Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I also want to thank my Democratic colleagues for finally joining Republicans in condemning mob violence after 6 months of refusing to acknowledge it.

But I am really tired of sanctimonious sermons on being a sore loser from some of the same Democrats who opposed accepting results in elections past. Democrats have objected to certifying every Republican victory of the 21st century. In 2000, 2004, and in 2016, Democrats objected every time.

When they objected, it was patriotic. But when Republicans do it, we are inciting a mob; we are liars; and we are traitors. This is the double standard we should expect under total Democrat control.

They have called for unrest in the streets. They have called for harassing Cabinet officials. They have objected to certifying election results time and time again. Even the Judiciary chairman secured clemency for a domestic terrorist who detonated a bomb right here in this building. But we are the extremists? I don't think so.

We have been silenced by Big Tech on social media, by corporate America. Now the other side wants to silence us on the House floor.

This is a sad day in America. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of a great Texan, Mr. Henry Ross Perot. Born and raised in Texarkana, he was a lifelong advocate for improving the education of our nation's children, having provided initial funding for Teach for America. Always the innovator, Mr. Perot attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he helped to establish its honor system, which to this day encourages its midshipmen to conduct themselves with honor and integrity.

After serving honorably in the Navy, he became a salesman for IBM where he quickly distinguished himself among its ranks. This inspired him to start what would become a business empire in Dallas. He was a pioneer in the field of electronic data management, winning a contract to digitize Medicare records in the 1960s.

Shortly after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, two of his employees were imprisoned by the government of Iran over a contract dispute. In true Texas fashion, he hired a former Army Special Forces Colonel to break them out of prison and, while some might leave such a dangerous mission to others, he insisted on taking part in the assault himself. Though he eventually agreed to sit out the mission, it was a great success and speaks directly to Mr. Perot's maverick nature and bias for action.

Mr. Perot was always a politically outspoken public figure and never backed down from his principled positions. Eventually, his concern for the future of our nation fueled his presidential candidacy in the election of 1992. His revolutionary, yet simple message allowed him to do what no third-party candidate had done before as he drew nearly one- fifth of the popular vote.

Mr. Perot left a lasting impression on the technology industry and political atmosphere, which is outweighed only by the fond memories he left with those who knew him. We will cherish those memories as we strive to continue his profound legacy.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table H.R. 3401, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate with only 6 nay votes from Democrats. There is overwhelming support for this in the Senate, and I urge my colleagues to join them in passing this bill today and sending it to the President.

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

Whereas, the North American Mature Publishers Association, Inc (NAMPA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary on October 13, 2019; and

Whereas, this prestigious association is holding its annual international convention and anniversary celebration in Memphis, Tennessee, where publishers, editors, staff, and guests of senior/ boomer publications from across the United States and Canada will gather for educational and networking sessions; and

Whereas, NAMPA is a non-profit association of 96 member publications in 36 U.S. States, and two Provinces in Canada with more than 4 million mature readers per month with its international headquarters located in Shreveport, Louisiana; and

Whereas, NAMPA's purpose and mission is to help magazines and newspapers that focus on the mature market to improve their quality in terms of design and content, while also increasing revenue; and

Whereas, I wish to officially recognize and honor this outstanding association, its members, officers, and its current Executive Director, Gary L. Calligas, for their ongoing commitment to education and service to mature readers;

Now, therefore, I urge all citizens to support this milestone anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill which has the full support of the Republican Conference and the majority of the American people, as it would save the lives of liveborn infants that have survived late-term abortions, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Madam Speaker, it is my understanding that the Republican Conference is in full agreement. Is the Democratic conference not onboard with saving lives?

Madam Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Madam Speaker, I would ask that we schedule a vote immediately. The Republican Conference is fully onboard, and I would encourage the Democrats to join us in protecting the infant lives that are born.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 206, legislation that acknowledges the grave threat that terrorist organizations and international drug cartels pose to our Nation's financial system and economic system.

Introduced in the Financial Services Committee, this resolution reaffirms that the House of Representatives supports efforts currently under way in American and international financial institutions to identify bad actors and hold them accountable for their crimes.

The stakes couldn't be higher. Just as financial transparency has already helped us combat weapons of mass destruction, traffickers, corrupt foreign actors, and terrorist financiers, it also serves as a powerful weapon against organized criminal networks.

When criminals like El Chapo seek to exploit a complex and interconnected financial system, we must seek to untangle and bring clarity.

As we enhance financial transparency, we diminish a criminal's ability to commit crimes. In fact, I would consider this an important part of President Trump's efforts to secure our borders from those who are actively trying to infiltrate our country to finance drug trafficking and other criminal or terrorist activities.

Just as we need to build the wall at our southern border to keep out drug cartels and gangs, we need to be securing our economy from those who use the United States to conceal, launder, and move money generated from illegal activity.

Given the global nature of money laundering and terrorist financing, a secure national and multilateral framework is essential to the integrity of our financial system here at home.

Simply put, we should be doing all that we can to give financial institutions the tools they need to catch those who support the drug cartels that infiltrate our southern border or illegally engage in money laundering and terrorism financing.

For those reasons, I support this resolution and would like to thank the ranking member and Chairwoman Waters for the time this afternoon.

Madam Speaker, Billy Martin joined the National Guard while a senior in high school and subsequently applied for active duty in the United States Army receiving his first permanent duty station in Idar Oberstine, Germany from 1956 to 1959. Over the next 16 years he went to the Seventh Army NCO Academy, Officer Candidate School and Fixed Wing Flight School attaining the rank of Major. After his first 12-month tour in Vietnam, Billy transitioned into CH-47 (Chinook) helicopters returning to Vietnam as Executive Officer of the 178th Aviation Company and as the Combat Operations Officer (S3) of the 123rd Aviation Battalion in support of the American Division. During Billy's two tours in Vietnam he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, the Bronze Star 3 times (one for Valor), the Air Medal thirteen times (one for Valor), the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross. In 1971 he was transferred to the University of Nebraska at Omaha for one year so he could complete requirements for his Bachelor's degree. In June of 1972, Billy became an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. He retired from Military Service on December 31, 1975.

In retirement Mr. Martin worked as a business consultant eventually moving to Dallas. But Billy had always believed he had a calling to be a missionary. He taught Sunday school and Bible study, but grew to believe he was meant to be a preacher. Due to his age he faced roadblocks. Not to be deterred, however, he started taking seminary courses and achieved his Master's in Theology degree in 1994.

In 1998 Billy was told there was a church in Terrell in need of a pastor. He went to Terrell and spoke with the Director of Missions, Brother Jerry Griffin. Brother Jerry recommended Billy give his resume to Emmanuel Baptist Church instead of Grace Temple. Emmanuel called him as its pastor that August. More than 20 years as pastor of Emmanuel,

the church has thrived, increasing attendance and adding a new education building.

Pastor Martin has been married to his high school sweetheart Nancy for 64 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 624, the Promoting Transparent Standards for Corporate Insiders Act.

Introduced by Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member McHenry, this bipartisan bill would require the SEC to update regulatory language to ensure corporate insiders are not able to take advantage of loopholes in the system to engage in illegal insider trading.

The language within the bill overwhelming passed the House last Congress as part of the JOBS Act 3.0.

Simply put, Mr. Speaker, it should be a top priority for financial regulators to ensure clear guidelines and robust enforcement against any illegal activity.

This legislation, along with the SEC's recent guidance, will help us better understand insider trading, serve as a driving force to hold potential bad actors accountable, and further promote good governance among the leaders of our Nation's financial system.

I strongly support this bill and would like to thank Ranking Member McHenry for the time this afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, I also look forward to working with all my colleagues on the Financial Services Committee, and I thank Chairwoman Waters for filing this bill and carrying it forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Frances Tankersley as the oldest active member of First United Methodist Church of Terrell, Texas celebrating her seventy-second year at the age of 97.

Born to Charles and Leah Deen of Emory, Texas on November 22, 1921, Frances was raised in Sweetwater and received a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University. She met her future husband Dennis Tankersley at the United Service Organization in Lubbock. Dennis was stationed at the South Plains Army Airfield and had been a pilot in the Second World War. Upon their marriage, they moved to Terrell and began a life together raising two sons, Jim and Greg.

Her tenure at the Terrell Independent School District left all members of the community with a strong appreciation of her selflessness. Ms. Tankersley was a home economics teacher and a special education department supervisor. Additionally, she taught Sunday school at the kindergarten level at First United Methodist for many years and fostered the development of generations in our community. To this day Ms. Tankersley is involved in Relay for Life and volunteers for Meals on Wheels delivering hot lunches to those in need. She is known throughout Terrell for her kindred spirit and affectionate curiosity, as well as her love of golf and her weekly bridge matches.

Ms. Tankersley still resides in Terrell where she has been an active member of her community for decades and drives herself to her beloved church each Sunday. May her commitment to service, faith and community be an example for all of us.