Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, South Carolina will always cherish the dedicated service of Nancy Thomas Wood as an educator in Lexington District 5 of Seven Oak Elementary School, which I have gratefully represented in the State Senate and now Congress.

Mrs. Wood has been an inspiration for her daughter Lou Kennedy, who has been recognized as being one of the state's most successful business leaders.

Just last week, President and CEO Lou Kennedy of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp., announced a $215.8 million expansion creating 380 new jobs.

I appreciate the opportunity to include in the Record the following obituary for Nancy Thomas Wood.

Nancy Thomas Wood

December 1, 1938-July 26, 2021

Nancy Thomas Wood, of Lexington, passed away on Monday,

July 26, 2021.

Mrs. Wood, a loving wife and mother, was an educator for

more than 40 years. She taught first grade in Lexington

District 5, spending most of her career as a teacher at Seven

Oaks Elementary School. Nothing--save her family--gave Mrs.

Wood more satisfaction than loving and mentoring thousands of

Midlands-area students, who loved her back. She also taught

Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

Mrs. Wood relocated to Cayce from Kingsport, Tennessee,

when husband Jerry took a management job at Eastman Chemical

Company. The mother of Lou Wood Kennedy, Mrs. Wood settled

into life in the Midlands, where she cheered each promotion

Jerry earned and motivated her daughter to work hard, give

back and treat everyone with grace.

Mrs. Wood met her husband when they were teenagers, and

they began dating as students at East Tennessee State

University. Her father-in-law married the couple, and they

recently celebrated 61 years together.

Mrs. Wood drove daughter Lou to extracurricular activities

Lou was involved in growing up, and made certain Lou was

equipped with the tools she needed to succeed.

Surviving Mrs. Wood are her devoted husband, Jerry; loving

daughter, Lou Wood Kennedy of Lexington (Bill);

granddaughter, Xanna Bailey of Lexington (Travis) and great-

grandson, Lincoln Bailey. Mrs. Wood is also survived by Paul

Wood (Mildred), Sarah Benson, Daniel Wood (Cara), Becky Reece

(Chuck), countless nieces and nephews and the Seven Oaks

family, with whom she loved to spend time.

Mrs. Wood was predeceased by her parents; brother, Donald

Thomas; sister, Mary Wills and brother-in-law, Lewis Wills.

She was also predeceased by brothers-in-law, Lambert and

David Wood and other members of the Wood family.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-6:45 PM on Wednesday,

July 28 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Lexington and a

celebration of life will follow from 6:45-7:15 PM at the

funeral home. A private family burial will be held on

Thursday, July 29 at 10:00 AM.

Madam Speaker, historic protests against the brutal communist Cuban regime are taking place across Cuba. I commend the courage of the Cuban people as they stand together to demand basic human freedoms. Socialist oppression in Cuba has gone on long enough and the people of Cuba are standing for freedom and liberty.

Cuba's socialist dictatorship has tortured the people of Cuba for decades, forcing the entire country into shambles and economic turmoil. Now, as the people of Cuba peacefully protest this oppressive regime, Cuban regime thugs are taking protesters from their homes for nothing more than calling for freedom. These horrifying events are not uncommon, and it is time the Cuban regime be held responsible for their offences against Cuban families.

It was inspiring to see American flags being flown during Sunday's protests. Cubans have historically stood up against totalitarian communism, and the United States stands with them.

Mr. Speaker, this month, I was grateful to participate in a Congressional delegation of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly led by Senator Roger Wicker and Senator Ben Cardin. It was inspiring to see the extraordinary economic advances of Estonia and Bulgaria.

In Tallinn, Estonia, we were welcomed by the dynamic Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, and the dedicated Foreign Minister, Eva-Maria Liimets. While in Tallinn, we learned that Russian diplomats had been expelled in April across the Baltics to join the protest of the Czech Prime Minister, Andrej Babis, exposing the irrefutable evidence that two Russian GRU agents were behind the 2014 ammunition depot explosion at Vrbetice, which killed two persons.

The same two Russian agents named by the Czech Republic are suspected by British authorities for poisoning former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in 2018. The Czech Republic has correctly demanded Russia pay for damages.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr of Titan Farms for their annual delivery of South Carolina peaches to Capitol Hill.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Speaker, America has lost a Patriot with the death of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the youngest Secretary when serving in the Gerald Ford Administration and the eldest in the George W. Bush Administration. His service has been successful in protecting American families by defeating terrorists overseas. The Wall Street Journal on July 1st, editorialized his dedication for America:

Donald H. Rumsfeld

Few men have had more consequential careers in public and

private life than Donald Rumsfeld, the senior adviser to

three Presidents and business executive, who died Tuesday at

age 88.

A conservative Midwesterner, he served in the Navy and won

a seat in Congress from Illinois in 1962. Richard Nixon

spotted his talent and brought him in as an adviser. His star

rose quickly and he became chief of staff and then secretary

of Defense for Gerald Ford, the youngest Pentagon chief at

age 43.

Outside of politics, Rummy, as he was sometimes known, was

the CEO of G.D. Searle, the pharmaceutical firm, from 1977-

1985 and advised Gilead Sciences in its early days as a

director and chairman of the board.

Rumsfeld was most controversial during his second stint as

Defense secretary in managing the wars in Iraq and

Afghanistan. He pressed the military to refine its invasion

plans that in both cases achieved their goals quickly and

with few casualties. But he underestimated the strength and

nature of the insurgency in Iraq, and he failed to change

strategy. President George W. Bush didn't help by failing to

settle disputes between State and Defense. Mr. Bush replaced

Rumsfeld in 2006 to implement the surge that prevented a U.S.

defeat.

Rumsfeld didn't suffer naifs, or journalists, gladly. But

we always enjoyed the give and take and learned a great deal

listening to him. He was a patriot willing to challenge

recalcitrant bureaucracies, which we need more of today.

Madam Speaker, inflation threatens American families due to the out-of-control spending by President Joe Biden.

Biden inflation directly impacts the day-to-day well-being of American families. Inflation is currently rising at the fastest pace in 13 years. And Biden has proposed an irresponsible $3.5 trillion deal that will increase taxes.

Last month, consumer prices jumped 5.4 percent. Gas prices are up a huge 45.1 percent, and milk is up 5.6 percent. What Biden doesn't seem to realize is that these costs negatively affect the lower and middle class more than anyone else. Wasteful spending and taxes will only make matters worse. Inflation is Biden taxation, and the American families deserve better.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. God bless the courageous citizens of Cuba standing up for freedom and liberty from the failed socialist oppressors.

Madam Speaker, I would like to include in the Record the following obituary for Richard Adam Stombres.

Richard Adam Stombres

September 24, 1936-June 19, 2021

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Richard A.

Stombres passed away at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa,

Arizona on June 19, 2021. He was born on September 24, 1936

in Aurora, Illinois to Adam H. Stombres and Frances May

Jeffers Stombres.

The Stombres family, including Richard and his younger

brother Don, moved from Illinois to Phoenix in 1946. His

youngest brother Glenn and his sister Patrice were both born

in Phoenix. Richard graduated from West High School in 1954.

He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point,

Arizona State University, and Boston University where he

earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. While he would

live in many places throughout his life, he always considered

Arizona to be his home.

Richard joined the Army in 1961 and faithfully served his

country for 28 years as an Infantry Officer. He was a

graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Ranger

School, the Airborne Course, the Pathfinder Course, the

Marine Amphibious Warfare School, and the Command and General

Staff College.

Lieutenant Stombres was assigned to the 101st Airborne

Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky when he met Vickie M.

Hayes from Clarksville, Tennessee. They were married at Fort

Campbell in 1961. Lieutenant Stombres was sent to Vietnam in

1963 where he served as a Military Advisor to the Army of the

Republic of Vietnam until July of 1964 when he was wounded in

action. He would go on to serve a second tour in Vietnam from

1967 to 1968 where he was attached to the Military Assistance

Command, Vietnam (MACV).

Upon his return from Vietnam, Richard was stationed at

numerous bases around the world including Fort Hood, Texas;

Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Ord, California; Frankfurt,

Germany; the Pentagon; and AFCENT HQ in Brunssum, the

Netherlands. Dick and Vickie's two boys, Richard and Steven

were born in 1969 and 1970 when then-Major Stombres was

serving in the Army's Old Guard and stationed at Fort Myer,

Virginia.

Richard was the recipient of the Bronze Star medal with Oak

Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge,

the Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Service Stars, the Republic

of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the

Ranger Tab, the Airborne Badge, and numerous other ribbons

and decorations.

Richard married Joan Giambruno of Glen Cove, New York in

March of 1984. After retiring from the Army, Richard was able

to work in the furniture business with his brother Don. He

also indulged the other passion of his life, teaching. He and

Joan lived in West Hartford Connecticut; Seal Beach,

California; Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, and Colorado Springs,

Colorado.

Richard eventually returned home to Arizona. In 2012,

Richard married Nancy Huemoeller of Lanesboro, Pennsylvania

who described him as ``The Best Husband in the World.'' They

lived in Mesa, Arizona where they were active members of the

Central Christian Church of Arizona. Richard and Nancy loved

to go dancing, travel, and visit family.

Richard was preceded in death by his father Adam, his

mother Frances, his brother Glenn, and his wife Nancy.

Richard is survived by his son Richard, Jr. (Heather)

Stombres of Fairfax, Virginia; his son Steven (Kristen)

Stombres of Fairfax, Virginia; his brother Donald (Grace)

Stombres of Scottsdale, Arizona; his sister Patrice Babcock

of Moorpark, California, and his grandchildren Katherine

Stombres, Elaine Stombres, Abigail Stombres, Samuel Stombres,

and James Stombres of Fairfax, Virginia.

Richard lived a long and wonderful life full of love and

laughter. He was a devout Christian, faithful servant to his

country, a loving husband, a caring brother, and wonderful

father. We will miss you every day.

Condolences may be left on Richard A. Stombres online guest

book at www.sonoranskiesmortuaryaz.com.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, I appreciate meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the U.S. Capitol. We are always grateful for the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to Israel.

Recently, Hamas terrorists in Gaza launched 4,500 Iranian-produced rockets against Israeli families. America should always stand with our allies. The world is impressed by Israel as she defends herself with the Iron Dome.

It is encouraging to see the successes of Iron Dome intercepting rockets

launched by Iranian-backed Hamas. The Iron Dome intercepted 90 percent of the rockets toward the civilian areas of Israel protecting Israeli families.

Allies stand together. Thank you, President Rivlin, for your incredible insight on the murderous threat of Iran. Israel is vigilant in monitoring Iranian intercontinental ballistic missile development, which would deliver nuclear warheads against North America.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to remember a great South Carolinian, Milton P. Moore. Milton was always involved in his community through his service in the South Carolina National Guard and as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina. He was vital in the development of the modern Republican Party of South Carolina and much of its success is credited to him with the largest Republican majorities in 140 years.

At the Eastminster Presbyterian Church services, the Reverend Doctor Benjamin Sloan and the Reverend Doctor Bradley Smith eloquently cited Milton Moore as a person who loved people. My wife Roxanne and I were appreciative being with Governor Henry McMaster, First Lady Peggy McMaster, Attorney General Alan Wilson, State Representative Chip Huggins, and Republican State Chairman Drew McKissick.

Milton P. Moore

December 3, 1943-June 22, 2021

Columbia, South Carolina.--Milton Perry Moore was born

December 3, 1943 in Clinton, South Carolina to Wilma

McCracken Moore and Perry Martin Moore. His father was a

farmer and his mother owned and operated a loan office. She

was one of very few women in business in her day. Growing up

in Clinton, an idyllic, southern mill town, shaped his life.

He and his wife Jean attended Clinton schools, from

Kindergarten through graduating together from Clinton High in

the Class of 1962. After High School he attended Oak Ridge

Military Academy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He was a graduate

of Wofford College in the Class of 1967. He moved his young

family to Columbia in 1972 to attend Graduate School at the

University of South Carolina. Jean supported the family as

Resident Manager of Hampton Park Apartments. Milton earned a

Master's Degree in Business Administration and a Master's

Degree in Accountancy. Many years later he was an Adjunct

Professor of Finance and Taxation at the University of South

Carolina. He served in the South Carolina National Guard as a

Military Police officer. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited,

the Columbia Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), the Irmo Navy,

and was a pioneer in the development and success of the

modern day Republican Party in South Carolina. He led many

highly successful fundraising efforts for candidates

statewide from the early days. He was a head Usher at

Eastminster Presbyterian Church for more than twenty years.

He grew up water skiing on Lake Greenwood and then Lake

Murray, where he built the Moore family Jake home in 1980. He

enjoyed duck hunting with friends and ultimately his sons. He

floated almost every river in South Carolina. He taught his

sons, among many other things, about shotguns, tractors,

boats and motors. He was extremely proud of his daughter and

her commitment to succeed him in his business. He could and

would fix or build most anything. He studied the South and

wrote the family book on our Scottish heritage. He was gifted

as an inspirational public speaker and teacher of life. He

possessed a quick wit. He loved Bluegrass, Country and Gospel

music. He threw a little Fourth of July party at Lake Murray

every now and then. He was meticulous, had an unrivaled

positive attitude, endless motivation and energy. He had a

special heart. He was the compass of our family. He guided us

to the rivers, lakes, the ocean, churches and most

importantly our family. He will be missed every day.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean Bailey Arnold;

children, Martin Arnold Moore (Lauri), Meredith Moore Housman

(Gary), Matthew McCracken Moore; grandchildren, Ross Martin

Moore, John Bailey Moore, Lyndsay Meredith Moore, Adlai Vassy

Moore, Langston Emory Moore, Louisa Perry Moore, Reese

Woodruff Housman and Riley Kathryn Housman.

The memorial service for Mr. Moore will be held at 11

o'clock, Friday, June 25, 2021 at Eastminster Presbyterian

Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, S.C. A visitation will

be held in Thompson Hall immediately following the service,

and from 5 until 7 o'clock at Lake Murray Presbyterian

Church, 2721 Dutch Fork Road, Chapin, S.C. A livestream of

the service may be seen by visiting eastminsterpres.org.

At a later date, Milton will be buried in Bethesda Cemetery

in York County. Generations of Moores have been laid to rest

in this special place since their arrival in South Carolina

in the 1700s.

Donations in his memory may be made to Eastminster

Presbyterian Church; Hammond School, 854 Galway Lane,

Columbia, SC 29209; Lake Murray Presbyterian Church; or the

Animal Mission of Columbia, P.O. Box 50023, Columbia, S.C.

29250.

Memories and condolences may be shared at

ShivesFuneralHome.com.

Mr. Speaker, President Joe Biden claimed a bipartisan agreement on infrastructure. On the surface this sounds like great news. Unfortunately, quickly following this new-found agreement, President Biden crushed the bipartisan bill by mandating wasteful Green New Deal borrowing, destroying jobs.

Improving America's infrastructure should be a priority and to delay it for partisan reasons is another insult to the American people. The President's voters are misled with an absurd interpretation of infrastructure.

This chaotic mentality has been exhibiting a reversal from the bipartisanship President Biden promised when running for President. Dishonoring promises and undermining bipartisan negotiations, the administration should actually be focused on the needs of the American people instead of destroying jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we should never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, and I ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, after a year of belittling Wuhan virus reports, incredibly, The New York Times published a front-page admission last Tuesday acknowledging that the Wuhan virus could be a lab leak.

With the headline ``Lab-Leak Theory Flourishes,'' it cited: `` . . . whether the world will ever learn if the virus . . . escaped from a Chinese lab. . . . The idea that the virus may have escaped from a lab had long been . . . dismissed . . . and shunned . . . for its connection with former President Donald J. Trump.''

The article accurately reviews the refusal of China to allow an independent investigation, ultimate control by the Chinese Communist Party, 2017 creation of hybrid bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan lab, the bizarre U.S. taxpayer lab funding by the National Institutes of Health through EcoHealth Alliance, Wuhan researchers in November 2019 being hospitalized, 2012 bat viruses withheld, and an attack in July by Dr. Shi Zhengli on President Trump and others demanding that they should ``shut their stinky mouths.''

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Our sympathy to the family of Milton Moore and his wife, Jean, who are beloved civic leaders of South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, America's southern border is in crisis, and this issue has been solely facilitated by the destructive policies of President Joe Biden.

Illegal aliens attack the border, while dangerous drug cartels take advantage of weak policies, putting children at risk. This is truly a disaster, and it is time that the border czar, Vice President Kamala Harris, take action to protect American families.

The numbers speak for themselves. Encounters at the border reached a 21-year high in May of 180,034 persons. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency seized 934 pounds of fentanyl at the border in May, which is a 300 percent increase in a year capable of killing every American citizen. Criminal crossings have almost tripled since the previous fiscal year to 6,918 convicted criminals. Drug trafficking and human smuggling have also increased, putting children's lives in danger.

Biden named the Vice President with overseeing the crisis. It has been 84 days, and she still has not visited to see the children at risk.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we should never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Congratulations to Julianne and Hunter Wilson on the upcoming December blessed event.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Mike Johnson for his leadership for promoting the truth tonight. It has been so refreshing to hear our colleagues bring

facts to the American people that they need to know.

And thanks to the leadership of Vice President Mike Pence through Operation Warp Speed to develop the Wuhan virus vaccine, America has been able to get back to work with jobs being available.

In May of this year, the Centers for Disease Control released updated guidance saying that fully vaccinated people no longer needed to wear a mask or social distance in most cases. America should be completely open for business to create jobs.

We saw President Trump created jobs. Under his leadership, we had record low unemployment for African Americans, for Asian Americans, for Hispanics. We had record employment. The most number of jobs ever for youth and women in the United States by cutting taxes, not raising the taxes either directly or by inflation, as Mr. Biden is doing.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration does not agree with science. Even with this huge win to the American people, the administration and Democrats want to continue to have unemployed Americans be dependent on the government by incentivizing them to remain unemployed with increased benefits that pay more than a small business can provide, destroying jobs.

I commend Governor Henry McMaster for ending these increased benefits and getting South Carolina back to work. Congress should follow suit creating jobs.

I am grateful to be a cosponsor of H.R. 3104, the Get Americans Back to Work Act, sponsored by Congressman Dusty Johnson. This bill will remove the supplemental Federal self-destructive benefits by June 30 of this year.

I encourage my colleagues to pass this legislation. We must not continue to indebt future generations with reckless spending or create inflation, which destroys the retirement savings of our senior citizens and equally is crippling to small businesses that are the backbone of this country.

Jobs are uplifting, fulfilling, and meaningful for a productive life.

Madam Speaker, the statement issued on change of governance in Israel, by Jack Rosen, President of American Jewish Congress, was heartfelt on the service of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. ``We also want to thank outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his long-time service and leadership. Mr. Netanyahu has greatly contributed to Israel's progress, especially in strengthening the country's security, transforming it into an economic powerhouse, and advancing its standing in the international arena. Under Prime Minister Netanyahu's watch, Israel underwent an extraordinary rapprochement with the Arab world, as attested to by the historic normalization agreements achieved with several Arab countries. We wish him well.''

A highlight of my service in Congress has been for me and my wife, Roxanne, to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Washington. As co-chair of the Israel Caucus, I know firsthand of his extraordinary dedication for the people of Israel.

I agree with Mr. Rosen. ``We look forward to engaging with the new Israeli government to help take American-Israeli relations to new heights, to addressing critical regional challenges together, and to achieving sustainable peace and prosperity for all.''

In conclusion, God Bless our Troops, and we will never forget September 11th in the Global War on Terrorism.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained for votes on May 13, 2021. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 138, and NAY on Roll Call No. 141.

Madam Speaker, Cathy battled with breast cancer over the years but was in remission when she succumbed to complications due to Covid-19.

Beloved daughter of the late Edmund Joseph and Lorraine Govan.

Dear sister of the late Phillip Govan, Marge Govan, Michael (Gretchen) Govan, Anne (Dr. Soumi Eachempati) Govan Dickerson, Jim (Dorothy) Govan and Char (Brian) Bond.

A Cherished aunt of Phillip (Dr, Jamie Aprile) Gordon, Ellie (Jake and Reagan Rose) Berkey, Michael Govan, Brandon (Lezane) and Dawn Dickerson; Harrison, Carter and Gracen Govan; Kenneth, David and Alexis Bond.

Cathy was raised in Detroit and dedicated her later years to consulting Detroit mayors and serving as the executive director and founder of the Detroit Public Safety Foundation.

Donations can be made in Cathy's honor to the Detroit Public Safety Foundation.

Online condolences can be left at http:// www.obriensullivanfuneralhome.com/. A ceremony honoring Cathy's life will be organized this summer when COVID restrictions are eased. On behalf of the Govan family, we thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.