Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Lambert of the United States Air Force on the completion of his Legislative Fellowship with my personal office. Lieutenant Colonel Lambert has been assigned to my staff since January 2023 and has done an outstanding job as my trusted advisor for national security, foreign operations, space/technology, and veteran policy issues.

Currently a Deputy Material Leader for the Advanced Battle Management System, Lieutenant Colonel Lambert started his military service at United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. Before his assignment with my office, Lieutenant Colonel Lambert served as the Program Element Monitor for the B-21 Raider Program, where he was the Air Staff lead for programming, planning, executing, scheduling, and budgeting of the classified $80 billion program.

Lieutenant Colonel Lambert also served as the Deputy Program Manager for the Hard Target Void Sensing Fuze and the Milestone C IPT Lead for the Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals program. He also served as a Deputy Branch Chief, and Branch Chief prior to his assignment as Executive Officer for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office.

During his fellowship in my office, Lieutenant Colonel Lambert was instrumental in helping my staff and me develop the fiscal year 2024 House Defense Appropriations bill. His direct contributions will help provide our nation's uniformed men and women with the resources needed to defend our great nation. Texas' 12th district is home to numerous DOD priorities including the F-35 program, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, and thousands of Active Guard and Reserve service members. Lieutenant Colonel Lambert quickly built a relationship with these entities, mastered their issues, and was essential in helping me represent them. Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Lambert coordinated dozens of engagements with senior administration officials, representatives of foreign nations, and industry leaders. Above all, he has been a tireless advocate for servicemembers and veterans.

Airmen like Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Lambert are the reason why our nation's defense forces are the best in the world. On behalf of the 12th District of Texas, I offer my congratulations and best wishes to Anthony, his wife Leah, and his children, Sloane, and Jack, as they continue their military journey in service to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6363) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2024, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the continuing resolution,

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), who is the chairman of the Defense Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the chairman of Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann), the chairman of the Energy and Water Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce), the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Harris), the chairman of Agriculture Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 838, I call up the bill (H.R. 6126) making emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to the attacks in Israel for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members

may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6126, the bill that will provide additional support for Israel.

Earlier this month, we saw Hamas carry out its evil attack on the Israeli people. Now more than ever, we must stand firm with our great ally and do all we can to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself. The bill before us provides $14.3 billion in emergency funding for such a need in military assistance.

The funding will cover everything requested by the Israelis. Specifically, the bill includes funding for Iron Dome, David's Sling, the Iron Beam defense system, advanced weapons systems and services through the foreign military financing program and procurement of ammunition.

To ensure that our support does not impact our own military readiness, the bill provides $4.4 billion to replenish the items that were sent to Israel. Funds are also provided for the Secretary of Defense, personnel, and the safe return of American citizens.

This is the first step in the process, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill so we can find a way to get funds to Israel as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Defense.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the majority leader.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following Proclamation.

Whereas, Thos. S. Byrne, a distinguished construction services firm, was founded on July 17, 1923, in Fort Worth, Texas, by the visionary Thomas Sneed Byrne, a native Texan and an esteemed alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology;

Whereas, throughout its illustrious history, Byrne has left an indelible mark on the Stale of Texas, shaping much of the Texas skyline and contributing to the growth and development of communities through its commitment to excellence, quality, and service;

Whereas, from its first milestone project completion in 1928, the Montgomery Ward's Regional Headquarters, to its innovative contributions recognized with the ``Build/America Award'' in 1972 for the revolutionary construction techniques utilized in the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Byrne has consistently exceeded expectations and set new standards for architecturally significant and high-quality projects;

Whereas, in 1995, John Avila, Jr. exemplified his dedication to construction and community by acquiring Thos. S. Byrne, where he skillfully expanded the company's presence and influence, while fostering long-lasting relationships and a warm family atmosphere among employees and clients alike growing the firm on the mantra People Build Buildings and dedicating our success to the men and women of Byrne;

Whereas, John Avila's visionary leadership led Byrne to diversify its pursuits, resulting in strong portfolios in aviation, municipal, healthcare, historic restoration, commercial, education, and high-end residential markets, with a pioneering focus on technology in construction;

Whereas, in 2015, a new chapter began as John Avila passed on the mantle of Chairman to his sons, Matthew and Paul Avila, who have since taken on the roles of CEO and COO respectively, carrying forward the legacy of excellence, quality, and service for the next generation;

Now, therefore, I, Kay Granger, United States Representative, do hereby proclaim and commend the remarkable journey of Byrne, from its humble beginnings in 1923 to becoming one of the largest construction services firms in the state, and a true embodiment of dedication, innovation, and community-driven values;

I call upon the citizens of Texas and beyond to recognize and celebrate the immense contributions of Thos. S. Byrne to the built environment and cultural fabric of our communities, as well as their dedication to delivering projects that have defined the very essence of our State;

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5860) making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2024, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5860, a bill that keeps the government open until November 17.

While I would rather be here speaking on the floor about final appropriations bills, I want Members to understand why passing a short- term funding bill today is so important.

First, I want to explain how we find ourselves in this situation. Just 9 months ago, when Republicans took back the majority in the House, our commitment was to regular order for appropriations, no more omnibus measures released in the dead of night, no more Christmas Eve votes on thousands of pages of text that Members of Congress had not read.

Unfortunately, there were a few stumbling blocks as we sought to change the process. For example, the administration's budget request was more than a month late. It then took months for the President to come to the table on the debt ceiling negotiations. Even before the debt ceiling agreement spending framework was in place, the Appropriations Committee got to work. In fact, this year, we held more than 70 hearings, reviewed roughly 80,000 requests from Members, listened, and then acted.

We began markups in May, 5 months ago, and then made adjustments to reflect changes in the law that set spending caps for the year. The appropriations bills moved through the subcommittees and then the floor. Even though a few bills have more steps to take in the process, I am proud of the work we have done.

As of today, we have sent four appropriations bills to the Senate, totaling roughly 70 percent of funding needed for this year. The Senate has not sent us any bills yet. The House has now laid down a marker on what I believe are our highest priorities.

It should be crystal clear to the American people that House Republicans support what is in our national security. Most importantly, we are focused on our troops and our veterans as well as defending our homeland and our interests abroad. At the same time, the bill we have drafted demonstrates that we must stop government overreach and the out-of-control spending of the last few years.

These are the most conservative appropriations bills in history, and we simply need more time to get our important work done.

While a continuing resolution is not ideal, it prevents a harmful government shutdown, gives us more time to pass the appropriations bills on the floor of the House, and allows us to start negotiations on final, full-year bills with the Senate.

Yesterday, I voted for a different version of a short-term funding bill that included key border security measures. I strongly support these efforts and will continue to fight for them as this process moves along.

Today, the most important priority is keeping government open while we work on full-year appropriations bills that reflect conservative priorities.

Passing this bill is the best way for us to move the process forward. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York, (Mr. Molinaro).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott).

Mr. Speaker, may I inquiare as to the time remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Amodei).

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Private First-Class Richard Barancik who passed away on July 14, 2023. He was the final surviving member of the ``Monuments Men'', the World War II heroes who were responsible for finding and safeguarding the artistic and cultural achievements of western civilization stolen by the Nazis.

Private First-Class Barancik enlisted in the Army and joined the 42nd Division, 232 Infantry in Austria, where he learned of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program, and, applied for duty. For several weeks, Private First-Class Barancik and his unit assisted in the movement of stolen art treasures to the central repository of Property Control Branch and served as its guards. From his arrival in Salzburg, he was enamored with the dedication of the citizenry to art. After his service, he would go on to attend Cambridge University in London, finish his architecture degree at the University of Illinois, and found an eponymous architecture firm that designed numerous buildings, campuses, and dwellings throughout Illinois. Private First-Class Barancik is remembered as a man of sharp mind and strong conviction, a lover of art, and a devoted father and grandfather.

When I first learned about the Monuments Men and Women, I was struck by their story and wanted to recognize the brave men and women of this unit for their contributions during World War II. In 2014, I had the opportunity to sponsor the Monuments Men Recognition Act which awarded their unit with the Congressional Gold Medal, and I was thrilled when it was signed into law. I was lucky to have the opportunity to meet Richard Barancik, and 4 of the other Monuments Men and Women in 2015 at the presentation ceremony of their Congressional Gold Medal. They fought tirelessly against an unwavering evil to preserve the greater parts of our history and I am immensely proud to say that I have been a supporter of the Monuments Men and Women Foundation from its inception.

The closing of Richard Barancik's final chapter again underscores the reality that our Nation's veterans of World War II have already begun to recede from our present, and into the endless window of our memories. His work, viewed through this lens, has bestowed to younger generations the highest legacy to which any man could aspire. Without the service of his unit, great treasures of history and art would have been irrevocably lost.

Our country, and our world, owes Mr. Barancik the greatest honor, both in memory and in practice. Rest in peace Private First-Class Barancik, an irreplaceable part of our Nation's greatest triumph, and an American hero in his own right.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Martens, a long-time member of the professional staff of the House Appropriations Committee, who has more than 30 years of service working for all 3 branches of the Federal Government. His dedication to our Nation exemplifies the hard work and commitment of an admirable public servant.

John began his career at the Naval Sea Systems Command in 1991 as a budget analyst, rotating through various budget and program offices. Following his time at the Naval Sea Systems Command, in 1994, John became a budget analyst at the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, where he performed budget formulation and execution activities for the Federal Judiciary and supported the Budget Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

In 2002, John became professional staff for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary, and Related Agencies. When the House of Representatives switched control in 2007 and the House Appropriations Committee was reorganized, setting the subcommittees to their current form, John moved to the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, where he served as Minority Clerk and Staff Director until 2010.

After House Republicans took the Majority in 2011, John led the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government as Majority Clerk and Staff Director. At the start of the 114th Congress, John returned to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,

and Related Agencies as the Majority Clerk and Staff Director until 2018. When I became Ranking Member of the Full Committee in 2019, I asked John to serve as Minority Clerk and Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.

Accumulated throughout his years of service, John's immense knowledge and experience earned him the position of Senior Advisor to the House Appropriations Committee at the beginning of the 118th Congress. This role presented a range of new challenges that I knew he would handle expertly, advising me as House Appropriations Chairwoman, the Subcommittee Chairs, and the staff--many of whom he intentionally trained and mentored.

John has been an exceptional member of the House Appropriations Committee staff for more than 20 years now, with nearly 5 of those years on my staff. During his time on the Committee, John has successfully developed and implemented strategies for advancing legislation through the Committee and the House of Representatives.

In his various roles, I asked John to work on some of the most complex issues, and he secured key legislalive wins during periods of divided government and tense political disagreements by finding common ground with his colleagues. He has more than demonstrated his ability to handle any task put before him.

It is my distinct honor to recognize John as he leaves the halls of Congress and starts his next chapter. It is not the end of a career but rather the beginning of a new adventure. After many early mornings and late nights as a public servant, I know John is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Gail, and 2 children, Julia and James. He will be greatly missed, and I thank him for his dedicated service to the United States and wish him the very best.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4366, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 4366, a bill that would provide funding for military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

During the last Congress, $3 trillion was spent outside of the normal appropriations process. As spending soared, so did inflation. There was damage done to the economy, and the work of the Appropriations Committee changed significantly over those 2 years. That is why, earlier this year, I asked subcommittee chairs to evaluate all of the funding in the pipeline.

When the President's budget finally arrived, I directed them to review each agency budget line by line. I thank the subcommittee chairs for their work to identify ways to save hard-earned tax dollars.

These savings have allowed us to reduce overall spending without shortchanging--which is most important--national defense, homeland security, and veterans.

The bill before us demonstrates our commitment to reduce overall spending and still honor our commitment to our veterans. This bill makes good on that promise by fully funding veterans healthcare. It will ensure our veterans get the medical treatment and benefits they deserve.

Specifically, the bill prioritizes our Nation's heroes by providing critical funding for our military bases and facilities, improving the quality of life of our servicemembers and their families, and ensuring our veterans are appropriately honored in our cemeteries and battle monuments. The bill also prohibits funding to be used for biased and controversial programs.

Mr. Chair, I thank the Members and staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work. This is a strong bill, and I look forward to supporting it.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes due to circumstances beyond my control. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 339; YEA on Roll Call No. 340; NAY on Roll Call No. 341; YEA on Roll Call No. 342; YEA on Roll Call No. 343; YEA on Roll Call No. 344; YEA on Roll Call No. 345; YEA on Roll Call No. 346; YEA on Roll Call No. 347; YEA on Roll Call No. 348; YEA on Roll Call No. 349; YEA on Roll Call No. 350; NAY on Roll Call No. 351; YEA on Roll Call No. 352; YEA on Roll Call No. 353; YEA on Roll Call No. 354; YEA on Roll Call No. 355; YEA on Roll Call No. 356; YEA on Roll Call No. 357; YEA on Roll Call No. 358; NAY on Roll Call No. 359; and NAY on Roll Call No. 360.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend votes due to circumstances beyond my control. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 361, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 362, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 363, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 364.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of one of my constituents, Ms. Denise Jones.

Ms. Jones is retiring this May after 50 years of service to the public education system in North Texas.

A lifelong resident of Haltom City, Texas, Denise grew up attending public schools around her including WT Francisco Elementary, Haltom Middle School, and Haltom High School.

As a senior at Haltom High School in 1972, Denise joined the staff and never looked back. For the first 25 years, she faithfully served the Birdville Independent School District as a district administrative assistant. Then, in 1998, Denise joined the special education department where she has been a loyal servant for the past 25 years.

As a former schoolteacher and daughter of an educator, I know firsthand how important the of work our public servants is. Denise's achievement of working in public education for 50 years is truly impressive and reflects her unwavering dedication to helping shape the minds of future generations. Her impact will be felt for many years to come.

Again, I want to congratulate Denise on her retirement from Birdville Independent School District and wish her the absolute best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of one of Fort Worth's very own, Elbit Systems of America.

For 30 years, Elbit Systems of America's technology, products and spirit have served side-by-side with warfighters, first responders, civil aviators, and medical personnel to fulfill the company's core mission: providing innovative solutions that protect and save lives.

With fewer than 10 employees, the company was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1992. But in 1993, the company started operating in Fort Worth after purchasing a manufacturing plant from another defense contractor. Operations in Fort Worth began with one contract to service the F-16 fighter aircraft with 170 employees, and with a commitment to helping its customers keep America safe.

Today, Elbit Systems of America has grown to nearly 3,500 employees; annual revenues

of almost $1.5 billion; and engineering and manufacturing facilities in seven states.

It is no exaggeration to say that a huge contributor to the success of this business is its President & CEO, Raanan Horowitz. Raanan was one of the company's first employees, and since 2007 has led the company through America's times at war, economic challenges, and the uncertainty of the pandemic.

While nearly doubling the company's revenue under this tenure, he's ensured that Elbit Systems of America operates by the highest standards. In fact, the Ethisphere Institute has honored Elbit Systems of America with its World's Most Ethical Company award five times since 2014, and back-to-back in 2022 and 2023.

Elbit Systems of America's products are found in practically every major weapon system, they produce surveillance systems to help secure America's southern border, and blood diagnostic machines to help protect us from illnesses and diseases.

I'm proud to say that despite all its growth and success, Fort Worth, Texas remains Elbit Systems of America's home and headquarters, where it is actively engaged as a valued member of our community. The company is a national sponsor for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising awareness and funds for groundbreaking cancer research. Employees across the company also volunteer their personal time to support local food banks, family shelters, children's programs, and animal rescue.

Earlier this year Elbit Systems of America was named one of the Best Companies to Work for in the Great State of Texas, and I am proud to count them a member of Texas' 12th Congressional District.

I congratulate Elbit Systems of America for 30 years of operations, thank them for being such good neighbors and supporters of America's warfighters, law enforcement, and medical professionals, and wish them good luck during their future efforts in the decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of U.S. Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator Michael T. Ernst, a highly decorated Navy SEAL who tragically died on February 19, 2023, while conducting military freefall training in Arizona. He was an American hero who dedicated his life in service of our country.

Michael grew up in Cohasset, Massachusetts playing hockey, lacrosse. and the drums, and was never far from his five siblings and loving parents. Following high school, Michael attended Denison University where he would meet his future bride, Megan, and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2008.

Michael's spirit of adventure and commitment to service drove him to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 2010, and shortly thereafter he realized his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. During his 13 years of naval service, he became a highly decorated combat veteran with a multitude of deployments around the world, and host of awards for valor including the Silver Star Medal awarded for his heroic actions on a daring rescue operation.

Michael was relentlessly committed to self-improvement and would also go on to cap his Navy career by earning a Master's of Business Administration, as a Sloan Fellow, from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2022.

Michael truly excelled as a husband, father, son, brother, friend, and teammate. He was a larger-than-life man and a warrior who served both our Nation and his family honorably. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join Michael's wife Megan, his children Reilly and Judah, and his parents, siblings, friends, and teammates in celebrating his life, recognizing the sacrifices he made for us, and extending our deepest gratitude for his noble service to our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Sergeant Major Jason M. Cantu, who is retiring after 30 years of service to the United States Marine Corps.

Sergeant Major Cantu enlisted in the Marine Corps in December of 1992 and completed his recruit training in September of 1993. Following his training at the School of Infantry, he was assigned as an infantry machine gunner.

Throughout his 30 years of service, Sergeant Major Cantu has been deployed all over the world. In his early years as a Marine, he worked in Cuba to help Haitian and Cuban migrant's humanitarian missions as well as being deployed to South America and West Africa as a part of an air/ground task force and training float.

He was later reassigned Bravo Company 1st Battalion 2nd Marine Regiment where he was a machinegun section leader and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this tour, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, then Sergeant. After a brief stint with the Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, VA, he returned to the 1st Battalion 2nd Marine Regiment in September 2000. While with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment Sergeant Major Cantu, then a Sergeant, served as a section leader for the Combined Anti Armor Team. A year later, the battalion deployed to Okinawa, then Guam, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Then, in January 2003, the battalion deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After serving as a Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA, Cantu was assigned to the U.S. Naval Mission in Bogota, Colombia. After a stint in Colombia, and then Chile as a Marine Corps representative to the Chilean Marine Corps, Cantu was promoted to First Sergeant in September of 2008. He was deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom 9.1 as the Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Company First Sergeant.

Sergeant Major Cantu rose to his current rank in May 2013 and currently serves as the Squadron Sergeant Major for a Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron.

Sergeant Major Cantu's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with V and three gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars and the Combat Action Ribbon.

He is the son of a 21-year career Marine and a brother to 7 siblings, 6 of whom also served in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy and are comprised of non-commissioned and commissioned officers.

Our country owes the men and women of the United States military an enormous debt of gratitude, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sergeant Major Cantu. It is service men like him that safeguard our liberties and allow the people of this great nation to live under a blanket of freedom.

On behalf of the people of the 12th Congressional District of Texas, we appreciate his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to his country. It is my honor to congratulate Sergeant Major Cantu on a job well done.