Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 794) to require a pilot program on the participation of non-asset-based third-party logistics providers in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism.

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 S. 794.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 794, the CTPAT Pilot Program Act of 2023, which would establish a pilot program to assess the security benefits of providers in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program. I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support S. 794, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9459) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enable secure and trustworthy technology through other transaction contracting authority, and for other purposes.

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 H.R. 9459.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9459, the PATHS Act.

DHS' other transaction authority is an important tool in the Department's limited arsenal of mechanisms to acquire innovative new research and prototypes.

This bill also includes some commonsense transparency reforms to DHS' use of OTA authority.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest), for his work on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest) the Congressman who represents my parents and who is the vice chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I, again, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9459, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3208) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a DHS Cybersecurity On-the-Job Training Program, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3208.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3208. The DHS Cybersecurity On-the-Job Training Program Act will strengthen CISA's role in providing cybersecurity training to DHS employees not formerly in cybersecurity positions.

This legislation is reflective of the consistent efforts of its sponsor, Ms. Jackson Lee, who we all lost just months ago, to improve DHS. This, I believe, is her last bill. She was a true friend to the committee and to this Chamber, and I know we will all miss her presence.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I, again, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3208, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 4698) to authorize the Joint Task Forces of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on S. 4698.

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

I rise in support of S. 4698, the DHS Joint Task Forces Reauthorization Act of 2024, which extends authorization for DHS' Joint Task Force authority until September 30, 2026.

This critical authority allows DHS to use multiagency task forces to defend U.S. borders against terrorism and other emerging threats in a unity of effort campaign.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins) for his leadership on the House companion to this legislation, H.R. 9460, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Again, I urge my colleagues to support S. 4698, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the upcoming 80th

Anniversary of Operation Dragoon and the Southern France Campaign--The Second D-Day in France and the liberation of Southern France.

Operation Dragoon began on 15 August 1944 and the subsequent Southern France Campaign lasted until 14 September 1944. The 7th U.S. Army under Lieutenant General Alexander M. Patch, commanded the VIth U.S. Corps under Major General Lucian K. Truscott, II, comprised of three of the Army's most combat-experienced divisions--the 3rd Infantry Division commanded by Major General John Wilson ``Iron Mike'' O'Daniel, the 36th Infantry Division commanded by Major General John E. Dahlquist, and the 45th Infantry Division commanded by Major General William W. Eagles, and Corps troops; the 1st Airborne Task Force commanded by Brigadier General Robert T. Frederick, the Canadian-American 1st Special Service Force commanded by Colonel Edwin A. Walker, and French Army B, later to be renamed the 1st French Army, commanded by General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) teams were inserted in the months to link up with French Forces of the Interior (FFI, of the Resistance) prior to prepare for the invasion. The landing forces were ably supported by the Mediterranean Allied Air Force under Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker and the Western Naval Task Force under Vice Admiral Henry K. Hewitt, conducted the second largest amphibious landing in Europe on 15 August 1944.

The primary objective of Operation Dragoon was to threaten the southern flank of Nazi forces fighting in northern France. Further objectives were the seizing of the ports of Toulon and Marseille to provide critical logistical support for Allied forces fighting in the whole of France, the introduction of French forces into France, and the stationing of Allied Air Forces in Southern France, to better support combat operations.

Allied military personnel from France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Greece, and Poland participated in Operation Dragoon and provided critical air and naval support to open the second front in Southern France. 885 ships and landing craft, carrying nearly 1,375 smaller landing craft, with their crews, carried 151,000 troops, 21,400 trucks, tanks, tank destroyers, prime-movers, bulldozers, tractors and other vehicles to the beaches. Included were 40,850 French personnel and 2,610 vehicles of the 1st French Army. 444 aircraft sorties and 408 glider sorties delivered 6,488 paratroopers, 2,611 glider troops, 213 pieces of artillery, and 221 vehicles to the target area.

The 1st Airborne Task Force successfully landed near Le Muy, La Motte, and Les Arcs causing serious disarray in German command channels which prevented a rapid coordinated response to the main force landings. Draguignan fell on 16 August. The 1st Special Service Force cleared the offshore islands of Port Cros and Levant to secure the southern flank of the assault. Landing on the morning of 15 August all units successfully overwhelmed German defense and expanded the beachhead. The 3rd Infantry Division cleared the St. Tropez Peninsula, liberating the villages of St. Tropez and Cogolin after landing at Ramatuelle, La Croix-Valmer, and Cavalaire-sur-Mer. The 45th Infantry Division liberated Sainte Maxine and the 36th Infantry Division liberated St. Raphael. Fighting through the Maures and Esterel hill masses all units reached the Blue Line, the point where the beachhead could no longer be threatened by enemy counterattack. On 17 August the Truscott's VIth Corps launched its aggressive pursuit of German forces and through the speed of its advance prevented the establishment of defensive positions east of the Rhone Valley. The Corps' Task Force Butler, following the historic Route Napoleon through the Maritime Alps, the 36th Infantry Division, and 45th Infantry Division rapidly moved north in an effort to flank and trap the German 19th Army withdrawing up the Rhone Valley with the 45th Infantry Division liberating Barjols and clearing the Valensole Plateau, TF Butler and the 36th Infantry Division liberating Sisteron, Gap, and Grenoble. The 3rd Infantry Division, attacked west along the Argens valley along the Route Nationale (RN) 7, guarding the northern flank of French forces reducing Toulon and Marseille and blocking a possible German counter- attack, in the process liberating Le Luc (in cooperation with the 45th Infantry Division and French Armored Command Sudre)--a vital road junction on RN 7, Brignoles, and numerous communities along the approach to Aix-en-Provence including Vauvenargues and Saint-Marc- Jaumegarde abutting Mont St. Victoire. While Task Force Butler, then the 36th Infantry Division with attached units from the 45th Infantry Division, fought in the Montelimar Battle Square north of the city of Montelimar from 21 to 29 August, the 3rd Infantry Division continued to press against 19th Army rearguard forces, liberating numerous communities including Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Lancon-Provence, Salon- de-Provence, Orange, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Bollene, Saint-Paul-Trois- Chateaux, Valreas, Pierrelatte, La Garde-Adhemar and culminated at the important city of Montelimar on 28 August. French Army B liberated Toulon and Marseille on 28 August, taking 1,825 casualties but taking 11,000 Nazi prisoners.

On 29 August the 3rd Infantry Division established contact with the 36th Infantry Division near the villages of Sauzet and La Laupie northeast of the city. The 1st Airborne Task Force and 1st Special Service Force continued to guard the 7th Army's right flank from any German attack from Italy and reduced German forces in the Maritime Alps along the Italian Border--liberating the French Riviera cities of Cannes, Nice and Grasse.

The 19th Army continued its withdrawal towards Lyon, seeking to establish a coherent defensive line to oppose 7th Army's rapid advance, which drove first towards Lyon and then shifted its axis to Dijon. The 7th Army liberated Lyon on 3 September and continued to press northeast to reach the Belfort Gap, the traditional approach to the Rhine River Valley. The 3rd Infantry Division liberated Besancon on 7 September after a tough 3-day fight. The speed of the 7th Army advance prevented the 19th Army's anchoring its defense on Dijon, it therefore withdrew towards the base of the Vosges Mountains. Approaching the Vosges, the Vlth Corps' three divisions faced stiffening German resistance. The 3rd Infantry Division liberated Vesoul on 12 September and by 14 September the Corps' three divisions were positioned near the towns of Fougerolles, Luxeuil, Lure, and Villersexel. French forces made contact with elements of the 3rd Army near Dijon on 11 September. With this juncture of 3rd and 7th Army forces the Southern France Campaign came to an end. The 6th Army Group was activated on 15 September and transferred from the Mediterranean Theater to GEN Eisenhower's European Theater of Operations. French forces under 7th Army control were re- designated the 1st French Army and became a separate command under 6th Army Group control.

Under the aggressive leadership of LTG Patch, MG Truscott, and General Delattre de Tassigny U.S. and Allied forces of the 6th Army Group and its supporting air and naval support severely damaged the German 19th Army and during the 30-day Southern France Campaign moved over 400 miles from the landing beaches in Provence to link up with General Eisenhower's forces fighting their way from Normandy on 11 September 1944. Over \2/3\ of France were liberated in the space of one month. French Forces of the Interior (the Resistance) contributed tremendously to Dragoon's success providing critical intelligence in the preparation for the landings and with countless small unit actions which harassed Nazi forces throughout the campaign. In the 30-day campaign to liberate Southern France the U.S. forces suffered 4,500 battle casualties and 5,300 non-battle casualties Nazi forces are assessed as having 7,000 killed in action, 21,000 wounded in action, and 131,250 prisoners of war.

Medals of Honor were awarded to the following 3rd Infantry Division soldiers during the Southern France Campaign: SSG James P. Connor, 15 August in Cavalaire-sur-Mer, SSG Stanley Bender, 17 August in La Londe- les-Maures; T/5 Robert D. Maxwell 7 September in Besancon; 2LT Raymond Zussman on 12 September in Noroy-le-Bourg, and 1LI John J. Tominac on 12 September in Vesoul. Among the Distinguished Service Cross recipients was a young SSG in the 15th Infantry Regiment, Audie Murphy, whose action came near Ramatuelle on 15 August and who would go on to become the most-decorated soldier and best-known soldier of WWII. Other Medal of Honor recipients were 2LT Stephen R. Gregg from the 36th Infantry Division on 27 August near Montelimar and 2LT Almond E. Fisher of the 45th Infantry Division on 12-13 September near Grammont.

Unit awards included Presidential Unit Citations to the following 3rd Infantry Division units: 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment for its performance in Montelimar on 27 August embroidered Montelimar and the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment for Besancon 6-7 September embroidered Besancon; and to the 36th Infantry Division the 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry 15-16 August embroidered Southern France and the 3rd Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment 26-29 August for fighting embroidered Montelimar; and Cannon Company, 442nd Infantry Regiment for the full campaign embroidered Southern France.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the entire House of Representatives join me in congratulating and thanking the surviving veterans of Operation Dragoon and the Southern France Campaign on the occasion of the upcoming 80th anniversary of this highly successful operation which liberated Southern France and played a critical role in the Allied victory in Europe in WWII.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1376, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 1371) strongly condemning the Biden Administration and its Border Czar, Kamala Harris's, failure to secure the United States border, 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 H. Res. 1371.

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

Mr. Speaker, on March 24, 2021, President Joe Biden announced to the American people that he tasked Vice President Kamala Harris to ``lead our efforts'' to address the ``root causes'' of the border by working with Mexico and Central America to stem the flow of illegal border crossings at the Southwest border.

However, since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, CBP has recorded more than 9.6 million encounters nationwide, and this number continues to rapidly increase.

Over 200,000 Americans have died from the fentanyl flooding across our open border. Precious lives like those of Laken Riley, Rachel Morin, and Jocelyn Nungaray have been brutally taken by illegal aliens who have been released.

We have been told that Vice President Harris' job was to find the root causes of the crisis. Turns out to do so, she could have just looked in the mirror.

Now, it would be charitable to say that Vice President Harris is completely out of her depth when it comes to securing the border. The fact is, she has a long track record of opposing border security and immigration enforcement, whether as a Senator, a Presidential candidate, or as Joe Biden's ``border czar.''

For example, then-Senator Harris advocated abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She proudly boasted that she would introduce legislation to reduce the number of ICE detention beds, and she also advocated for doing away with private detention facilities. She called construction of the new border wall system ``a stupid use of money.'' She opposed the use of title 42 during the COVID-19 pandemic. She even once compared ICE to the KKK.

In her short-lived campaign for President in 2019, Vice President Harris declared during one debate that she supported decriminalizing illegal border crossings. According to her campaign website, longstanding, bipartisan border security policies were ``cruel and out of control.''

As Vice President, her track record has been just as dismal. Let's first recognize that many of the very policies she supported as a Senator, including cutting ICE beds, ending border wall construction, and ending title 42, became a reality after she took office.

Further, despite being President Biden's border czar, after saying border visits were just grand gestures, she has only made one trip to the Southwest border, all the way back in June 2021, in what Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar called a politically safe, check-the-box visit. She has not been back since.

Just this week, it was reported that she has never spoken with current Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens or his predecessor, Chief Raul Ortiz. This belies absolute dereliction of her responsibility to secure the border.

This longtime extremist has run point on ending the Biden administration's self-inflicted border crisis, and it shows.

Vice President Harris has also lied to the American people repeatedly about the crisis she helped to create. In June 2022, she falsely claimed on national television: ``The border is secure. . . . We have a secure border, in that that is a priority for any nation, including ours, and our administration.'' She also helped spread the vicious lies about mounted Border Patrol agents in Del Rio, Texas, slandering and maligning them for just doing their jobs.

Now, given how bad the border is for them politically, our friends on the left are suddenly aghast that we are again referring to the Vice President as the border czar. However, back in March 2021, even the corporate media were describing her role with this title, which, as we all remember from the Obama years, simply means a government official tasked with the responsibility for a particular policy issue.

Now that Vice President Harris is the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, we have watched our colleagues on the other side of the aisle get defensive about it because they know they cannot possibly defend her disastrous handling of the border crisis she was supposed to end.

Vice President Harris is an extreme, dishonest, open-borders radical. That is why President Biden entrusted her with this role. She owns all of his failed border policies and the horrific consequences that have resulted from them. Americans know it, and I am glad that this Congress will acknowledge it, too.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Stefanik), the esteemed Republican Conference Chair and the author of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. De La Cruz).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Yakym).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gimenez).

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Van Duyne).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Greene).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as we conclude this debate, I will quote the Vice President one more time.

In 2015, she said: ``An undocumented immigrant is not a criminal.''

Well, actually, under title 8 of the United States Code, illegally crossing the southwest border is a Federal misdemeanor with up to 6 months in prison as the penalty for a first offense and a felony for repeated offenses.

Vice President Harris brought that mentality to her role as border czar. What we have witnessed today from congressional Democrats confirms that they know it. They have demonstrated that they have no concrete defense for the Biden administration or Vice President Harris' disastrous handling of the unprecedented border crisis, which the Vice President was supposed to help resolve.

They are more upset about colloquial titles for the Vice President than the deadly chaos she has blatantly ignored. They think 1 month of slightly less disastrous border crossing numbers compared to the numbers of the past 3\1/2\ years is their get-out-of-jail-free card on this issue.

The American people are not so easily fooled, however. It is time to pass H. Res. 1371 to call out Vice President Harris' abysmal failure and for the Senate to move on the mountain of border security bills we have sent them this Congress as well.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a team of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals for their invaluable service to the United States. While few know their name or see their work, the Threat Hunting OP Granola Beard responding team saved millions of Americans from a devastating series of cyberattacks

Volt Typhoon, a malicious state-sponsored cyber actor connected to the People's Republic of China (PRC), repeatedly targeted critical U.S. infrastructure. By pre-positioning cyber threats within critical infrastructure IT networks, Volt Typhoon was poised to launch destructive cyberattacks of immense proportions against the U.S. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) confirmed that the malign group compromised critical infrastructure organizations in communications, energy, transportation systems, and water and wastewater systems. In a moment of crisis, the PRC could devastate American communities.

Through the vigilance, dedication, and hard work of the Threat Hunting OP Granola Beard responding team, Volt Typhoon was detected and evicted from many of these critical infrastructure organizations. Despite Volt Typhoon operating in a pattern of behavior inconsistent with traditional cyber espionage, they were no match for our best and brightest. Using their expertise, this unique group of specialists shared Volt Typhoon's tactics, techniques, and activity with the public, ensuring that the malign group could no longer operate in the dark.

Americans owe much to these patriots, though their work often goes unnoticed. This team deserves our deepest gratitude.

On behalf of the American people and the United States Congress, I thank the Threat Hunting OP Granola Beard team for their service to this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dedicated citizen from the greatest generation of Americans, Mrs. Leigh Walker.

Mrs. Walker represents the best of patriotism and what it means to be an American. Eighty-three years ago, a fifteen-year-old in California heard a call to help her country. Pearl Harbor had been attacked, the United States entered the war, and women had just begun joining the war effort. Miss Leigh and her mother were two of the many civilians who reported for duty. Women across the country worked long hours and long weeks, including Leigh and her mother. After months of training, Miss Leigh became a certified welder and began working on ships in Richmond, California at only sixteen years old.

The SS Red Oak Victory, a ship named for the small town in Iowa, was among the ships Mrs. Walker remembers working on. Built to last, this naval ship is still docked in Richmond today. Now no longer used for war, it is a testament to the skill and perseverance exemplified by young women during the war. Miss Leigh and many of her peers rose to the occasion and served their country well with strength and dedication.

After the war, Leigh married Leland Walker, who was a highly skilled steamfitter and boilermaker. Together they moved across the country to Tennessee, which is still their home over 70 years later. Together, they raised two children: Jerry Walker, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and Marcia Chandler, an elementary school teacher of 46 years. Mrs. Walker and the late Mr. Walker have four grandchildren.

Leigh Walker served her community in many informal ways as well. Mrs. Walker spent nearly twenty years helping her daughter's students with reading and writing. She was a reliable volunteer at the high school baseball games where her son-in-law coached and spent many years making cakes treasured by her community for various events.

Today, she is 97 years old and still resides in Dickson County, Tennessee. The advice she leaves speaks to her legacy; ``Be honest, love your family, and always vote.''

Leigh Walker's life is a testament to the American spirit of duty and service, and it is with the greatest respect that I recognize her today.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to honor the personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP's mission is broad and diverse. The more than 60,000 men and women of CBP protect our borders at and between the ports of entry. They protect Americans against terrorists and the instruments of terror. They enforce our laws and help boost our economic security and prosperity by facilitating trade and travel. While the roles they play each day may differ, the men and women of CBP share one common goal: to keep our country a safe, secure, and resilient place where the American way of life can thrive. In this role, CBP employees provide selfless service to our country, and they do so with honor and distinction. They put their uniforms on every day and kiss their families goodbye, not sure of what the next shift will bring. Sadly, some do not return home. Today, I wish to pay tribute to the agents, officers, and employees who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation. Today, we commemorate these brave men and women, celebrate their lives, and offer their families and loved ones our continued support. They have earned the respect and appreciation of a grateful Nation. I include in the Record a list of fallen agents, officers, and employees:

James P. Epling, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 12/16/2003.

Travis W. Attaway, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 9/19/2004.

Jeremy M. Wilson, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 9/19/2004.

George B. DeBates, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 12/19/2004.

Nicholas D. Greenig, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 3/14/2006.

David N. Webb, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 11/3/2006.

Ramon Nevarez, Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 3/15/2007.

David J. Tourscher, Border Patrol Agent Trainee, End of Watch: 3/16/ 2007.

Clinton B. Thrasher, Air Interdiction Agent, End of Watch: 4/25/2007.

Richard M. Goldstein, Bolder Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/11/2007.

Robert F. Smith, Air Interdiction Agent, End of Watch: 5/22/2007.

Eric N. Cabral, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 7/26/2007.

Julio E. Baray, Air Interdiction Agent, End of Watch: 9/24/2007.

Luis A. Aguilar, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 1/19/2008.

Jarod C. Dittman, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 3/30/2008.

Nathaniel A. Afolayan, Border Patrol Agent Intern, End of Watch: 5/1/ 2009.

Cruz C. McGuire, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/21/2009.

Robert W. Rosas, Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 7/23/2009.

Mark F. Van Doren, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/24/2010.

Charles F. Collins, II, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 8/15/2010.

Michael V. Gallagher, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 9/2/2010.

John R. Zykas, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 9/8/2010.

Brian A. Terry, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 12/15/2010.

Hector R. Clark, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/12/2011.

Eduardo Rojas, Jr., Lead Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/12/ 2011.

Leopoldo Cavazos, Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 7/6/2012.

James R. Dominguez, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 7/19/2012.

James S. Litz, Air Interdiction Agent, End of Watch: 9/7/2012.

Jeffrey Ramirez, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 9/15/2012.

Nicholas J. Ivie, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 10/2/2012.

David R. Delaney, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 11/2/2012.

Darrell J. Windhaus, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 12/29/2013.

Alexander I. Giannini, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/28/2014.

Javier Vega, Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 8/3/2014.

Tyler R. Robledo, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 9/12/2014.

Jose D. Barraza, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 4/18/2016.

Manuel A. Alvarez, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 8/11/2016.

David Gomez, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 11/16/2016.

Edgard Garcia, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 5/5/2017.

Isaac Morales, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/24/2017.

Rogelio Martinez, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 11/19/2017.

Christopher T. Bacon, Collections Operations Manager, End of Watch: 6/7/2018.

Donna M. Doss, Border Patiol Resident Agent, End of Watch: 2/2/2019.

Robert M. Hotten, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 10/6/2019.

Wolf Valmond, CBP Officer Trainee, End of Watch: 12/15/2019.

Luis O. Pena, Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 12/23/2019.

Van M. Dong, CBP Technician, End of Watch: 4/1/2020.

Richard G. McCoy, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 5/2/2020.

Omar E. Palmer, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 5/4/2020.

James Taylor, CBP Field Technology Officer, End of Watch: 5/8/2020.

Ching Kok Yan, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 5/16/2020.

Johan S. Mordan, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 6/12/2020.

Alfonso Murrieta, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 7/9/2020.

Enrique J. Rositas, Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 7/11/ 2020.

Roel De La Fuente, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 7/13/2020.

Agustin Aguilar, Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 7/25/2020.

Marco A. Gonzales, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 8/5/2020.

Lucas Saucedo, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 8/21/2020.

Carlo Cayabyab, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 9/16/2020.

Domingo Jasso, III, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 11/5/2020.

Christopher D. Carney, Air Interdiction Agent, End of Watch: 11/16/ 2020.

Richard Rios, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 12/2/2020.

Jose A. Santana, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 12/2/2020.

Juan Ollervidez, III, CBP Agriculture Specialist, End of Watch: 12/ 16/2020.

Denis Jasper Wells, Facility Operations Specialist, End of Watch: 12/ 17/2020.

Andrew R. Bouchard, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 12/19/2020.

Troy A. Adkins, CBP Canine Enforcement Officer, End of Watch: 12/31/ 2020.

Byron D. Shields, Supervisory CBP Officer, End of Watch: 1/20/2021.

Beverly Good, Director of Field Operations, End of Watch: 1/28/2021.

Robert Allan Mayer, Jr., Special Agent, End of Watch: 1/30/2021.

Rodolfo Morales, Jr., Maintenance Mechanic, End of Watch: 2/5/2021.

Cesar Sibonga, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 2/7/2021.

Genato Guerrero, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 2/15/2021.

Carlos C. Mendoza, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 2/24/2021.

Crispin San Jose, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 3/9/2021.

Alejandro Flores-Banuelos, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 3/15/ 2021.

Christopher Shane Simpkins, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 4/12/ 2021.

Mario C. Di Chiara, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 4/28/2021.

Freddie Vasquez, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/8/2021.

Juan M. Urrutia, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/28/2021.

Ruben Facio, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 7/17/2021.

Daniel P. Cox, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 7/31/ 2021.

Edgardo Acosta-Feliciano, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 7/31/ 2021.

Ricardo Zarate, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 8/16/2021.

Yokemia L. Conyers, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 8/18/2021.

Monica J. Riola, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 8/20/2021.

Erik J. Skelton, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 8/24/2021.

Chad E. McBroom, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 8/29/2021.

Francisco V. Tomas, CBP Technician, End of Watch: 9/1/2021.

David B. Saavedra, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 9/2/2021.

Luis H. Dominguez, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 9/23/2021.

David B. Ramirez, Border Patrol Agent--Intelligence, End of Watch: 9/ 26/2021.

Alfredo M. Ibarra, Border Patrol Agent. End of Watch: 9/27/2021.

Victor J. Donate, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 10/7/2021.

David H. Gray, Enforcement Analysis Specialist, End of Watch: 10/8/ 2021.

Scott D. Ritchey, Deputy Director, Air Operations, End of Watch: 10/ 9/2021.

Rafael G. Sanchez, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 10/ 24/2021.

Matthew L. Lyons, Port Director, End of Watch: 10/28/2021.

Anibal A. Perez, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 11/5/ 2021.

Kenneth MacCallum, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 11/26/2021.

Martin Barrios, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 11/29/ 2021.

Salvador Martinez Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 11/30/2021.

Jeffrey P. DeLa Cruz, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 12/23/2021.

Brian L. Vogel, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 12/30/2021.

Bruce R. Eckhoff, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 1/5/2022.

Daniel H. Salazar, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 5/13/2022.

Cody A. Olafson, CBP Officer Trainee, End of Watch: 5/20/2022.

Jorge A. Arias, CBP Officer, End of Watch: 10/19/2022.

Michel O. Maceda, Marine Interdiction Agent, End of Watch: 11/17/ 2022.

Raul H. Gonzalez Jr., Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 12/7/2022.

Jacqueline M. Montanaro, Supervisory CBP Officer, End of Watch: 1/14/ 2023.

Esteban G. Pena, Aviation Enforcement Agent, End of Watch: 4/15/2023.

Anna M. Burakowski, CBP Agriculture Specialist, End of Watch: 7/24/ 2023.

Freddy Ortiz, Border Patrol Agent, End of Watch: 11/14/2023.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ryan J. Propis for his distinguished service to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the United States Congress.

Ryan is a proud alumnus of the University of Florida and the University of Miami School of Law. Armed with a profound commitment to public service, Ryan embarked on his professional career as a legal fellow with the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2013 before working as a legislative staffer to then-Congressman Ted Yoho. Subsequently, in 2015, he joined the House Committee on Homeland Security for his first tour, where he served as Counsel and Senior Counsel under the leadership of then-Chairman Michael McCaul. In a testament to his hard work and leadership, he was asked to join the Executive Branch, where he became an invaluable aide to the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in 2018. Again, Ryan's dedication to our Nation's security earned him a promotion to become TSA's Chief of Staff in 2019. There, he capably led a workforce dedicated to protecting the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

At the end of the Trump Administration, Ryan returned to the Homeland Security Committee as General Counsel under the leadership of then- Ranking Member John Katko. Later in 2021, Ryan took on an additional role as Deputy Staff Director. He has served with distinction in both roles since. Having worked with Ryan since the beginning of the 118th Congress, I have seen firsthand how Ryan exemplifies what it means to be a public servant. He possesses a wealth of knowledge in homeland security policy and the challenges facing our Nation every day. He has served the Homeland Security Committee faithfully under the leadership of three different chairmen or ranking member. Ryan's invaluable contributions have significantly benefitted the Committee's approach to our nation's greatest challenges, from the crisis at our Southwest border to the increasing threat of cyberattacks.

Ryan's steady leadership and wise counsel have helped ensure a seamless transition during a period of significant change, as Republicans took the House Majority in 2023 and the Committee on Homeland Security gained a new Chairman. He has been a key part of our historic successes this Congress--from the passage of H.R. 2 to the accountability of the Department of Homeland Security we have delivered for the American people.

I am deeply grateful for Ryan's invaluable service to the Committee and our Nation. Ryan is a true patriot, and I am confident he will continue to distinguish himself as he decamps for the private sector. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the House Committee on Homeland Security, I commend Ryan for his diligent service and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the valiant service of Technical Sergeant Earl Westbrooks to his country and the United States Army.

Sergeant Westbrooks answered the call of duty at the Perry County Courthouse in 1944 at the young age of seventeen. He completed basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, whereupon he served as a non- commissioned officer in World War II and the early days of the Korean War. Prior to leaving Korea in 1948, Sergeant Westbrooks trained members of the South Korean Army in Chan-ju, which later proved instrumental to the defense from the brutal communist invasion in 1950.

Upon completing his service overseas, Sergeant Westbrooks returned to finish his schooling, which had been cut short by the war, and on the same day his son graduated from Perry County High School, Sergeant Westbrooks earned his GED. Ever the servant leader, he is deeply involved in his community and an active member of Faith Baptist Church in Linden, Tennessee. He is also an excellent guitarist and a former player in Minnie Pearl's Grinder's Switch Skillet Lickers, which performed in Odessa, Texas.

A proud veteran, Sergeant Westbrooks is an active VFW member, and he regularly represents WWII veterans at events across West and Middle Tennessee. While he traded in his military fatigues for civvies, he never stopped serving his country, and you can still find him in Perry County, Tennessee, wearing his World War II and Korea Veterans hats with pride.

Sergeant Westbrooks and the love of his life, Mrs. Aline Hinson Westbrooks, celebrated 74 years of marriage earlier this year. Together, they have three children: Deborah Hardin, Kerry Westbrooks, and Lisa Stayrook.

Technical Sergeant Earl Westbrooks has lived an admirable life marked by service, both to his community and his country. On behalf of the House of Representatives and as a fellow veteran, I commend him for his service to our district, the state of Tennessee, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the valiant service of Captain Larry Taylor and his induction into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame. Although no longer with us, having sadly passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024, Captain Taylor's legacy lives on through the lives he touched.

Captain Taylor faithfully followed the family tradition of military service. His family's service in both World War I and World War II exposed Captain Taylor to the sacrifices our brave service men and women must endure to protect the homeland. While attending the University of Tennessee, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Program and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant upon his graduation in 1966. He qualified as an Army Aviator assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, where he completed over 2000 combat missions as a helicopter pilot.

One particularly dangerous mission illustrated the deep reservoir of bravery that was a hallmark of Captain Taylor's career. In 1968, while deployed in Vietnam, Captain Taylor came to the aid of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol under immense enemy fire, evacuating them from far behind enemy lines in the dead of night. Captain Taylor was only ordered to lend fire support to the patrol; however, after expending his entire stock of 152 rockets and 16,000 minigun rounds, it was clear the patrol had no hope of escape. Captain Taylor, realizing immediate air evacuation was the patrol's only hope, disobeyed direct orders to fall back and instead landed in the dark jungle to extract the patrol himself. His Cobra attack helicopter flew the entire patrol--clinging to the rocket pods and helicopter skids--to safety.

From my own time as a flight surgeon supporting U.S. Army Rangers, I am intimately aware of the pressures placed upon helicopter support squadrons. However, Captain Taylor's act of bravery over 50 years ago remains a valiant icon to Army aviators. In September of 2023, Captain Taylor was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his act of heroism. Yet, when Captain Taylor was informed by the President of the United States that he was to receive the Medal of Honor, the Captain humbly replied, ``I thought you had to do something to receive a Medal of Honor.''

After completing his service, Captain Taylor returned to his home state of Tennessee where he ran a sheet metal company in Chattanooga. He was deeply involved as a veteran in his community and generously donated to organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, and the Railroad Museum. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Toni, their two sons, Larry and Grady, and five grandchildren.

Captain Taylor's life is a testament to duty and excellence in action, and it is with the greatest honor and respect that I commend his induction as part of the newest class of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame and humbly remember his bravery.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4403) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make improvements to the Securing the Cities program, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4403.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4403. Since 2007, DHS has operated the Securing the Cities program to help cities prepare for and respond to nuclear or radiological threats.

H.R. 4403, the Securing the Cities Improvement Act will remove the requirement for a jurisdiction to be designated as a high-risk urban area by FEMA, diminishing the uncertainty for cities to be removed from the STC program.

Additionally, this legislation will provide transparency by requiring the department to establish performance metrics and milestones for the STC program to track its performance and monitor its expenditures.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Carter for his work on this. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4430, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4403. I thank Mr. Carter, the gentleman from Louisiana, for his excellent work on this, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5969) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to revise certain regulations to permit certain children to accompany their parents or legal guardians through Global Entry airport lanes, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5969.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5969, the Global Entry program, which is managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, grants expedited clearance for preapproved, low-risk travelers.

Millions of users are enrolled in the Global Entry program and Global Entry kiosks are deployed at many major airports throughout the United States. However, issues can arise when families are traveling with minor children who are not enrolled in the Global Entry program. Because Global Entry benefits are member specific, young children who are not enrolled in the program are not currently allowed to join their parents in the Global Entry line.

H.R. 5969 would rectify this by allowing children ages 10 and younger to join their Global Entry-enrolled parents or guardian through the Global Entry lane.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Luttrell for his work on this very important bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5969, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Luttrell), the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

I again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5969. I, of course, thank again Mr. Luttrell for his excellent work on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 206) to require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to regularly review and update policies and manuals related to inspections at ports of entry.

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 S. 206.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 206. In 2019, the Government Accountability Office issued a report which determined that U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not regularly update their inspection policies at ports of entry. In some cases, policies had not been updated in 20 years and did not accurately reflect current operating conditions, presently deployed technology, or adequately address how to handle things like fentanyl.

S. 206 would require CBP to review and update policies and manuals at least once every 3 years and also provide reports to Congress on changes made by those updates. This should ensure that CBP is employing the latest and most efficient methods to stop illegal activity at the ports of entry and prevent it from entering the United States.

I thank Senator Scott and Congressman Guest for their important work

on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support S. 206, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest), the leader of the House companion bill to S. 206 and the vice chair of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

I again urge my colleagues to support S. 206. I thank Mr. Guest for his work in assisting Senator Scott, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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