Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 21 years of service that Kathy Deer has given to the City of Pearl. Serving as the Executive Director of the Pearl Chamber of Commerce, she has shown diligence in creating a business-friendly environment in Pearl, overseen new business ribbon cuttings, celebrated local first responders, and supported the City of Pearl in countless other ways.

At the end of 2026, Kathy will retire from the Pearl Chamber of Commerce. Kathy has given Pearl so much of her time and leadership as she has worked to build a vibrant business community. Kathy's dedication will positively impact the City of Pearl and the surrounding

area for many years to come. I am thankful for the opportunity to recognize and honor Kathy Deer's unwavering commitment to the City of Pearl for the last 21 years, and I wish her the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Scott C. Cunningham, who is retiring from the House of Representatives after 25 years of exemplary service.

Upon graduation from Emory University, Scott relocated to Washington, D.C., to begin his career as a Legislative Assistant for the Honorable Pete Sessions, a Member from his home state of Texas. Scott's hard work, problem-solving skills, and can-do attitude quickly made him a valued member of Congressman Sessions' staff.

In 2007, Scott took his talents to the office of another Texan, the Honorable Kenny Marchant, serving in multiple capacities from Policy Advisor to Deputy Chief of Staff over the next fourteen years. During his last two years with Mr. Marchant, Scott was a Senior Advisor and the designated liaison to the House Ethics Committee. After Mr. Merchant's departure from Congress, Scott continued to serve the House by joining the office of Congressman Scott DesJarlais as a Special Assistant.

In 2021, Scott joined the Office of General Counsel (OGC) as its Director of Administration and Member Services. Scott took on new tasks and responsibilities with aplomb and immediately became an indispensable part of the OGC team. It would be impossible to list all his contributions, but among them, he has taken the lead role relating to all aspects of office management and administration, including the office budget and computer systems, and was very often the first point of contact for a Member office when interfacing with OGC. During his time with OGC, Scott displayed an admirable level of dedication to serving Members, Officers, and employees of the House, proving to be remarkably trustworthy and utterly fearless when faced with novel, sensitive, and difficult matters. Scott's unwavering resolve and commitment to the House as an institution and OGC's particular role within that institution was always evident, as was his ability to find a solution to seemingly any problem.

It is hard to imagine a congressional staffer much finer than Scott, who embodies the true spirit of public service. Scott has been an irreplaceable member of every team on which he has served. He has been a kind and thoughtful coworker to all, treating everyone from the Members to the maintenance staff with the utmost respect and kindness. As scores of current and former colleagues can attest, Scott is the kind of coworker who makes the workday better for everyone with whom he comes into contact. It is no exaggeration to say that he has become a fixture of the House community over his years on the Hill. Indeed, it is practically impossible for Scott to go anywhere on the Hill and not run into at least one person who wanted to stop and catch up with him. Scott is always eager to share his passion for all things aviation and travel, being a frequent wedding guest, and of course rooting for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, especially when it comes to the sport of curling. Scott's convivial and welcoming presence on the Hill will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of working with him.

It will be hard to imagine the House without Scott. Every day for the past 25 years, Scott has served the House with dedication and enthusiasm. Regardless of the task assigned, Scott will always find a way to accomplish it--a quality that will continue to serve him well in all future endeavors. On behalf of the Office of General Counsel and the entire House community, I thank Scott for his decades of service and wish him a joyous and relaxing retirement among his many friends, family, and former colleagues whether here in Washington, in Texas, or around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the nearly 111 years of Mr. Major Jewel McDonald of Louisville, Mississippi. Born in 1915, Mr. McDonald has witnessed generations of history in his lifetime. Mr. McDonald has lived through two world wars, twenty different Presidents going back to President

Woodrow Wilson, six members of the 3rd Congressional District of Mississippi going back to Congressman Benjamin G. Humphreys, and has witnessed events such as the roaring 20's, the space race, the civil rights movement, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the rise of modern technology. Mr. McDonald shares a birth year with famous singer Frank Sinatra and fellow Mississippian Muddy Waters.

Mr. McDonald has lived a wholesome life with family and his community, working hard and investing in a career with The Kroger Company. In the 1980's, after a stint in Ohio, Mr. McDonald moved back to Louisville to live in his home community.

Mr. McDonald was recognized as the oldest living man in America following the passing of Edwin ``Ed'' George Martin of Lehigh Acres, Florida, on July 24, 2026, at the age of 111 years and 159 days. On November 1, 2026, Mr. McDonald will celebrate his 111th birthday. He will be turning 111 on November 1st. I am honored to recognize Mr. McDonald for his long life and amazing legacy.

I wish Mr. McDonald the best and I am honored to represent him in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to consider H. Res. 1498 in the House without intervention of any point of order if called on by the chair of the Committee on Ethics or his designee; that the resolution be considered as read; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the resolution to adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of the question except for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by myself and Representative Edwards of North Carolina, or their designee.

I call up H. Res. 1498 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of today, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 1498) in the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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 materials on H. Res. 1498.

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

The Committee on Ethics conducted a monthslong investigation into the activity of Mr. Edwards, and the committee released a report on August 3 and made the following findings.

First, the committee found no--and I do repeat the word ``no''-- evidence that Mr. Edwards engaged in sexual activity or that he explicitly propositioned any individuals under his employment.

The committee did find that Mr. Edwards' conduct toward two young female staffers was inappropriate and violated rules prohibiting sexual harassment.

Mr. Speaker, sexual harassment can be shown generally in one of two ways. The first is unwelcome sexual advances premised on a quid pro quo exchange; i.e., there is a tangible job benefit that is conditioned on the employee engaging in a relationship with his or her employer. The second way sexual harassment can be shown is an abusive work environment that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim's employment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House be in order.

Mr. Speaker, the allegations in this matter do not implicate a quid pro quo sexual harassment but, rather, that Edwards' conduct and behavior create a hostile work environment.

Under Federal law, a hostile work environment must be objectively and subjectively offensive, one that a reasonable person would find hostile or abusive and one that the victim, in fact, did perceive to be so.

Determining whether an employee was subject to such an environment depends on a totality of the circumstances test. That test includes the frequency, severity, and offensiveness of the conduct at issue.

Mr. Speaker, in this case, the committee reviewed Representative Edwards' conduct and determined that he engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female staffers.

While Representative Edwards denies that his conduct was intended to be sexual or romantic, his pattern of behavior would lead a reasonable person to interpret it as such.

The behavior includes: providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, sending notes regarding his affection, and inviting them to other activities as a way to spend time together.

Representative Edwards was aware that his excessive attention toward these young ladies led to rumors and innuendos that he was engaged in a romantic relationship with one or both staffers.

Representative Edwards was also aware that the women were uncomfortable with his behavior. The women communicated their feeling of discomfort to senior staff who then spoke with Representative Edwards on their behalf. Representative Edwards did not appreciate the action of senior staff expressing the discomfort felt by the two women and continued his behavior.

The committee found that Representative Edwards was, at a minimum, blind to the reality and, at worst, dismissive of the impact his conduct had on the careers and well-being of the women on his staff.

Representative Edwards' conduct was singling out certain staffers and isolating them from other members of the staff, making frequent comments regarding a person's appearance and weight, sending messages in the middle of the night, texting staff deeply personal and seemingly romantic thoughts, intruding on personal occasions without invitation, paying for personal vacations, and spending thousands of dollars on gifts for staffers.

When taken individually, this conduct is, at a minimum, inappropriate, but these actions, when taken in combination with each other and when viewed under a totality of the circumstances test, led the committee to find that Representative Edwards engaged in unprofessional conduct toward two young female staffers. Said conduct created a hostile work environment that resulted in both staffers leaving the employment of Mr. Edwards' office.

Furthermore, the Committee on Ethics recommends a floor sanction should be imposed, and Representative Edwards should be censured for his conduct.

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

Mr. Speaker, before I recognize my next speaker, I would point out that the arguments made by Mr. Edwards are facts that are contained in the report. They are part of the opening statement that I gave, the statement as to which the committee found no evidence that he was involved in a romantic relationship and found that he did not directly proposition any individuals who were in his employment.

And so there has been an attempt by this committee to put forth evidence that we believe supports sexual harassment but also to show evidence in the light that is being portrayed by Mr. Edwards, that some of the innuendos that were circulating at one time were not true and correct.

This committee worked very diligently, Mr. Speaker, to try to gather evidence and to try and present that in a fair format--evidence that both supports the findings of the committee and then at times evidence that supports the findings of those people who are charged or who are under investigation by the Ethics Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier), the ranking member of the House Committee on Ethics.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ivey), a fellow member of the House Ethics Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I move adoption of H. Res. 1498, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1504) which is printed in House Report 119-693, regarding proceedings against Michael Joseph and ask for its immediate consideration.

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 the resolution printed in House Report 119-693.

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

Mr. Speaker, as the chair of the Committee on Ethics, I rise in support of the resolutions which call for Michael Joseph and Hector Roos to be held in contempt of Congress for their failure to comply with documentary and testimonial subpoenas issued on September 11, 2025, and August 12, 2026, respectively.

Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution provides that each House may punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.

The House has charged the Committee on Ethics with the duty of implementing this provision on its behalf. The committee recommends and enforces ethical standards that ensure Members and staff act in a manner befitting the public trust.

Pursuant to that authority, the House has authorized the committee and its subcommittees to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and their production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as it considers necessary to carry out its investigative functions.

House rules do not specify that personal service is the only method of effecting service of its subpoenas. An individual has a legal obligation to comply with a duly issued and valid congressional subpoena, unless a valid privilege or other legal justification excuses compliance. An individual who fails to comply with a House subpoena may be cited for contempt of Congress.

In this case, the committee impaneled an investigative subcommittee to inquire into certain allegations regarding former Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

In order to conduct a thorough investigation, the investigative subcommittee authorized, and the committee issued, subpoenas for documents and testimonies to Mr. Joseph and Mr. Roos.

Mr. Roos was a senior campaign staffer who filed inaccurate reports with the Federal Election Commission and made in kind contributions to the campaign.

Mr. Roos was served with documentary and testimonial subpoenas issued on August 12, 2025, by the United States Marshals Service. He did not appear for his deposition on September 25, 2025, nor did he produce the documents at any time. Mr. Roos did not provide a valid legal justification for his noncompliance.

Mr. Joseph was the President of a company that improperly provided corporate funds for the Congresswoman's campaign and influenced her staff to submit community funding project requests for entities that he supported.

Mr. Joseph was served with documentary and testimonial subpoenas issued on March 11, 2025. Mr. Joseph accepted service. Later, he responded he could not comply because as an attorney it would violate attorney-client privilege.

Committee rules provide that the presiding member of the subcommittee may consider objections on the basis of privilege and request his objection be put in writing. Although Mr. Joseph did not do so, the investigative subcommittee nonetheless considered his objection and determined it was not a valid assertion of the attorney-client privilege.

Nonetheless, Mr. Joseph did not appear for his deposition on October 7, 2025, nor did he produce documents at any time. Mr. Joseph did not provide a valid legal justification for his noncompliance.

The investigative subcommittee offered both Mr. Roos and Mr. Joseph a final opportunity to comply with subpoenas, but neither did so.

Therefore, the investigative subcommittee voted on March 18, 2026, to adopt reports recommending the committee submit a resolution recommending the House cite Mr. Roos and Mr. Joseph for contempt of Congress pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 194 and 192.

On May 13, 2026, the committee adopted its own reports incorporating by reference the reports of the investigative subcommittee and concurring with this recommendation. The reports were transmitted to the Clerk of the House and made public on June 22, 2026, and have been made available to Members of the House and the public on the committee's website since Friday.

The committee cannot fulfill its obligations to safeguard the integrity of the House when witnesses ignore its subpoenas, and the House cannot accept such willful disregard of its authority.

Mr. Roos and Mr. Joseph willfully failed to comply with multiple subpoenas issued by the committee. They impeded the investigative subcommittee's investigations into the allegations concerning former Representative Cherfilus-McCormick.

Those allegations were serious and included violations of Federal law to which Mr. Roos and Mr. Joseph were party. Their conduct warrants referrals to the United States Department of Justice for contempt of Congress.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I move that the rules be suspended and that this body agree to the resolution printed in House Report 119-693 regarding proceedings against Michael Joseph, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1505) which is printed in House Report 119-694, regarding proceedings against Hector Roos and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution printed in House Report 119-694.

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

Mr. Speaker, I reemphasize my comments made earlier regarding these matters and would urge adoption. At this time, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional witnesses and am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules to agree to the resolution printed in House Report 119-694 regarding proceedings against Hector Roos. I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and legacy of Steven Duane Wallace of Brandon, Mississippi. Steven was a lifelong resident of Rankin County and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1998. Following graduation, he taught and coached basketball at Pelahatchie and Simpson Academy before venturing into the insurance industry. In 2001, he opened Insurance Associates of Rankin County where he began his career of more than twenty-five years devoted to providing his insureds with personal, committed, and exceptional service.

Steven was dedicated to his wife Charity and his children Reagan and Wilkes. Whether with soccer, t-ball, baseball, football, or basketball, Steven was always eager to assist in coaching teams, especially recreational football for his son. He had no greater pride than watching his sons compete.

I was honored to have Steven as my landlord for my Brandon District Office. It was a joy to work with him. I am thankful for the legacy of faithfulness to his family that Steven leaves for others to see. He is missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Marcus Bowers. For more than 45 years, Marcus Bowers has been dedicated to serving his community through sharing small town stories, breaking news, and everyday happenings across Rankin County. Alongside his family, he became owner of the Rankin County News on October 6, 1980, serving as publisher, editor, and advertising manager while leading one of Mississippi's most respected community newspapers.

The Rankin County News holds a unique place in Mississippi history as the oldest continuously published newspaper in the state. During the Civil War, when newsprint became scarce, the newspaper continued publishing by printing editions on the back of wallpaper--an enduring symbol of its commitment to keeping citizens informed. In its early years, the paper's circulation extended from Meridian to Vicksburg, serving readers across a large portion of central Mississippi.

Under Marcus's leadership, the newspaper embraced a simple philosophy: ``Report the news, don't make the news.'' For more than 45 years, the Rankin County News has documented the history, achievements, challenges, and growth of Rankin County while preserving the stories that define its communities. As Marcus wrote upon announcing the sale of the newspaper, ``A newspaper is a protector for the public.'' Mucus has also been deeply involved in civic service. He served as President of the Mississippi Press Association, representing newspapers across the state, and has dedicated countless hours to community organizations and public service, including serving 17 years as a Certified Reserve Police Officer with the Brandon Police Department.

Marcus Bowers has spent a lifetime preserving the history of Rankin County while helping to shape its future. I am thankful for the opportunity to honor his service to Rankin County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank WAPT Chief Meteorologist David Hartman for his 40 years of service to Central Mississippi. David Hartman has been one of Mississippi's most trusted voices in weather. David joined 16 WAPT as Chief Meteorologist in 1986 and has helped viewers prepare for some of the state's most dangerous weather events.

Graduating from The Pennsylvania State University in 1983, David studied meteorology and three years after working in South Carolina, moved to Mississippi. He then began his career that made him synonymous with weather coverage across Central Mississippi.

David earned recognition for his commitment to public safety and excellence in forecasting. He has been honored numerous times as Mississippi's Best Television Meteorologist by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters and the Associated Press. David's work with the 16 WAPT news team earned a Regional Emmy Award for coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and an Edward R. Murrow Award for coverage of the devastating Yazoo City tornado in 2010.

In 1995, David received an Emmy nomination for his half-hour severe weather special, A Matter of Seconds, which focused on improving public awareness and preparedness for tornadoes.

WeatherRate recognized David as the Most Accurate Television Weather Forecaster in the Jackson market from 2020 to 2026. His career achievements have also been recognized with induction into the Mississippi Broadcasters Hall of Fame and receiving the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters' Lifetime Achievement Award.

While forecasting the weather was David's primary responsibility, he spent many hours educating the community about weather safety. He spoke in classrooms across Mississippi, helped Scouts earn their merit badges, and served as official meteorologist for events across the state. In 2000, David helped bring the first television Doppler radar to Mississippi, giving 16 WAPT viewers additional minutes of warning during severe weather, helping to save lives.

As the WAPT Chief Meteorologist, David has guided Central Mississippi through hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, winter storms, floods, and countless severe weather events with the calm, steady presence that viewers have come to trust.

David and his wife, Diane, are the proud parents of three children-- Allison, Andrew, and Audrey--all named after hurricanes--and grandparents to Sydney and Peyton.

After a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years in broadcasting, David Hartman leaves a legacy defined not only by forecasting accuracy, but by an unwavering commitment to serving and protecting the people of Mississippi. His impact on the community--and on generations of viewers who trusted him when it mattered most will endure for years to come.

I am honored for the opportunity to recognize David's service and celebrate his 40 years of dedication to keeping us informed on the weather across Central Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Shirley Greer Rogers as she celebrates her 90th birthday.

Ms. Shirley Rogers, born Shirley Jane Greer on July 24, 1936, has devoted her life to serving her church, her family, and her community in Pearl and Rankin County, Mississippi. She and her husband, Ray Rogers, celebrated 67 years of marriage after marrying on June 16, 1953, and together they raised three daughters: Sherry, Pam, and Kim.

A longtime member of McLaurin Heights Methodist Church in Pearl, Ms. Rogers has faithfully served the congregation for decades. She has sung in the church choir, coordinated meals for members recovering from illness or surgery, and for families grieving the loss of loved ones, and served on numerous leadership committees.

Ms. Rogers also dedicated more than two decades to public service in both local and state government. When the City of Pearl incorporated in 1973, she became the city's first employee, serving as its first city clerk. In those formative years, she visited other municipalities and attended conferences to identify best practices for the newly established city, helping lay the foundation for Pearl's future growth and success. She later retired as a director of personnel for the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Known lovingly as ``Mom'' to her grandchildren, Ms. Rogers is equally celebrated for her generosity and hospitality. Her famous brownies have long been shared among friends in the top row of the bleachers at Ray Rogers Stadium during Pearl Pirate football games, and her holiday meals have become cherished traditions for family and friends alike. For many years, she welcomed loved ones into her home for Sunday lunch after church, creating memories that continue to be treasured by all who gathered around her table.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Ms. Shirley Rogers both a constituent and a friend. I am grateful for the extraordinary legacy she has built through a lifetime of faith, service, and devotion to her family and community. On the occasion of her 90th birthday, I join her family, friends, and neighbors in wishing her a very happy birthday and many more to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the public service of Katie Blount, who dedicated more than thirty years to the State of Mississippi at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), serving as the seventh director of the agency since 2015. As only the second woman to lead the department since its founding in 1902, Katie had a steadfast commitment to ``honest storytelling'' and understanding the complexities of Mississippi's storied history.

Under Katie's leadership, the department has broadened access to its collections, expanded the stories it tells, and strengthened its commitment to preserving and interpreting the full and complex history of the state, ensuring that all Mississippians are represented.

Katie was instrumental in the creation and opening of the Two Mississippi Museums, which has welcomed more than 800,000 visitors and established Mississippi as a national leader in public history. She also guided the department in providing support to the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag, helping ensure the Commission carried out its work with transparency and effectiveness.

She has positioned the department for continued success in developing new sites that tell Mississippi's stories, including the Vicksburg Civil War Visitor Center, the Natchez Tribal History Center, and Margaret Ann Crigler Park, while also strengthening the protection of historic places across our state.

I am thankful for Katie's dedication and many years of service to Mississippi. Her work will live on through future generations and continue to inspire other historians to keep Mississippi's unique story alive. I am thankful for the opportunity to recognize Katie's service and commitment to the people of Mississippi and to our state's history.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life and legacy of John Lyle Keenan of Jasper County, Mississippi.

Mr. Keenan was a respected law enforcement officer and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and neighbor whose service and character left a lasting mark on his community.

Born in Rose Hill, Mississippi, Mr. Keenan graduated from Heidelberg High School in 1964. He began his career at La-Z-Boy in Newton before entering public service as a deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff's Department.

In 1977, he joined the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks as a conservation officer, where he served with distinction for more than three decades. While serving at the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, he rose to the rank of captain for District IV before retiring in 2010.

Two years later, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors appointed him as interim sheriff, and he concluded his law enforcement career as a bailiff for the circuit court.

Mr. Keenan's dedication to public service extended well beyond his official duties. He was deeply committed to the stewardship of Mississippi's natural resources, and he served as Jasper County director of the Pat Harrison Waterway District. He also held leadership roles as president of the Jasper County Farm Bureau, the Jasper County Soil and Water Commission, the Meridian Stockyard board of directors, and the Mississippi Pork Producers Association. He remained active in numerous civic and agricultural organizations, including the Jasper County Forestry Association, the Jasper County Livestock Association, and the Bay Springs Lions Club.

Mr. Keenan was widely regarded as a man of honor and integrity, and many sought his counsel on both personal and professional matters, a testament to the trust he earned throughout his life. He was a faithful member of Wesley Independent Methodist Church, where he lived out the values that guided his service.

Mr. Keenan will be deeply missed, not only by his family, but by the entire Jasper County community.

It is a privilege to recognize his life, his service, and his enduring commitment to the people of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and legacy of Karen Henry Ben. Karen Henry Ben grew up in the Bogue Chitto and Conehatta community and attended Choctaw Central High School where she served as Drum Major, was Salutatorian, and was a talented athlete representing the Warriors on the athletic field.

Her first job was at the Baptist Indian Center. Later, she was employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Choctaw Agency. Karen also held various positions within the Choctaw Tribal Government Operations including jobs with the Choctaw Tribal Schools, Choctaw Social Services, Choctaw Housing Authority, Choctaw Attorney General's Office, and the Realty Program where she handled converting the Tribe's land acquisitions into trust with the Department of the Interior.

During her tenure of service to the tribe, she served on the Grievance Committee, as a Choctaw translator in judiciary settings for tribal members, and on the Choctaw Boxing Commission. Karen was a devout advocate for tribal members and was instrumental in helping to protect the Tribe's sovereignty in her various capacities.

She was known for her belief in service to her community, service to her fellow man and family, and she will always be remembered for her love of the Pearl River Community and her church, Pearl River Baptist Church.

Her legacy of service and love for others lives on through the lives of those she cared for, including her daughter Cheriena Ben and her two sons, Ira Ben and Chief Cyrus Ben. I am thankful for the opportunity to remember the life and legacy of Karen Henry Ben.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize W. Harvey and Karen Yoder on the joyous occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary, which they will celebrate on June 12, 2026. Their lives together stand as a remarkable testimony of faith, family, service, hard work, and commitment to their community.

Harvey's family moved from Michigan to Mississippi in July of 1972, while Karen's family relocated from Oklahoma to Mississippi in May of 1973. The two first met in the summer of 1973 at Harvey's parents' home, when their families gathered together for Sunday lunch. Their friendship blossomed into a courtship in 1974, and they were united in marriage on June 12, 1976.

Throughout their marriage, Harvey and Karen have remained deeply rooted in their faith and church community. They attended Mashulaville Indian Mennonite Chapel in Mashulaville, Mississippi, later renamed Noxubee Mennonite Church. In May of 1976, just weeks before their wedding, the congregation moved to its current location near Macon, Mississippi, where it would later become known as Cornerstone Community Church.

In 1975, Harvey founded Macon Cabinet Co., Inc., a custom cabinet business that became well known throughout the community for quality craftsmanship and dedicated service. Karen faithfully managed the office operations while also caring for their growing family. In recognition of his outstanding business leadership and contribution to the local economy, Harvey was honored with the Noxubee County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award in 2001. Later that year, he closed the business and began working at New Horne Hardware, where he faithfully served until his retirement.

In addition to his work in business, Harvey answered a call to ministry in 2000 and began preaching at Nanih Waiya Indian Mennonite Church in Preston, Mississippi. Harvey and Karen faithfully served there in a ministry capacity until 2012. Since 2013, they have attended Way of the Cross Chapel.

Karen devoted many years to homeschooling their children and investing in their education and spiritual upbringing. After their youngest child graduated in 2008, Karen and their youngest son, Jeremy, entered nursing school together. Karen graduated in December 2011 and passed her nursing board in 2012, fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.

Together, Harvey and Karen have built a loving legacy through their family. They are the proud parents of four children: Matthew, Ruth, Justin, and Jeremy. They have been blessed with eighteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, whose lives continue to reflect the faith, love, and values instilled by Harvey and Karen throughout the years.

As Harvey and Karen celebrate fifty years of marriage, we recognize not only the enduring strength of their union, but also their example of service to God, devotion to family, and commitment to their community.

Their story is one that brings pride to our state and reminds us all of the lasting impact that faithful families have on our communities.

May they be blessed with many more years of joy, health, and cherished memories together, and may their example continue to inspire the people of Mississippi for generations to come.