Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I was grateful to join Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republican colleagues in addressing the media to mark the first 100 days of the House majority and to present success with the Commitment to America. This includes a strong economy, a nation that is safe, a future built on freedom, and an accountable government.

Highlights so far include defunding Joe Biden's army of 87,000 IRS agents, eliminating the military vaccine mandate, establishing the bipartisan committee to strengthen America against the Chinese Communist Party, protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, passing the Parents Bill of Rights Act, and also passing the Lower Energy Costs Act.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America.

America supports the people of Russia oppressed by war criminal Putin, as we see by the persecution of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who, as has been exposed by today's Washington Post, is fighting for a free Russia. We shall remember Vladimir Kara-Murza.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all South Carolinians, I am grateful to wish World War II veteran, Mr. Thomas Fearrington, a Happy 100th Birthday.

Thomas Fearrington was born on April 18th, 1923, in Greenville, Mississippi. In 1940, Tom graduated from Valdese High School in North Carolina and enrolled in North Carolina State University's civilian military training program. In 1943, the program was cancelled, and Tom was sent to basic training at Camp Wheeler near Macon, Georgia and Camp Blanding in Starke, Florida.

In 1944, Tom was sent to Europe where he was assigned to the 101st Airborne, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, Second Battalion, Easy Company. He was a part of the first wave of gliders in Operation Market Garden. After landing in Son, Netherlands, Tom fought across Hell's Highway for seventy-five days until the battle ended and his unit was sent back to France.

After arriving in France, Tom's unit made their way to Bastogne, Belgium. The 327th Glider Infantry Regiment greatly defended the city during the Battle of Bulge from December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945. Tom served in Europe until the war ended and was awarded the Bronze Star for his great service to the United States. After the war, Tom completed his degree at N.C. State University and moved with his wife, Doris, to Columbia, South Carolina, where he still resides.

Today, I honor Mr. Thomas Fearrington for his service to the American people and wish him a Happy 100th Birthday and the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, today I to honor the life of Mr. Bernard E. Grossman of Lexington, South Carolina, and offer my sympathy to his family.

I was honored to present Mr. Bernard E. Grossman with his Bronze Star Medal that he earned while serving as a Specialist Four in Phan Thiet, Vietnam on April 21, 1966. Mr. Grossman's platoon in Vietnam received heavy casualties from enemy fire. Specialist Grossman quickly took charge of the survivors, assisted the wounded, relayed the instructions of his platoon leader, and brought effective fire on the enemy positions. It was only after successful defeat of the enemy that he then informed his platoon leader of his wounds. We appreciate his great service and personal courage that was with the highest traditions of the military service. His valiant actions also reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Army. I include in the Record the following obituary for Bernard E. Grossman:

Bernie Grossman, 77 of Lexington, SC passed away Thursday,

March 30th peacefully at his home. Born in Rochester, New

York, he worked over 35 years as an aerospace executive for

Lockheed, Burbank, California, Fairchild Republic, Maryland

and Long Island, and United Technology (United Space

Booster), Cape Canaveral, Florida. His last position was with

GE Middle River Aerospace running the trust reversal division

where he retired in 2005. He served in Viet-Nam with the U.S.

Army's 327th Infantry Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He

was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Metal

for Valor.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 42 years Rosalind

Grossman who he met and served with in the United Army

Reserves at a Non-Commissioned Officer Academy as

Instructors. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling.

Survivors also include his daughter, Jean Grossman, son,

Michael Taylor, five grandchildren and one great-grandson all

of California. Sister, Leah Ganoe and brother Samuel Grossman

both of New York as well as numerous nieces, nephews from

their blended family. There will be a celebration of life

service 12 PM, Saturday, April 15th at Christian Life Church,

2700 Bush River Drive, Columbia, SC 29210. The family will

hold visitation prior to the service from 11-11:45 AM In lieu

of flowers, the family requests donation to: Harvest Hope

Food Bank, P.O. Box 451, Columbia, SC 29202 in Bernie

Grossman s name.

Mr. Speaker, today I am grateful to honor the life of Prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz and offer my sympathy to his family. I along with Congresswoman Lois Frankel, co-led H.R. 6015, the Benjamin Berell Ferencz Congressional Gold Medal Act, which provided for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Mr. Ferencz in recognition of his service to the United States and the international community during the post-World War II Nuremberg trails and his lifelong advocacy for international criminal justice and the rule of law. The bill unanimously passed the House on May 10, 2022, and was signed into law in December. I am grateful for Mr. Ferencz's outstanding service and dedication to achieving international justice. I include in the Record the following obituary for Prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz:

In 2011, at the age of 92, the diminutive but indomitable

Benjamin Ferencz rose to deliver the closing prosecution

speech at the first trial ever heard before the international

criminal court (ICC) in The Hague. Wearing black robes and a

starched white neck band, the veteran lawyer, who had

prosecuted Nazi mass murderers at the Nuremberg war crimes

trials more than 60 years earlier, saluted a ``historic

moment in the evolution of international criminal law''.

Granting Ferencz, who has died aged 103, the honour of

appearing on the prosecution team--in the trial of a

Congolese warlord--acknowledged the extraordinary role he had

played in advancing the cause of international justice. The

last surviving Nuremberg prosecutor, he had dedicated his

life to campaigning, successfully, for the establishment of a

permanent court--the ICC--to try the world's most serious

crimes and for laws establishing the crime of aggression.

Guided by his motto, ``Law, Not War'', Ferencz was still

giving television interviews last year--arguing that those

responsible for atrocities in Ukraine must be brought to

trial.

His reputation rested on two criminal trials he conducted

at the age of 27 before US military courts sitting at

Nuremberg in 1947 after the second world war. At the time, he

had no previous experience leading courtroom prosecutions.

His first case was against SS officers who organized the

Einsatzgruppen mobile death squads operating in Nazi-occupied

eastern Europe. An estimated two million people were shot or

beaten to death and their bodies dumped in pits; the majority

of the victims were Jewish.

The documentary evidence Ferencz assembled was so

persuasive that he did not need to rely on witnesses. Opening

his argument, Ferencz declared: ``Vengeance is not our goal .

. . we ask this court to affirm by international penal action

man's right to live in peace and dignity.'' It was later

dubbed the biggest murder trial in history.

Twenty-two of the 24 Einsatzgruppen defendants were found

guilty of crimes against humanity. Fourteen were sentenced to

death and four eventually hanged. Ferencz had not requested

the death penalty.

His second Nuremberg trial, in which he appeared as special

counsel, involved the Krupp armaments group, whose directors

were accused of crimes against humanity and exploitation of

100,000 slave labourers. Eleven directors were found guilty

and served prison terms of between three and 12 years.

Ferencz was born in a Transylvanian village, Somcuta Mare,

which was then in Hungary and later became part of Romania.

Shortly afterwards his parents, Sarah (nee Schwartz) and

Joseph Ferencz, fled with their two children to the US to

escape antisemitism.

Benjamin was raised in the Hell's Kitchen district of New

York, an area then renowned for poverty and crime. He won a

scholarship to Harvard law school, where he researched war

crimes. In 1943, he enlisted as a soldier and fought his way

from the Normandy beaches to the Battle of the Bulge. His

legal experience resulted in his being called into General

George Patton's headquarters, where he was reassigned as a

war crimes investigator. In Buchenwald and other

concentration camps, he saw piles of corpses and emaciated

survivors. His first target, he later recalled, was to seize

the death records and correspondence that provided the

evidence used at Nuremberg. He was discharged after the war

and returned to New York to practice law and marry Gertrude

Fried. In 1946, however, he was recruited to join the

American war crimes unit at the Nuremberg trials.

The couple spent the next decade in Germany, where four

children were born and Ferencz worked alongside General

Telford Taylor, lead prosecutor at the U.S. military

tribunals. When the trials finished in 1949, Ferencz

coordinated reparations claims for Jewish survivors' groups.

In 1956, he returned to New York and opened a law firm with

Taylor, but later turned his attention to campaigning for a

permanent international criminal court. He wrote legal and

popular books, the last of which, Make It Count, an

autobiography, was published earlier this year. One of

Ferencz 's greatest regrets was that the US consistently

refused to ratify the ICC agreement and, in his words,

repeatedly ``tried to kill the idea''.

International recognition of Ferencz's contribution came

towards the end of his life. In his 90s, a path alongside the

international court of justice in The Hague was named after

him and a bench set up with the motto Law, Not War.

Ferencz identified the problem that international criminal

law is a patchwork where offenders who commit atrocities

often escape justice because many states have still not

ratified international court statutes. His response was

``Never give up!''

``He was inspiring precisely because in the face of all the

horror, he somehow managed to be optimistic,'' Philippe

Sands, professor of international law at University College,

London, said.

Sir Geoffrey Nice, a war crimes prosecutor at the

international criminal court for the former Yugoslavia, who

also cooperated with Ferencz, paid tribute to the way in

which he ``turned the traumas he experienced . . . into an

enduring determination to learn and teach from them''.

Gertrude died in 2019. He is survived by his son, Don, who

continued his father's work developing international

jurisdiction for the crime of aggression, three daughters,

Nina, Robin and Keri, and three grandchildren.

Benjamin Berell Ferencz, war crimes prosecutor, born 11

March 1920; died 7 April 2023.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, the Biden budget would destroy jobs, slash wages, and reduce economic growth, according to a new study by the Tax Foundation.

The budget will raise taxes by $4.7 trillion and reduce economic growth. Americans are experiencing record-high levels of inflation under Biden, and his plan will cut wages by a full percent.

The newly elected Republican majority is focused on fiscal sanity and creating jobs.

Congratulations champion Matt Fitzpatrick of Sheffield, England, on victory yesterday at the RBC Heritage presented by Boeing, at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

I appreciate the success of Royal Bank of Canada President Dave McKay, Boeing National Strategy Director Lindsay Leonard, Heritage Classic Foundation Chairman Simon Fraser, and Tournament Director Steve Wilmot.

The victory was special as it has been a vacation favorite for the Fitzpatrick family from the United Kingdom for many years.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues, moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Elias Gedeon, senior vice president for Westinghouse Energy Systems, for signing a Memorandum of Understanding to commence preparation for the probable deployment of at least one of their AP1000 reactors to Bulgaria's Kozloduy nuclear power plant.

Kozloduy NPP-Newbuild, with chairman Georgy Kirkov, has undertaken the project, implemented March 1st, to build the new reactors at the site, ensure the licensing and structure comply with regulations, while also achieving Bulgaria's nuclear energy goals.

``This cooperative agreement sets us up on a path toward providing both economic and environmental benefits from the Bulgarian people while bolstering the country's energy security,'' stated David Durham, Energy Systems President for Westinghouse.

As chairman of the Bulgarian Caucus, I appreciate President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev on the significant development made towards reaching the country's nuclear energy goals.

Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus I want to recognize that 51 years ago on April 4, 1972, the United States recognized Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan.

During the nine-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War, members of the Pakistan Armed Forces and pro-Pakistani militias killed hundreds of thousands of people and injured many more. The war for independence was a struggle for democracy and freedom led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The economic situation facing Bangladesh as it emerged from the war of independence was dire. The Bengali people faced widespread poverty, chronic malnutrition of the masses, the dislocation of over 10 million people who had fled from their homes during the conflict, fragile banking and monetary system and inflation, which ran between 300 and 400 percent, and low foreign exchange resources.

The war of independence had crippled the domestic transportation system with roads, railways and bridges lying destroyed and damaged. The young country was still recovering from a severe Bhola cyclone that had hit the area in November 1970 and caused nearly half a million deaths.

Bangladesh has made enormous strides in the last five decades from one of the poorest nations to having one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with their GDP per Capita increasing to $2,457 in 2021 according to the World Bank which now exceeds that of its regional neighbors. Since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh's economy has grown from $9 billion to $450 billion, life expectancy has risen from 47 years to 73 years, and the adult literacy rate has risen to more than 75 percent. The Nation has flourished in its independence.

Bangladesh, through the leadership of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has made substantial socioeconomic progress in food production, disaster resilience, poverty reduction, improved health, education, and women's empowerment. Bangladesh has successfully maintained a moderate Muslim society and curbed extremism in the country, and its people have sought to maintain support for democracy and rule of law rather than descending into authoritarian rule of gun.

The United States and Bangladesh have extensive cooperation on matters of regional and global security, counter terrorism, and climate change. The U.S. is the largest export market for Bangladesh and one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh. The nation of Bangladesh has contributed to the U.S. economy through bilateral trade and international security cooperation in return.

Bilateral trade between the United States and Bangladesh has increased annually with the main American exports to Bangladesh consisting of agricultural products, aircraft, machinery, engines, and iron and steel products, while American imports from Bangladesh include apparel, footwear, textile products, toys, games, sporting goods, shrimp, prawns; and agricultural products.

Further, the American people appreciate the generous and indispensable role that Bangladesh performs in accepting and sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya people from a genocide perpetrated by its neighbor, Burma. The United States has contributed the largest amount of humanitarian aid to address this crisis, totaling more than $2 billion.

The American people welcome that Bangladesh is one of the world's largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping efforts globally. Both countries seek to enhance their people-to-people and government- to-government relationship for shared prosperity. Bangladesh has expressed their gratitude to the United States for contributing more than 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Bangladesh.

The U.S.-Bangladesh relationship is strengthened by the Bangladeshi American Community and the large number of Bangladeshi students who come to the U.S. to study. More than 200,000 Bangladeshi Americans have proven themselves to be hardworking, law-abiding, and patriotic citizens of the United States, contributing positively to their communities across the country.

Today, the American people recognize and commend the Nation and people of Bangladesh as they celebrate 51 years of independence. The United States extends its sincere determination to remain a constructive partner of Bangladesh in achieving mutual economic, social, and national security objectives now and into the future.

Mr. Speaker, parents everywhere must have the ability to make educational decisions for their children. Though an obvious right, unfortunately, many school districts have been influenced by extremist special interest groups ignoring parental wishes.

In response, House Republicans, led by Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, passed the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This legislation will make clear to schools that parents have a right to know what is being taught to their children, be heard by teachers and school boards, see the school budget and spending, protect the privacy of children, and keep their children safe.

As a parent of four sons, Roxanne and I appreciate local elected school boards running schools. As a grandfather, I want my sons and daughters-in-law to have the same level of oversight for our nine grandchildren.

I am grateful for the leadership of Ellen Weaver, the South Carolina Superintendent of Education, a champion for the rights of parents.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the safe haven of Afghanistan to America.

God bless our Vietnam veterans.

Mr. Speaker, every day, American families experience the failed policies of Biden and Democrats.

On the day Biden was sworn in, the average price of gas was $2.39. Today, it is $3.44, 44 percent higher. The Biden war on energy resulted in a high cost of over $5 last year.

During the same period, the first week of his Presidency, Biden killed the Keystone pipeline, which would supply 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Canada, with the mining equipment in Alberta using Michelin tires made in South Carolina.

The idiotic war on fossil fuels subverts science and common sense, and it causes dependence on China for batteries, panels, blades, by Biden.

This week, House Republicans have all-of-the-above legislation to reduce inflation, create jobs, and return America to energy independence with the innovative bill by Congressman Jeff Duncan of South Carolina.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years in the global war on terrorism as it continues, sadly, moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America.

Our sympathies to the families of Nashville and Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, I was grateful to attend the

United Service Organizations (USO) 2023, 41st Annual Awards Dinner at The Anthem, presented by The Boeing Company.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. J.D. Crouch who serves as the President and CEO of USO. Additionally, I had the honor of watching all the USO Service Members of the Year from each of the military services receive their awards from their respective military service chiefs for their unique acts of heroism.

The honorees were the following service members: U.S. Army Sergeant Erick Ceja, U.S. Navy Cryptologist Seaman Ty Knight, U.S. Marine Corps- Corporal Alec Cruz, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Blake Metscher, U.S. Space Force Sergeant Octavio Castruita, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Jacob Flores, and U.S. National Guard Specialist Solomon J. Doss. I am grateful for each of these members and their steadfast dedication to our military families and the defense of our country.

The USO Achievement Award was presented to Washington Commanders Coach Ron Rivera for his high standard of military appreciation and commitment to educating the National Football League community members on the significance of supporting our military and their families.

The extraordinary program of deserved tributes was concluded by a stunning production of ``God Bless the USA'' by the beloved patriot Lee Greenwood.

We appreciate each of this year's award recipients for their service to the American people and the United Service Organizations' support of U.S. troops since war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, Secretary of State Blinken admitted at the Foreign Affairs Committee hearing that 175 Americans are still in the terrorist safe haven of Afghanistan, despite the Biden promise of leaving no Americans behind.

President Donald Trump was correct; the surrender was the greatest foreign policy humiliation in U.S. history.

Biden refuses to release letters he claimed, on August 26, 2021, that blamed military leaders for his disastrous decision.

A March 6 Washington Post editorial said the Biden administration will be judged by victory in Ukraine, liberating all of Ukraine from war criminal Putin. Democracies with rule of law must prevail over authoritarians by rule of gun with the Ukraine invasion, Taiwan threats, and nuclear capabilities against Israel and America.

Sadly, with an open southern border with nearly 200 names of known terrorists crossing under Biden, American families have never been at greater risk of mass murder.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years from the global war on terrorism as it continues moving from Afghanistan's safe haven to America.

Our prayers for the families in Nashville.

Mr. Speaker, The Washington Post lead editorial on March 10 confirmed the murderous invasion of Ukraine by war criminal Putin demands Western support of Ukraine as `` . . . President Biden will be tested and judged by his own success in making a similar case for this country to step up by applying its military and industrial might.''

Sadly, there ``is a gap between the West's supportive rhetoric on equipping Ukraine . . . and the pace of actual deliveries of arms and ammunition.''

``It's critical that the administration perceive those interests clearly and explain them compellingly. . . .

`` . . . for our European allies' security but also to maintain a basic principle of civilized international relations: that one state cannot invade and subjugate another. . . . It is also crucial to transmit the message to China, North Korea and other would-be aggressors that the United States will stand fast in defense. . . . `'

In conclusion, it is clear ``President Biden will be tested and judged'' by his decisions to support the courageous people of Ukraine.

Thank you, Prince William, heir to the British throne, for visiting the British troops in Poland training Ukrainians for freedom. President Andrzej Duda is the courageous President of Poland.

Mr. Speaker, as revealed by The Wall Street Journal on March 10:

The Pentagon's budget request seems large, but the figure

is only a 3.2 percent increase, and with inflation at 6

percent it means a decline in buying power. Compare the

growth to the double-digit increases for domestic accounts:

19 percent for the Environmental Protection Agency; 13.6 for

both Education and Energy Departments; 11.5 percent for

Health and Human Services.

Defense in 2022 was only 3 percent of GDP, down from 6

percent during the Cold War, even though America's challenges

today are more numerous and acute.

Mr. Biden's largest failure is promising his budget will

keep America safe instead of leveling with the public about

the threats.

We should have a return of bipartisan support for defending American families.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the Global War on Terrorism continues moving from Afghanistan to the safe haven of America.

Thank you to the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, for the courage to visit Kyiv, Ukraine, this week as the democracies unite against war criminal Putin.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize Drew Kennedy for his congressional staff service to the Second District of South Carolina.

Drew has been a valued team member for over 10 years, and both his contributions and presence will be missed. Upon graduating from the University of South Carolina, Drew served constituents at the Midlands' office and then moved to Washington. Drew quickly became an expert in many policy areas, advising on committee issues, preparing legislation, working on markups, and more. His competence earned him the position of deputy chief of staff.

Drew has become a respected leader among his peers and industry leaders. Our loss is the gain of the House Armed Services Committee. Multiple generations of Drew's family are appreciated, with grandparents Jane and Richard Kennedy being founders of the modern Republican majority in South Carolina, with his civic leader parents, Judge Cathy Kennedy and Dr. Attorney Rick Kennedy.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America.