Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a heroic resident of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, Mr. Danny Wells.

Mr. Wells is a team leader for the public works department in the city of Peculiar. Earlier this year, middle Missouri was in the grips of a historic cold front with temperatures well below freezing and wind chills regularly hovering in the single digits.

On January 24th, with temperatures in the twenties, Danny was driving down State Highway YY. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a young child in a ditch--barely clothed and shivering in the cold. Mr. Wells jumped into action. After searching for any adults nearby, he pulled over and literally gave the boy the coat off his back and that hat off his head. Danny then put the boy in the truck, cranked up the heat, and began rubbing his feet to warm them.

Danny immediately radioed the proper authorities to get this boy the medical care he desperately needed. With temperatures so low, the risk of catastrophe was imminent. Peculiar Police Chief Don Shepard, who was on the scene, said the boy ``was near hypothermic and might well have died had Danny not found him.''

Danny is an Army Veteran and having served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he is no stranger to perilous situations. And this specific situation was personal to him. ``I've got grandkids about the same age, so it just hit pretty close to home. Serving the public is what we're here for; it is what we do. I hope anybody in that situation would have done the same thing,'' Mr. Wells said.

On behalf of the Fourth District, we thank Mr. Wells for his service to our Nation and the community of Peculiar. His actions makes clear, he has a servant's heart and takes his work seriously. We applaud his heroic actions to prevent disaster on that January afternoon.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding American and our March Veteran of the Month, Lieutenant Commander Greg Cowan, United States Navy, Retired, from Lebanon, Missouri, in Laclede County.

Greg Cowan's service to our Nation spans more than two decades, beginning in 1980 when he enlisted in the Navy. From his early days as an aviation electronics technician, to earning a commission through the Naval ROTC program, his dedication and commitment to our Nation never wavered. He served in duty stations across the country and around the world, from Rota, Spain, to Camp Lemonnier in Africa.

He deployed multiple times to the CENTCOM areas of operation, serving aboard the USS Comstock, the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Harpers Ferry, and USS Inchon. His leadership as a surface warfare officer was instrumental in ensuring mission success and in training the next generation of warfighters.

After retiring in 2024, Lieutenant Commander Cowan's passion for service continued through his dedication to mentoring and teaching others. His career is a testament to the values of duty, honor, and country.

Today, we salute Lieutenant Commander Greg Cowan and thank him for his selfless service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the United States Navy and to the United States of America.

Recognizing Gold Apple Boutique

Madam Speaker, today we are proud to recognize Gold Apple

Boutique, located in the historic district of Fayette, Missouri, as Missouri's Fourth Congressional District March Small Business of the Month.

Owned by Cana Conrow, Gold Apple Boutique is a shining example of entrepreneurial spirit and community dedication. Cana's passion for business and her desire to build a future for her growing family led her to open this unique shop on Fayette's historic square. I was just in it last week. It is a great store.

They are offering fashionable clothing, accessories, and personalized items. Gold Apple Boutique provides a welcoming space where customers find both style and confidence.

Cana's success is a testament to the impact of small businesses on local economies. Her engagement in our U.S. Chamber of Commerce roundtable last week highlighted her commitment to strengthening the business community. As spring approaches, Gold Apple Boutique's latest arrivals are already drawing in excited customers there on the square, proving that small businesses like hers keep our towns vibrant and keep them thriving.

We congratulate Cana Conrow and Gold Apple Boutique on this well- earned recognition, our Small Business of the Month. We thank them for their dedication to Fayette and to making Missouri's small business community thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I will just preface my remarks by saying how much respect I have for the ranking member and her passionate arguments. Although we don't agree, I respect her highly.

Mr. Speaker, America broke up with the progressive Democrats, but they just can't let it go. In the words of Glenn Close, they will not be ignored. They are like the ex in the 1987 movie ``Fatal Attraction,'' the ex who got dumped and is stuck in a deranged reality, refusing to move on.

They are causing chaos, spreading mistruths, and doing everything they can to disrupt what the American people voted for, all because they cannot accept that their Big Government, open-border, America-last agenda is over.

We saw it just last week in this very Chamber, Mr. Speaker. We see it when we go back home to try to have conversations with our constituents. It is quite simple: House Republicans are

here to govern. We are passing a continuing resolution to keep America open for business, freeze wasteful spending, and secure our border.

This continuing resolution gives President Trump the time and power to continue draining the swamp and undoing the damage the radical left did to our country for the past 4 long years.

What is the far left doing? They are throwing a tantrum, a childish, petulant tantrum full of fear-mongering and gaslighting of the American people, rooting for a shutdown just so they can point fingers.

Let me tell you something, Mr. Speaker. It is not going to work. We are not falling for it. We are not playing this game. This will be a Schumer shutdown when it gets to the Senate if that happens.

The American people chose secure borders, a secure economy, secure neighborhoods, and an America First agenda. The progressive Democrats just can't accept it.

Guess what, Mr. Speaker. This breakup is final. Republicans are moving on. We will pass this CR. We will keep America running.

I urge progressive Democrats to join the rest of the Nation. It is that or they can keep screaming into the void because America is not taking them back. The breakup is over. Leave the rabbit in the backyard alone.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair and ranking member for their leadership. I appreciate what we are able to do on the Small Business Committee for Main Street America.

I rise today, Mr. Speaker, because as a Member of Congress, it is our duty and responsibility to protect and support our Nation's veterans.

Back in 2023, it was my distinct pleasure to have Commander Taylor Burks of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District testify at a Small Business Committee hearing on veteran entrepreneurship. He is now serving a deployment in the Indo-PACOM, so we wish him well.

We learned not only about the unique skill set that veterans can bring to small businesses but also about the obstacles that veterans face many times when trying to open small businesses and live out the American Dream.

It was imperative for Members to hear how the committee and the Small Business Administration can better serve those who served this great Nation.

As a result, my colleague Representative Sharice Davids and I introduced the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans, or the SERV Act.

This bipartisan legislation, which passed through the Small Business Committee unanimously last Congress, will help veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed by studying the barriers faced when starting a business.

This bill will commission a report on the outreach and promotion of existing veteran-focused small business programs to make sure that veterans can access all the available resources, the capital, and the counseling that they need to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation also mandates the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development to devise an outreach and promotion strategy for programs available to veterans transitioning into the business world.

When veterans' service to our country ends, they should not face additional difficulties in accessing capital and resources. With transparency and increased reporting, we can better ensure that they get the support that they need and the support that they deserve. I am proud to co-lead the SERV Act with Representatives Davids and Conaway.

This bill, Mr. Speaker, is a win for our districts, our veterans, and our great Nation, the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor our February Veteran of the Month, Randall E. Watson. Randall is a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 4, or CW4, and human resources officer with more than 24 years of service. Randall got his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg and his master's from the American Military University in West Virginia.

In April of 1990, Randall deployed to Panama with the 135th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as a patient administration specialist to provide medical and dental service to the indigenous persons of Kuna on the San Blas Islands.

Randall Watson retired from the Army National Guard in 2014 and from the State of Missouri as the director of its veterans service programs in 2020.

In 2016, Randall received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor of Missouri for outstanding meritorious military service to Missouri and the United States of America.

We thank Randall for his truly admirable dedication to Missouri, America, and to veterans. Randall has left the Missouri National Guard and the Missouri veterans service programs poised for continued greatness.

We congratulate Randall on being Missouri's Fourth Congressional District's Veteran of the Month.

Honoring Thai House

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our February Small Business of the Month, Thai House, in Lebanon, Missouri.

In 2009, Chutiwan Kingnak Tracy met her husband, Michael Tracy, and left her home in Thailand to begin her journey to live out the American Dream. The Tracys worked hard to open a small business, working in different restaurants until opening up their own.

Saving her pennies, Chuti saved just enough to buy a food truck and trailer in Oklahoma. She filed for an LLC in July of 2024, and then they opened the Thai House for the first time at Lebanon Farmers Market.

Through ups and downs and after a decade of hard work, they were finally able to become American small business owners. Thai House continues to grow, despite the recent economic turmoil caused by the previous administration. They look forward to being open this spring after being closed during the winter.

Missouri's Fourth Congressional District is excited for their Thai food. I can't wait to taste it myself. We congratulate Thai House. We love to see their hard work come to fruition, and we look forward to their future success.

Happy Birthday to Carolyn Sue Adams Alford

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say happy birthday to my mother, Carolyn Sue Adams Alford. It is her 86th birthday today.

My mother was a schoolbus driver, an executive assistant at Exxon USA, a mother of four boys, and a Sweet Adeline with always a song in her heart and great advice for her four boys. I love my mother very much. Happy birthday to my mother.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise with an extremely important declaration about the Kansas City Chiefs.

I am honored today to be wearing the red blazer that I made for the late, great Tony DiPardo, the bandleader for the Kansas City Chiefs for many years.

In case my colleagues haven't heard, we have a big game on Sunday that is going to make some noise, spark some joy, and make the entire Chiefs Kingdom proud.

I stand before the House today to declare, to decree, and make it official that the Kansas City Chiefs are the greatest NFL team of all time.

From the sea of red at Arrowhead to the chants of ``Chiefs Kingdom'' echoing across our great Nation, this team has captured the hearts of America. It started from a legacy of folks like Lenny Dawson, Deron Cherry, Bobby Bell, Derrick Thomas, and Will Shields, and it grew thanks to the modern-day miracle magic of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Harrison Butker.

This dynasty has put the entire NFL in the Chiefs era, giving the haters cruel summers for 3 years in a row.

To the naysayers, we say they need to calm down. They thought this year would be different, but, once again, they were having deja vu. They forgot Patrick Mahomes does nothing better than revenge. They thought Travis would be too distracted by his love story to perform in the big games. They wrongly thought that delicate Josh Allen would be tired of only winning paper rings.

Madam Speaker, we know all too well how this season turned out with the Chiefs winning the Lamar Hunt Trophy again. Now, they have turned their attention to their third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl.

When the Chiefs arrived in New Orleans, there were teardrops on the Eagles' guitars.

Get ready, America, because the 2025 Lombardi Trophy has a blank space, and the Chiefs are about to write their name in that blank space once again.

To put it quite simply, the Chiefs are unbeatable. They will be champions not once, not twice, but three times in a row.

Madam Speaker, the great Mitch Holthus is fond of saying that you can doubt the Chiefs, you can dislike the Chiefs, you can disrespect the Chiefs, but you are going to have to deal with the Chiefs.

To all the Chiefs watching, Missouri is rooting for you. The Fourth Congressional District is rooting for you.

Go Chiefs.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor our January Veteran of the Month, Michael ``Mike'' Tracy.

Mike entered the Air Force Delayed Entry program in 1975 where he reported to basic training, Air Force leadership school, and Air Force Security Police School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

After graduation, he was placed on orders to the 20th Security Police Squadron RAF Upper Heyford, England, home to the F-111E, NATO, and USAFE nuclear deterrent to the former Soviet Union.

When he returned to the U.S., he maintained his service after being discharged in the inactive reserve. In 1982, Mike rejoined the military as a private in the USAR in Spokane, Washington. He attended drill sergeant school and U.S. Armor School. He served as a preventive medicine specialist in Germany and participated in Operation Desert Storm.

Throughout injuries, surgeries, and reassignments, Mike served his country in many different roles. His final assignment brought him to Missouri at Whiteman Air Force Base in our district.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mike for his dedication and service. We appreciate him, and we are so glad that his journey brought him to the great State of Missouri. We salute him today.

Honoring Janine's Flowers, Small Business of the Month

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor our January small business of the month, Janine's Flowers.

This fantastic business in Camdenton has been serving the lake area with floral artistry through weddings, proms, first dates, and so many other special occasions.

Janine's is a one-stop destination for all floral arrangements, special gifts, tuxedos, event supplies, and much more.

Back in September, Janine's celebrated their 45th anniversary where Janine Bullock, the original owner, shared captivating stories about the humble beginnings of this business.

It is now owned by Cassidy Dickerson, and Janine's Flowers will continue to make special occasions even more special. Janine was thrilled to pass the torch to Cassidy and knows she will build upon the strong foundation that was established.

Madam Speaker, I thank Janine's Flowers for providing Missouri's Fourth Congressional District with the highest quality floral arrangements and event services. I ask Missourians to not forget about Janine's as Valentine's Day is coming up.

Again, I congratulate Janine's Flowers as our January small business of the month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong and unwavering support for protecting women, protecting women's sports, and passing H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

The Biden administration fought to tear down the decades of progress women have made in athletics. Women have been stripped of their earned titles and live in fear for their safety in the locker rooms of America, women like Riley Gaines, Lily Mullens, Paula Scanlan, and so many others with unspoken stories.

Last week, the Federal court ruled in favor of reality. Biden tried to rewrite Title IX, and his unconstitutional idea was rejected. Let's vote in favor of reality today.

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act clarifies the protections under Title IX and ensures our women can continue to compete in fair and secure environments. It is an insult and utter disgrace to have them robbed of the triumph by a biological male.

We are told that if this bill passed, President Biden would veto it. Mr. Speaker, on November 5, the American people vetoed the radical left's progressive agenda. Next week, America will return to common sense.

I pray that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle remember common sense today in this very Chamber. It is not complex, Mr. Speaker. God intricately created two genders for one reason.

Men have no business competing in women's sports or being in their locker rooms.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor our December Veteran of the Month, Major Jamie Melchert, who was born in Sedalia, Missouri.

Major Melchert enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1998 and completed two combat tours, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also completed additional overseas missions in Guatemala and Germany.

Jamie says his most memorable service was in Afghanistan, where he led a group of 170 soldiers into a harsh combat zone for a year of duty, enduring frequent attacks during over-the-road convoys.

He is most proud of bringing every soldier there home to their families.

He received many honors for his service and retired in 2017. He now lives in Columbia, Missouri, with his beloved family, working full-time for the State of Missouri's Office of Administration, helping veterans find employment.

I thank Major Melchert for his dedication and service.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, `twas 5 days before Christmas, and all through

this House, not a lawmaker was resting, not even their

spouse.

The CR was stalled, the debates full of heat, while a

shutdown shadow loomed over our streets.

My friends, it is time to fund our defense and aid for our

farms and disaster relief to protect our very own citizens

from harm.

Our farmers work hard. They deserve every chance to grow

and to prosper, advance, and enhance.

Mr. Speaker, this Christmas, this Christmas let's give we

the people their due, a funded government from leaders who

are true.

So as we vote on this CR, let's keep this in sight: America

First, and to all a good night.

Mr. Speaker, I did not bring any fancy signs with me today. Those take hours to prepare.

I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, that if a shutdown occurs because we do not pass this continuing resolution today, it will not be a Republican shutdown. It will be a Democrat shutdown.

When it goes over to the Senate, it will be the Schumer shutdown.

Mr. Speaker, this is not about millionaires. This is not about billionaires. This is about our farmers. This is about our military getting the pay that they deserve through Christmas and the New Year. This is about the future of this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, this continuing resolution before us is not a perfect solution, but it is a bridge that will allow us to continue the critical work of funding our troops, securing our borders, supporting our farmers, caring for our veterans, and procuring disaster relief for those in the Carolinas who we visited just last month. They are living in tents in freezing temperatures while illegal aliens are living at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

Mr. Speaker, Missouri has 87,000 farms. We are losing 1,000 farms in America each month. Our food security is national security, and the Democrats do not want to support our farmers. Due to the high inflationary costs that this administration has brought about and low commodity prices, farmers are going out of business.

I don't understand this consolidation of farming in America and why the

Democrats are in favor of that. We have to support our farmers through this bill. We have to support our disaster victims through this bill. Most of all, we must support America.

We are not here for ourselves. We are here for those who we represent, the hardworking Americans who depend on us to set aside our differences and act with courage and responsibility. They deserve a government that works for them and not against them.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor our December Small Business of the Month, Staying Home Corporation.

This fantastic business in Harrisonville, Missouri, offers a wide range of products that allow folks in the Midwest to live more comfortably in their own homes.

Owners, Mike and Natalie Vogt, share their story about how they came to own Staying Home. Their hope is to provide jobs to those in need, donate to causes that the Lord directs, and create a company that continues those goals.

Not only are Staying Home Corporation's products beautifully designed, but they are also brilliantly functional, reliable, and affordable.

From elevators to stair lifts, ramps, and storm shelters, this business elevates home life and safety with their durable products. Each product is beautifully crafted and expertly engineered in the United States.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Staying Home Corporation, our December Small Business of the Month.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend Mr. Rose for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my unwavering support for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

We must ensure our Nation's military remains the greatest force for freedom and stability the world has ever known, and this year's NDAA does just that.

At this very moment, our Nation faces numerous threats from the growing aggression from China and Russia to the persistent menace of terrorism. It is imperative that we ensure our military is provided the resources and support they need to defend our interests and keep Americans secure.

The fiscal year 2025 NDAA authorizes $895 billion in defense spending to support our military's critical missions, enabling us to modernize our Nation's capabilities. From upgrading our naval and air power to investing in cutting-edge technologies, we will remain superior against our adversaries.

Missouri's Fourth Congressional District will receive major wins in this legislation, wins that we have fought hard for on the Armed Services Committee. Whiteman Air Force Base in Fort Leonard Wood will receive a combined total of $139.5 million for fueling facilities and advanced individual training barracks.

There will be expanded access to childcare for Missouri's military families and to programs that help military spouses attain and retain employment.

We are ecstatic to announce a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers.

This legislation isn't just about numbers. It is about the values that we hold dear as Americans. It is about our commitment to freedom, to justice, and the protection of our citizens.

Mr. Speaker, this year's NDAA embodied our unwavering commitment to America's military excellence, reflecting the values that have always made our Nation strong. We are prioritizing the well-being of our military families, bolstering the readiness of our Armed Forces, and fortifying our national security.

To truly restore our military's lethal edge, we have to purge the radical, woke ideologies that are being forced on our servicemen and - women, infiltrating our ranks.

These divisive concepts have plagued our military and are undermining our elite cohesion and combat effectiveness.

That is why this year's NDAA will take bold action: Number one, banning life-altering transgender medical treatments for minors; prohibiting the toxic spread of critical race theory; dismantling the bloated DEI bureaucracy; blocking a misguided military Green New Deal; and countering anti-Semitism.

By eliminating these destructive influences, we are reclaiming our military's focus on its core mission: defending Americans and their interests.

Mr. Speaker, as you saw today, this is not a bipartisan bill. This is an American bill.

We are not just funding the military, we are improving the lives of those who protect us every day.

By passing the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, we have sent a clear message to our adversaries: America will not be intimidated. America will always reign as the greatest nation on Earth.

Honoring the Life of Dr. Gene Richardson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary man, Dr. Gene Richardson, a mentor, a friend of mine, and someone who was really like a second father to me. He was a man who had one of the biggest impacts on my life and who is one of the reasons I am standing here today in this very Hall.

Dr. Richardson was a man of remarkable character and compassion. Born in Kennett, down in the bootheel of Missouri, he embodied the values of hard work, faith, and service from a very young age.

Growing up as the youngest of five children, Dr. Richardson's life was shaped by his parents, Irl, who was a Baptist pastor, and his mother, Pearl,

who was a dedicated homemaker. Gene excelled in both academics and athletics, all while running his own newspaper franchise.

After earning his bachelor's degree in biology and graduating from Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Richardson embarked on a journey that would impact countless lives. At just 26, he established a family practice down in Sanderson, Texas, becoming the sole doctor for an entire rural county.

When his calling led him to radiology, he brought innovation to the field, cofounding a mobile nuclear medicine company that brought advanced care to underserved hospitals across the country.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Gene Richardson's service didn't stop at our borders. He founded the Ultrasound Fund for Latin America, providing equipment and training to small hospitals in Mexico, and he was very proud that he learned Spanish during that time.

He later joined medical missions to Guatemala, walking miles through remote areas to deliver lifesaving care. His legacy of compassion crossed continents, touching lives in profound ways.

Beyond his professional achievements, Gene was a man of deep faith and unshakeable love for his family. Married to his beloved Mary for 65 years, he often reflected on their life together saying: I could not have chosen a more perfect helpmate.

Together they raised two wonderful children, Gene Jr. and Kay, and cherished their three grandchildren.

Gene's passion for life extended to music, travel, and education. He played trumpet in the Baylor marching band and added his rich bass voice to choirs and quartets well into his nineties. He was a good singer. He taught line dancing, and he jitterbugged with youthful enthusiasm.

As a lifelong learner, he traveled the world discovering new cultures and inspiring others to do the same.

In one of his final messages to his family, Gene reminded us of life's greatest gifts: faith, family, and friends. He said: God has given us grace and mercy. Let us use these gifts to enrich our relationships and to serve others.

Dr. Richardson's life was a testament to just that, Mr. Speaker, the power of service, of faith, and of love.

He leaves behind not only his beloved wife, Mary, and their family but also a legacy that will inspire generations.

Mr. Speaker, it is with both joy and gratitude that I honor the life of this extraordinary man.

May we all strive to live as Dr. Gene Richardson did, with generosity, with courage, and with a heart full of adventure.

Dr. Gene Richardson, we will see you in the morning.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, in the words of Yogi Berra, this is like deja vu all over again. It was just last year that I was here in this very spot debating the ranking member over the evils of socialism, and now we have graduated to communism.

I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in strong support of my colleague, Congresswoman Salazar's, bill, H.R. 5349, the Crucial Communism Teaching Act.

Communism has a dark and dangerous history of political violence, oppression, and abuse that continues to be swept under the rug by foreign actors infiltrating the American education systems.

From the Soviet Union, Cuba, China, and beyond, communist regimes consistently demonstrate a callous disregard for human life and dignity.

The Chinese Communist Party is actively trying to dismantle American classrooms and cover up the atrocities of past regimes in K-12 schools and college campuses.

More than 500 K-12 schools across our Nation have allowed the CCP to creep into school hallways, making its way into our children's curriculums under the disguise of Confucius Classrooms.

Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker. This is not education. This is indoctrination.

Nearly one-fifth of the world's population is still under this oppressive system of government, yet our youth are being manipulated to blindly follow this corrosive influence of communism.

It should be alarming to our friend from Massachusetts and to every person in America, especially parents, that 28 percent of Gen Z hold a favorable view of the term ``communism.'' Nineteen percent of Gen Z are favoring dictatorship as the best political system.

It is no surprise communism's modern-day manifestation, TikTok, with Communist-backed owners, holds influence over Gen Z.

We cannot allow our schools to become breeding grounds for Communist and Marxist ideologies and anti-American sentiment, Mr. Speaker. As President Reagan once said: ``Freedom is only one generation away from extinction.''

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defend our Nation's values, reject the forces of oppression, and protect our children by supporting

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our November Veteran of the Month, Andrew Veasman, who was an E4 specialist in the U.S. Army.

Andrew deployed to Iraq with the 504th Military Police Battalion from 2007 to 2008. While he was in Iraq, one of the main jobs he had was convoy security where he was responsible for providing protection from enemy attacks to ensure the safety of American troops and critical assets were in place.

Some of his duties in convoy security included reconnaissance, security, escorting, and establishing a combat reaction force.

Andrew's fondest memory from his deployment was praying together for safety before each and every mission.

Andrew was honorably discharged in 2014 and joined the Missouri National Guard in 2024 as a mechanic.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Andrew for his dedication and his service.

Honoring Cummings Men's Wear

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our November Small Business of the Month from the Fourth Congressional District of Missouri, Cummings Men's Wear, owned by Jennifer and David Cummings, friends of mine.

This fantastic business, on the historic downtown Clinton Square, just celebrated 40 years of outstanding business.

Mr. Speaker, in case you are looking for a new suit, they have got you covered. Cummings Men's Wear offers a selection of suits, sport coats, dress shirts, polos, golf shirts, and so much more. From fun holiday socks to tuxedos, Cummings Men's Wear has you covered.

Over the past four decades, Cummings Men's Wear has become a trusted institution, known not only for its exceptional selection of men's fashion but also for its personalized service and longstanding relationships with their customers, who aren't just customers but they are friends.

This store is a symbol of excellence and style, sophistication, and professionalism with a loyal and appreciative clientele.

Missouri's Fourth District is grateful to have such a community- invested, family-owned business.

Congratulations to David and Jennifer Cummings for menswear on the square, for 40 years of success and great men's clothing.