Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 35, legislation named after Agent Raul Gonzalez, a 38-year-old father of two, who lost his life in an ATV accident on December 7, 2022, as he was attempting to apprehend a group of immigrants who had entered the country illegally.

This legislation not only honors the sacrifice of Agent Gonzalez, but it reinforces Republican support to secure our border.

This legislation helps fulfill the promise that President Trump made to the American people to protect those who protect each of us. This legislation will protect American communities by imposing criminal penalties on people who evade U.S. Border Patrol agents or other law enforcement agents at our border.

This legislation will also help protect the brave men and women who enforce our border, those who risk their lives for the mission of keeping us safe and providing a secure border for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to work alongside President Trump to make our country safe for all American citizens. I am proud to support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to please vote ``yes'' on H.R. 35.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of small-town business owners and the impact they have on local communities and to honor the Griffin family and their locally run grocery store in Decatur, Mississippi.

In January 1975, Buner Lee Griffin and his family opened a full- service grocery store and named it Big G Grocery. For fifty years Big G Grocery has served the Decatur community with fresh meat and produce through hardships like hurricanes, ice storms, power outages, and the COVID pandemic. Big G Grocery continues to work with the local communities through partnerships with churches and neighboring school districts. By supporting community projects such as food pantries and sporting events, the owners and operators of Big G Grocery have had a massive impact on their local community.

Today, David Griffin keeps the Big G Grocery tradition of service alive. He fills in wherever he is needed and can be found working the cash register, cooking in the deli, or decorating a cake. His dedication ensures continued service for many years to come. I am proud to represent Big G Grocery in my Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Reedia Faye Minshew of Carthage, Mississippi. Mrs. Reedia Faye Minshew was a beloved mother, grandmother, neighbor, and friend and she will be greatly missed. Mrs. Reedia, affectionately known as `Mamaw', was well known for her faithful presence at Cabin No. 1 at the Neshoba County Fair. Since 1889, the Neshoba County Fair has been a staple of Mississippi history. The Gardner family, from Dixon, Mississippi--just up the road from the fairgrounds--were among the first attendees of the Neshoba County Fair. Mrs. Minshew's father had eight siblings who all grew up going to the fair, and Reedia attended every single Neshoba County Fair throughout her lifetime.

While her legacy of attending the Neshoba County Fair and her family's history at Cabin No. 1 are known, Mrs. Reedia was also an athlete and entrepreneur. Mrs. Reedia owned and operated the Shoe Rack in Carthage, Mississippi, and in her retirement taught a karate class. She is survived by her children and grandchildren. I am honored to have met her and to remember her legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Otha Dill ``O.D.'' Jackson. O.D. Jackson passed away on October 26, 2024, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, at 99 years old. He left behind a legacy filled with sacrifice and service to his country, state, and community, a legacy that all Americans should strive to leave behind.

O.D. was a devout Christian and member of First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Mississippi. He served as a ruling elder for many years and was a longtime member of the choir. The members of First Presbyterian Church were well served and blessed under O.D.'s leadership.

At eighteen years old, O.D. answered the call and volunteered to enlist in the army on June 29, 1943. O.D. with 10,000 soldiers and 1,000 nurses arrived in New Guinea where he was sent to the Admiralty Islands as a rifleman and truck driver. While there, O.D. participated in the invasion of Leyte and Luzon. Later in the Battle of Manila, O.D. was injured by a Japanese sniper and discharged later that year.

O.D.'s service to his country and community continued when he returned to Mississippi. O.D. graduated from the School of Animal Husbandry at Mississippi State University despite lacking a high school diploma. O.D. taught at various schools making a difference in many students' lives.

O.D. held many community leadership positions. He helped form the Neshoba County Republican Party and sat as its chairman for four years. He was as a member of the Mississippi Republican Party State Executive Committee and served as a delegate to four Mississippi Republican State Conventions.

Mr. Speaker. I am thankful for the opportunity to memorialize the life and legacy of Otha Dill Jackson. O.D. made an impact on the lives of his community, state, and country. His impact will have a lasting effect on generations to come. His passing will be felt by many.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Colonel Robert R. ``Bart'' Bartran, III. COL Bartran is a fellow Mississippian who has dedicated his life to serving our country and the great state of Mississippi.

COL Bartran was appointed as the Director of the Counterdrug Program for the Mississippi National Guard (MNG) in August of 2021, where he also served as the Commandant of the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy (RCTA) on Naval Air Station Meridian. He relinquished the responsibilities as Commandant of the RCTA in December of 2023 but continues to serve as the Counterdrug Coordinator (CDC) for the MNG to this date. In these roles, COL Bartran has led with distinction the critical counterdrug training program for the National Guard and Federal, state, and local law enforcement across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee.

COL Bartran graduated from West Jones High School in 1988 and attended Jones County Junior College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi. He then completed his Master's Degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. COL Bartran valued continuing education and graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer Training Academy in Jackson, Mississippi.

Prior to being selected for the Active Guard and Reserve Program, COL Bartran was a police officer with the City of Ridgeland Police Department and the City of Laurel Police Department. His civilian law enforcement career

that spanned nearly a decade culminated with service as the Senior Narcotics Agent for the Jones County Sheriff's Department in Laurel, Mississippi.

COL Bartran entered the service on September 17, 1988, as a Private assigned to Service Battery, 3rd/83rd Field Artillery in the United States Army Reserves in Laurel, Mississippi. In August of 1991 he transferred to the 2/112th Armored Brigade in the Texas National Guard with duty in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1993, COL Bartran transferred back to the Great State of Mississippi and became a member of the National Guard. Assigned to the 184th Transportation Brigade, shortly followed by movement into the 112 Military Police Battalion, COL Bartran pursued his dream of becoming a Military Police Officer. On January 26, 1995, he graduated from Federal Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was commissioned into the Mississippi Army National Guard as a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.

In February of 1995, COL Bartran attended Military Police Officer Basic Course and was assigned to the 113th Military Police Company. For the next 8 years, COL Bartran would serve in multiple Military Police Officer positions to include Platoon Leader, Detachment Commander, and Company Commander of the 114th Military Police Company where he would deploy twice back-to-back in that capacity. The culminating event as a Military Police Officer for COL Bartran was in August of 2018 when he was selected as the Battalion Commander for the 112th Military Police Battalion in Canton, Mississippi, and served honorably in that position until February of 2021.

Upon his return from the second deployment, COL Bartran would take on a series of Staff Positions serving as a Maintenance Officer, Personnel Officer, Training Officer, Operations Officer, Plans Officer, Executive Officer, and then a Deputy Commander before being appointed as the Deputy Inspector General for the Mississippi National Guard. The majority of the aforementioned positions were performed in a full-time status after being hired into the Active Guard and Reserve System in April of 2004. COL Bartran has served at every echelon in the state from the platoon level all the way up to the State Headquarters Primary/Special Staff and a Brigade Command Equivalent.

COL Bartran's Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal with Numeral 2, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass Device and M Device and Numeral 5, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 4, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon with Numeral 2, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (International Security and Assistance Forces), Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Superior Unit Award, Mississippi Magnolia Cross, Mississippi Magnolia Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Mississippi Commendation Medal, Mississippi War Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Mississippi Counterdrug Service Medal, Mississippi Service School Medal, Mississippi Longevity Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, Inspector General's Badge, and the coveted Air Assault Badge. Additionally, to COL Bartran's credit are five deployments over the course of his 35- year career, taking him overseas to Germany, Cuba, and multiple tours in Afghanistan.

I am thankful for Colonel Bartran's exceptional service to our country and the state of Mississippi, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember a Mississippian whose infectious personality and energetic spirit will always be remembered by those who knew him. James ``Jim'' William Elliott, Jr. from Brookhaven, Mississippi, lived the embodiment of the American Dream. He loved God, family, and cheering for his favorite sports teams: the Ole Miss Rebels, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Braves. Jim was generous with his time and found his greatest joy in connecting with others. No matter how busy life was, Jim was there to lend a listening ear and take time to enjoy family.

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1931, Jim graduated from Central High School in 1949. After graduation, he attended the University of Mississippi where he excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order, president of the Cardinal Club, president of the School of Liberal Arts, and a Cadet Colonel of the Air R.O.T.C.

Jim served his country for two years in the United States Air Force as 1st Lieutenant and a legal officer. His time in the Air Force taught him the value of serving his country and what it means to uphold life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jim attended law school at the University of Mississippi and obtained his LLB degree. His academic achievements earned him president of his senior class while in law school, and his job as assistant to the Business Manager of Athletics encouraged his love of sports.

As an outdoorsman, Jim took his love for sports to the field. From hunting and fishing to playing tennis, Jim enjoyed all sorts of sports. Of all the sports, Jim loved tennis best. He was known across Brookhaven for his willingness to teach young students how to play tennis. His children and grandchildren also received hands-on instruction from Jim on the sport. As a hunter, Jim received the Ducks Unlimited Award in 1987 for his contributions to waterfowl conservation.

The great outdoors gave Jim a deep love for the Lord and his creation. Jim was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven. While a member, he jumped at opportunities to serve and give back to the Lord. He served as a deacon, chairman of the deaconate, Sunday school teacher, president of the Men of the church, and served as an advisor to the Senior High Fellowship. The time he spent both outside and in service to the church was with deep purpose and conviction.

Jim was a devoted family man who loved God above all. His legacy of service will live on throughout the communities that he impacted. He never shied away from meeting with people and setting an example of how to love others well. Jim was always generous with his time and presence to those who knew him. I know that he is missed by his family and community. I am honored for a chance to remember a lifelong Mississippian who loved his community and invested in those around him. I hope people across the Third District of Mississippi will see the value in serving the community around them as Jim did. I am thankful to serve a district that is home to people like James ``Jim'' William Elliott, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. John DeFoore, Sr. At 105 years old, Mr. DeFoore is one of the oldest living graduates of Mississippi College. Born on June 12, 1919, Mr. DeFoore left his home at 17 years old to work with a construction crew. When he finished high school, Mr. DeFoore hitchhiked to Clinton, Mississippi, to enroll at Mississippi College. Mr. DeFoore knew the importance of gaining a good education and thought the best place would be Mississippi College. While at Mississippi College, Mr. Defoore milked cows to pay for his room and tuition. Mr. DeFoore was an atheist when he entered Mississippi College, but he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior while a student and became an ordained Baptist minister in 1941.

While in college, Mr. DeFoore joined a National Guard band to keep up his musical skills and gain a school scholarship. Shortly after, the band was inducted into the federal service, and Mr. DeFoore was sent for one-year training at Camp Landing, Florida. What started out as a one-year training turned into seven years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Mr. DeFoore was promoted from Private-First Class to Second Lieutenant during his service and received the Bronze Cross for service ``above and beyond'' during an amphibious landing on Morotai Island, Indonesia.

After his service, Mr. DeFoore returned to Mississippi College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1947. Mr. Defoore went on to earn his Master of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Since graduating, Mr. DeFoore has continued to invest both in his alma mater, Mississippi College, and in Mississippi. His family still lives in the state, but Mr. DeFoore has retired to Texas.

I am proud to recognize Mr. John DeFoore, Sr. and his service to our country. Stories like Mr. DeFoore's remind us of the value of the American Dream, the significance of living a life of one's calling, and leaving a legacy of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Tom Troxler for his 32 years of service to Rankin First Economic Development Authority and congratulate him on his retirement. Tom has put decades of his time, energy, and resources into Rankin First, making it a key component for economic development across the region and state. Tom has identified and capitalized on many economic development opportunities over the years that have improved Rankin County and the entire state of Mississippi.

Tom's legacy of promoting economic development and improving the lives of his fellow Mississippians will benefit us for decades to come. I am thankful for the opportunity to recognize Tom and his work for our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mannsdale Upper Elementary School for its National Blue Ribbon School distinction. Since 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized schools for academic achievements and efforts to close the educational gap within communities. The program aims to showcase schools that demonstrate the importance of ensuring all students can achieve high academic standards. This award is among the highest national honors given to schools across the United States. This year, only 256 schools received recognition, and Mannsdale Upper Elementary is among the top schools, not only in Mississippi but also nationwide. I am proud to see Mannsdale Upper Elementary honored with this prestigious award.

I want to thank Dr. Nicole Cockrell, Principal of Mannsdale Upper Elementary, Assistant Principal Mrs. Holly Jones, and Madison County School District Superintendent Ted Poore for their dedicated work in fostering such a high-achieving learning environment.

I extend my gratitude to the teachers and leaders in Madison County and across Mississippi for their unwavering and selfless dedication to helping students learn, grow, and strive for continuous improvement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9459, the Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act. I am grateful to my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee for advancing this bipartisan piece of legislation that I am proud to lead with my friend from Maryland, Congressman Glenn Ivey.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Homeland Security has a constantly evolving mission, and to meet these needs, the Department was previously granted authority to enter into other transactional agreements, or OTAs. These legally binding agreements allow the Department to engage with nontraditional contractors that would not normally do business with the Federal Government.

This authority allows the Department of Homeland Security to operate quickly and more efficiently. These agreements have allowed entities to produce prototypes of nonintrusive inspection technology that can detect illicit materials hidden inside vehicles crossing the border and has researched machine learning practices to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The usefulness of this authority has been demonstrated in my home State of Mississippi, as The University of Southern Mississippi was part of a project to develop sensors for unmanned vehicles used by both DHS and the United States Coast Guard.

It is critical that we pass this legislation before the authority expires on September 30.

This bill served as a companion to Senator Peters' Senate bill, which passed unanimously out of markup in the Senate in April of this year. It would extend the Department's OTA authority by 3 years to 2027.

Mr. Speaker, I am also glad to say that this bill provides additional accountability and places guardrails on the current program.

It would require advanced notification to Congress should the authority be used in any advancement of artificial intelligence technology.

It would amend the DHS Contract Reporting Act of 2021 to ensure greater--once again, greater--transparency by reducing the amount of a contract to be reported on the DHS website from $4 million to $1 million.

Again, I thank Mr. Ivey for his leadership on this important legislation, and I appreciate Chairman Green and the committee staff for their work on this timely and relevant issue.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize fellow Mississippian Jackie Reed for his extraordinary accomplishment of winning the National Truck Driving Championships last month in Indianapolis. Jackie, from Collinsville, Mississippi, was named the Bendix Grand Champion at the 2024 Truck Driving and Step Van Championships. As we celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week this week, I am honored to have the chance to recognize Jackie Reed.

Jackie has over 30 years of professional truck driving experience for FedEx and has driven more than 3 million miles without an accident. For the third time, Jackie qualified for the National Truck Driving Championships by winning the state title at the Mississippi Truck Driving Championships.

I am proud of Jackie Reed's much-deserved recognition as the 2024 Grand Champion of the 87th National Truck Driving Championships. Jackie's record proves that he has had a career of excellence, and I am grateful for his expertise in this vital profession.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Major General Bobby M. Ginn, Jr. on his new role as the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard.

Major General Bobby Ginn was appointed by Governor Tate Reeves on August 1, 2024. From Tylertown, Mississippi, Major General Bobby Ginn has a long history of military tradition. His grandfather served in WWI, and his father served in WWII, both mobilizing through Camp Shelby, Mississippi--the very same military post that Major General Ginn commanded from July 2017 through November 2020.

Ginn has over 34 years of service in the Armed Forces. He started his career in 1990 as an enlisted soldier and was commissioned as a Logistics Officer in 1993 through Officer Candidate School. He became a Supply Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 114th Area Support Group, and then was assigned as a platoon leader in 1994 of the 367th Maintenance Company--a unit he later commanded. Ginn has completed many critical assignments, including playing a vital role in the response effort after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He answered the call in 2007-2008 when he was deployed overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2017, he was appointed commander at Camp Shelby and, most recently, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. Ginn earned a B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College.

Major General Ginn is a decorated officer having earned the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and many other commendations.

I am proud of his appointment as the new Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard. His service both to our Nation and the State of Mississippi are well recognized, and I am thankful for his leadership. Major General Bobby Ginn is a true American patriot.

Madam 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. 1516.

Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Today, I rise in support of Congressman Pfluger's bill, H.R. 1516, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act.

We all know that the Chinese Communist Party will stop at nothing to undermine the United States and our allies as they attempt to reshape the world order. Proving this point is the extent the CCP is willing to go to expand its intelligence and influence apparatus.

In the past 2 years, we have seen the CCP fly a spy balloon across the continental United States. We have seen troves of data collected from CCP-aligned mobile applications. Also, recently, we have learned of an aide to the Governor of New York who acted covertly with her husband to advance the agenda of the CCP within the New York State capital.

One of our Nation's most glaring vulnerabilities is the CCP's attempt to influence our Nation's educational system. It should concern every American that billions of dollars from the CCP are flowing into our K- 12 classrooms and institutions of higher education.

Originally established to promote Chinese language and culture, Confucius Institutes have increasingly come under scrutiny for their ability to influence and control the narrative around critical issues affecting our Nation's interests. These organizations have helped the CCP advance their strategic goals and gain valuable intelligence on the United States.

Congress has taken steps to address this issue, but more remains to be done. The legislation that we are here to debate today is a critical step in stopping the CCP's reach into the American educational system by prohibiting DHS dollars from going to institutes of higher education if these institutes maintain a relationship with a Confucius Institute or a Chinese entity of concern.

H.R. 1516 is delivering on our promise to the American people that House Republicans will do everything in our power to counter the growing threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party. This bill protects American values by safeguarding our institutions, promoting transparency, and ensuring our academic environment remains a space for free and independent thought.

I also thank Congressman Pfluger for his work on this legislation, and I look forward to today's debate and encourage all my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), my good friend.

Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).

Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Steel).

Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse).

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

Mr. Chair, today, we heard varying opinions on what our Nation must do to secure our universities from the CCP's malign influence. H.R. 1516 is one of the strongest bills the House has considered to counter the threats posed by the CCP on our educational system.

This legislation safeguards taxpayers' hard-earned dollars from going to our Nation's top adversary. It undermines the CCP's influence apparatus that has been used to sway public opinion and protects the critical research and development taking place at our universities across the country.

To those who claim that this bill will do more harm than good or that this bill is overly broad, I disagree with those assertions and argue that this bill instead sends a clear message to the CCP that their interference will not be tolerated on our college campuses.

I hope that we have a strong bipartisan vote today to demonstrate that we can work together in addressing threats from America's greatest adversary.

Mr. Chair, I thank Congressman Pfluger for offering this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, even though I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, as we look to the basis of the amendment, we see that this amendment deals with election interference, something that I believe both parties share concerns about.

We know that in less than 60 days people from across this great land will go to the polls, and they will select our next President. They will determine which party controls the majority here in this Chamber as well as which party controls the majority in the United States Senate.

I have great concerns that China and our other adversaries across the globe will use this opportunity to try to sow dissent among the American public, that they will try to pit Americans versus Americans on their disinformation platform, that they will be pushing across traditional and across more than not social media.

I believe that this is why it is so important that we do everything within our power to protect our election integrity, whether it be to stop the influence of China, Russia, Iran, any of our adversaries, but also to do what we can to protect our election by ensuring that only United States citizens vote in our election.

We know that many of our municipalities and some of our States have opened up elections, both on State and, many times, on municipal levels, to allowing non-United States citizens to vote in those elections. That is why I support the effort of Speaker Johnson to attach the SAVE Act to a continuing resolution, to make sure that those individuals show proof of citizenship when they register.

Mr. Chair, I support the basis of this amendment. I support election integrity. I support us doing all that we can to ensure that those who are voting actually should be allowed to vote. However, I support the basis of this amendment, which stands for the principle that our foreign adversaries, particularly those such as, in this case, China, be prevented from interfering in our elections.

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

Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize ``Nashville's nu- metal king,'' Hardy, from my home state of Mississippi. Hardy was born in Meridian and grew up in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where he attended Neshoba Central High School. Born on September 13, 1990, to Mike and Sarah Hardy, Hardy started playing guitar around age 13. When he was in high school, he took pen to paper to write his first song to,``Impress a Girl.'' His song writing skills gave him an opportunity to move to Nashville in 2010. While in Nashville, Hardy penned the words to the well-known country song made famous by Blake Shelton called, ``God's Country.'' in 2013, Hardy landed a publishing deal with Relative Music Group. Hardy is the pride of Philadelphia, Mississippi, and has earned his reputation as ``a promising purveyor of keeping the spirit of classic heavy Southern rock alive,'' according to American Songwriter. He is a five-time ACM award winner and two-time CMA award winner. In 2022 he was named the BMI Country Songwriter of the Year.

Music has always been the heartbeat of Mississippi, and I am proud to see Hardy soaring to the top like other Mississippians have done before him. I thank Hardy, for his dedication to the art of music and contributions to our great Nation through song writing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Meridian High School basketball team and Coach Ron Norman on the exceptional achievement of winning the 2024 MHSAA 7A Basketball State Championship. This championship is a result of the team's incredible work ethic and determination throughout this season.

The 2024 MHSAA 7A championship is the team's first championship since 2017 and is a testament to what can be accomplished when a group of individuals come together as a team. During this season, these young men were put to the test against tenacious opponents, and they did not waver. In the end,

their spectacular efforts culminated in a prized championship victory.

I would also like to offer my congratulations to Coach Ron Norman for winning his second state title during his tenure at Meridian High School, as well as to his staff for such a successful season. These coaches have been excellent leaders for these young athletes throughout the season and have set them up for great future successes. The young men on this team are great examples to their classmates and community of what can be achieved through working together towards a common goal. We look forward to seeing what all of these exceptional young men achieve in the future.

Again, I would like to extend my congratulations to the Meridian High School basketball team for their state championship victory.