeh, Syria, later emigrating to the United States. Dr. Hossino has lived the American dream. He opened his vascular and general surgery practice in Charleston, West Virginia in 1978, where he continues to practice serving the community. In February 2023, former Governor Jim Justice recognized Dr. Hossino as a Distinguished Mountaineer, noting that ``his commitment to his community and career has been an outstanding example for us all.'' I am grateful for Dr. Hossino's service to the community and for sharing his son, Omar Hossino, an invaluable contributor to our office. I wish Dr. Hossino a happy birthday, and prayers for many more.

Mr. Speaker, this week, AAPICO announced a historic investment in Orangeburg, South Carolina of one hundred and twenty million dollars, which will create three hundred and ninety-two jobs.

AAPICO is a publicly listed tier one automotive parts manufacturer based in the Kingdom of Thailand with more than thirty years of industry experience, that excels in the production of jigs, dies, press parts, chassis frame components, cradles, plastic parts, and forged and machined components. Sodecia Aapico JV's new 400,000-square-foot facility, located in Orangeburg, will manufacture ladder frames predominately for SUV and truck model vehicles and will open in 2027.

The enduring alliance of the United States and Thailand continues to positively support the lives and economies of people in both nations. I am grateful to Ambassador Suriya Chindawongse for his continuing support of Thai relations and the U.S.-Thai Alliance Caucus, which I am grateful to Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to President Donald J. Trump and the governments of the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the signing of what has been widely described as a ``historic'' peace agreement--brokered by the United States--to bring stability to eastern Congo and chart a new course for regional cooperation signed today at the Donald J. Trump United States Institute for Peace.

This accord, signed in Washington and set to formalize measures first agreed in June, stands out as a bold and necessary step toward ending decades of conflict that have devastated communities, displaced millions, and hindered development across the region.

The leadership displayed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame to choose dialogue over division, collaboration over conflict, deserves recognition and respect. President Trump and President Kagame's dedication to Peace is admirable and the facilitation of Rwandan Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana is appreciated.

Today, we celebrate not just a document, but a renewed hope: hope for stability, for prosperity, hope for a future where war no longer defines entire generations. I congratulate President Trump for fostering enduring peace for the region.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize Army congressional fellow Captain Andrew ``Andy'' George for his service to America and the citizens of South Carolina.

Throughout his dedication to the office, Andy has been a valued team member for legislation supporting the military and veterans.

After graduating from Virginia Tech, Andy served in leadership positions within the 101st Airborne Division, including deployment to Syria with Operation Inherent Resolve. Andy later served as a special operational detachment commander for multinational exercises in Central and South America. Impressively, Andy is a White House military social aide.

The only unfortunate quality about this Massachusetts native is that he is a fan of the New England Patriots.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump, and mocking Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow today as Putin threatens expanded war in Europe.

Mr. Speaker, I was otherwise detained off the floor.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 306, and YEA on Roll Call No. 307.

Mr. Speaker, I was otherwise detained off the floor. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 308 and AYE on Roll Call No. 309.

Mr. Speaker, as we return from Thanksgiving with families and friends, I am grateful that, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, America is beating inflation, leading to lower costs, higher pay, and job creation.

The cost of Thanksgiving dinner itself decreased by 5 percent, with 16 percent less for turkey.

Additionally, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is working for American families. Inflation has dropped almost in half. Gas prices are at the lowest level in 4 years. American families are saving up to $2,100. America has attracted nearly $20 trillion in foreign investments-- promises made, promises kept.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstating peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump as Putin mass murders civilians across Ukraine.

As a 31-year National Guard veteran myself with three National Guard sons, our sympathy to the family of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and prayers for Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe. Both are American heroes standing for liberty and freedom in our own country.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of American families, Republicans have delivered on the promises made by President Donald Trump to create jobs for affordability.

Signed into law by President Trump, appropriately on July Fourth, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act puts American families first. The law will raise wages up to $3,300 for every American worker. It eliminates taxes on Social Security for 88 percent of recipients. It permanently extends tax cuts that will create jobs. It eliminates taxes on tips, adding an average of $1,300 annually for workers. It also will eliminate taxes on overtime, adding an average of $1,400 for millions of hourly workers.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump as The Washington Times exposes today that 25 civilians were murdered yesterday by Putin near NATO ally Poland with children burned alive.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman David Wright, and Speaker Mike Johnson, House Republicans are working to increase American energy production. This will, in turn, make energy prices affordable and reliable, creating jobs.

Last night, we voted to pass bills which will:

Unleash nearly 19 million acres of land for oil and gas leasing, and energy infrastructure, leading to lower prices;

Overturn restrictions and ensure access to over 48 billion tons of coal, enough to meet American coal needs for the next 116 years, lowering prices and creating jobs; and

Repeal the Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas development for more than 1 million acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Promises made, promises kept of the all-of-the-above energy policies programs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump, mocking Trump, mass murdering Ukrainian civilians, and sacrificing his own Russian and North Korean troops.