Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, this week we remember the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Known as Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion began on the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, on the southern beaches of France, landing at beaches named ``Utah,'' ``Gold,'' ``Sword,'' ``Juno,'' and ``Omaha.''

Over 4,400 Allied soldiers lost their lives that day. The invasion of France allowed Allied troops to establish a beachhead in Western Europe and would go on to change the course of the second great war.

Many of the courageous men who fought that day have since passed away, but we still have their recorded oral testimonies and letters to loved ones about the role that they played.

Today, I want to read a brief segment of a fellow Mississippian that landed at Normandy shortly after the initial invasion.

Bilbo Rodgers, born in Louisville, Mississippi, said this about his service:

I was unloading the ships there in France, unloading guns,

trucks, and ammunition, food, medical supplies, and all that

in France after I got there, but we were still involved in

battle because they were shooting at us, trying to kill us.

I didn't pull my shoes off in 3 weeks because they didn't

allow you to pull them off because you may have to run at any

time.

We had to sleep in our shoes, and when we were in France,

we slept in foxholes. You dig a hole in the ground about 4

feet, and you get down there, you and your partner. You have

one partner, two people in one foxhole with dirt falling in

your face and all that.

Bilbo Rodgers was one of the countless heroes that placed themselves in harm's way to help America and her Allies defeat Nazi Germany and to protect the liberties and freedoms we still enjoy today. May we always remember the sacrifice of our brave warriors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 100 years of the United States Border Patrol.

What began as a small unit of mounted watchmen has become one of our Nation's most important law enforcement agencies.

The Border Patrol is tasked with protecting the American people, securing our borders, and enhancing our Nation's economic prosperity. The mission has become increasingly more difficult because of the open- door policies enacted by this administration. While I condemn the policies that have led to the border crisis, I continue to stand with the frontline men and women of the United States Border Patrol.

These men and women place themselves in harm's way to stop the flow of illegal immigration and to stop human trafficking and drug trafficking into our country. These officers deserve our thanks, our support, and, most importantly, our prayers.

Mr. Speaker, blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

This week, National Police Week, we thank and reaffirm our support for our peacemakers. This week, we honor those men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty, the brave men and women who serve and protect, who dedicate their lives to defending innocent citizens from those who seek to do evil, and who routinely place themselves in harm's way. They are the heroes we call in our time of need.

President Ronald Reagan once said: ``There can be no more noble vocation than the protection of one's fellow citizens. . . . No single group is more fully committed to the well-being of their fellow Americans and to the faithful discharge of duty than our law enforcement personnel.''

In the performance of their duties, danger is a routine part of their job, and we, on occasion, lose some valiant men and women.

Mr. Speaker, let us never forget those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow man, and let the families of our fallen officers be comforted by the words in the Gospel of John, 15:13: ``Greater love has no man than this, to lay down his life for another.''

May we never forget our heroes and their sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city of Ridgeland in Madison County, Mississippi, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary in 2024.

The land that is now Ridgeland was once only a footpath along the Natchez Trace for the local Choctaw Indians. Over time, the footpath became a common road for travel and commerce. Turner Brashears, an early settler in Mississippi, opened a stand nearby in 1804 after seeing the potential of the area for business. In 1811, Silas Dinsmor opened the Choctaw Agency in the area. Though small and seemingly insignificant at the time, in 1812 Andrew Jackson camped with his army at Brashears Stand returning from New Orleans.

By 1829, Madison County, named after former President James Madison, was established in Mississippi. The growth in the area was recognized and in 1832 William J. Austin was granted land along the Natchez Trace. In 1853, Austin sold the land to James Burroughs from North Carolina. By 1865, the area was called Yellowley's Crossing by the Illinois Central Railroad, which operated there. This changed the old footpath forever.

The local community began to swell with people and the locals started calling the area Jessamine. The old Brashears Stand was destroyed by a fire in 1896 and Yellowley sold his land to the Highland Colony Company owned by Gorton W. Nichols and Edwards M. Treakle. In 1899, the village was incorporated as Ridgeland.

Since its incorporation in 1899, Ridgeland has been a center for trade and travel and offers a vibrant life for its residents. Through many decades of forward-thinking leadership, including that of longtime mayor Gene McGee, Ridgeland has continued to prosper. In 1999, Ridgeland celebrated 100 years and here, in 2024, I am proud to offer these remarks in honor of her 125th anniversary.

Ridgeland has done much through the years to contribute to the betterment of society and I'm proud to represent Ridgeland, Mississippi, in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Mississippi native Dr. Daniel P. Jordan. Dr. Jordan served as the executive director and the President of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in Charlottesville overseeing the historical process and interest of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

As a native Mississippian, he was known for his ``Magnolia Alerts'' which would alert him to any vehicle with a Mississippi license plate. David would personally go to the visitor's center and welcome his fellow Mississippians to Monticello.

He was known as ``the most consequential president on the Mountaintop since Jefferson himself.'' He worked hard to raise money for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and to expand the research capabilities at Monticello. David made the history of Jefferson accessible to everyday Americans through expanding Monticello's programing and growing their audience.

Dr. David Jordan was a frequent visitor to the Neshoba County Fair in Mississippi, even during his long tenure in Virginia. I'm thankful for Dr. Jordan's dedication to the scholarship of history, the years of research into Jefferson's life, and his unwavering commitment to his Mississippi roots.

I will end with some of David's words about President Jefferson. ``We have 200 people trying to keep up with one man--one dead man, and we will never catch him.'' If anyone got close to catching Jefferson, it was Dr. Daniel Jordan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Mississippi State University (MSU) Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) on being recognized as the 2024 Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Year.

Director Mark Scott has worked tirelessly to make the MSU VBOC a place where Veterans are served well. Natalie Rhode, the program director, has also played a key role in the center's success.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center is focused on small business development for Veterans and their spouses. The center was founded in 2015 and covers Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

The Small Business Administration selected the MSU VBOC this year for its successes and unique contributions to the local community.

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. The MSU VBOC is committed to excellence while supporting many local Veterans as they invest in their communities.

This award is a testament to the hard work by the outstanding team on the front lines at the VBOC.

I am thankful to have the opportunity to congratulate the Mississippi State University Veterans Business Outreach Center on the occasion of this award, and I look forward to continuing to work in Congress on behalf of our Veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 206, the END FENTANYL Act. I am a proud sponsor of the House companion bill. I thank my friend, Senator Rick Scott, for leading this bipartisan effort in the United States Senate. I also thank Congressman David Trone for co-leading this legislation in the House.

This bill would require the United States Customs and Border Protection, CBP, to regularly review and update their inspection practices at ports of entry. It would also require them to respond to any new or innovative smuggling methods. This bill would require CBP to brief Congress on new inspection practices. The goal of this bill is to ensure that CBP is employing the most up-to-date methods to interdict and prevent illegal activities, such as the smuggling of deadly narcotics like fentanyl into our country.

As Chairman Green said, this bill was introduced in direct response to a 2019 Government Accountability Office report, which found that CBP's inspection techniques were not uniform across different ports of entry and in some cases found that they were entirely outdated. The GAO report determined: ``Because CBP has not updated many of its policies-- in a few cases for almost 20 years--they do not always reflect changes in technology or processes, such as those for conducting searches and handling fentanyl.''

Mr. Speaker, the END FENTANYL Act will be a valuable tool in our fight against the deadly scourge of fentanyl, which has devastated families and communities across our country. From May of 2022 to May of 2023, the U.S. suffered over 112,000 overdose deaths, with many of those deaths being attributed directly or indirectly to the use of fentanyl. Fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.

As cartels continue to develop new methods to traffic these deadly drugs in the United States, this bill will ensure that CBP responds to any new smuggling techniques in a uniform manner, with the most up-to- date and effective practices.

In closing, this bill will save lives and is a first step to securing our border from those smuggling drugs into our communities. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 206.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for reasons outlined in both Articles of Impeachment, but specifically for Article II, breach of public trust.

Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly testified falsely, misleading Congress and the American people. He has done so by saying that the southwest border is secure and that his department has operational control of the border.

Secretary Mayorkas in his previous appearances before the Committee on Homeland Security has told me personally multiple times, testifying while under oath, that the border is secure.

Time and time again, Secretary Mayorkas has appeared before Congress, both the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and has repeated that the southwest border is secure.

These declarations, Madam Speaker, are patently untrue, and they contradict statements made by both his former Border Patrol Chief, Raul Ortiz, and by the President himself.

President Biden just recently said and admitted that the border was not secure, and he went on to say that the border has not been secure for almost a decade.

Madam Speaker, Secretary Mayorkas' dealings with Congress indicate a lack of transparency and an attempt to mislead the public on the true conditions that exist at the border, and we, as Congress, must now hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable.

This is a grave day in our history, a grave day for this Nation, and not one that we take lightly. However, in light of all the facts, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to impeach Secretary Mayorkas.

Mr. Speaker, I want to push back.

What is happening here is not political theater, as my friends on the other side of the aisle wish to make this.

The Democrats have sought to blame Republicans, saying that our inaction has helped cause this border crisis, but I will tell you that nothing is farther from the truth. Almost a year ago, this body passed H.R. 2, a border security bill, a border security bill that would find a record number of Customs and

Border Patrol agents, a bill which would give raises to those men and women who were there on the front lines trying to secure our border, a bill which would invest in technology to stop the flow of illegal drugs coming across our border, a bill which would have restarted wall construction.

That bill, for almost a year, has sat in the other Chamber, has sat in the Senate, and Mr. Schumer has refused to bring that bill to the floor.

This body also passed the Homeland Security appropriations bill, giving the Department of Homeland Security more money than that Department has ever received. We funded those additional agents. We funded those pay raises. We funded additional detention beds. What has happened to that appropriations bill? It also sits in the Senate waiting for the Senate to take action.

Today, my friends across the aisle seek to hide behind this Senate bill that was crafted behind closed doors, in the cover of darkness, a bill that did not include any input from the House of Representatives, did not include Homeland Security Chair Mark Green or Ranking Member Bennie Thompson from Mississippi. Three Senators out of 100 got behind closed doors for weeks, and they sat down and crafted a bill.

Mr. Speaker, with no input on behalf of the House of Representatives, we are now supposed to adopt that bill before it even passes the Senate.

I want to give you a number, Mr. Speaker. That number is 370,000. That is the number of immigrants who came into our country last month alone. That is not a year; that is not 6 months; that is a single month, 370,000 people, yet our Homeland Security Secretary continues to maintain that the border is secure.

My friends across the aisle seek to blame Republicans for this crisis. I will tell you that their blame is misplaced. If they want to blame someone for what is happening on the southwest border, they need to look in the mirror. They need to look at what their Secretary has done, and they need to look at what their President has done. They can no longer blame Republicans for their failures.

I will close with this, Mr. Speaker. If we are unable to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable for his failures, for his failure to enforce the law, we can hold no one accountable. Secretary Mayorkas must be impeached.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the story of Eitan Levy. Eitan Levy was a cab driver from Bat Yam. On October 7, 2023, Eitan called his son to let him know that he would be dropping off a passenger, and 15 minutes later, he called back again to tell his son about the Hamas attack.

Eitan's son heard him shouting and was told that a drone had landed on his father's car. His son stayed on the phone with his father until terrorists kidnapped him. Eitan was not heard from again.

In December, his family was notified that Eitan had been murdered by Hamas. His body is still being held by Hamas in Gaza to this day.

I stand here today to demand that Hamas release the body of Eitan, that it be released immediately to his family, as well as to release all remaining hostages. We must stand with Israel as it works to destroy Hamas and free its citizens wrongly held by the terrorist group.

It is time to bring Eitan's body home. It is time to bring them all home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Mrs. Kay Pace of Madison County, Mississippi. Mrs. Kay Pace made history as the first and only female elected to the position of Madison County Tax Collector. Throughout her 36 years of serving Madison County, 22 of them were as Tax Collector.

Born and raised in Madison County, Kay has always sought to give back to her community. One of the biggest ways she gave back

as Tax Collector was to research and implement Mississippi's first fully automated online county tax sales and online payments. Leading the charge in Madison County, Kay opened the door for easier ways of paying taxes and supporting the local community.

Kay is a member of the former First Methodist Church of Canton, now called First Church of Canton. Kay was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson where she sang in the choir. Church has been an important part of Kay's life and service to Madison County outside of her job as Tax Collector.

Another way of service has been through her leadership in the Madison County Republican Women. Kay has served in various roles in the organization, including as President and as an officer.

While politics is an important role in her life, Kay also served the Jackson Symphony League as co-chair for Sub Debs. Additionally, she served in other clubs and organizations over the past 30 years throughout Madison, Jackson, and other local communities. She also has been a member of the Madison County League and Foundation.

While Madison County is her home and her lifelong place of service, Kay says her most important relationships are her family. Kay was married to the late W. K. Pace, Jr. for 40 years. Kay is the mother of four children and the proud grandmother of twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Kay is retiring from her role as Tax Collector and is looking forward to spending more time with her family. I am thankful for all the service Kay Pace has given to Madison County through the years. I wish her well in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, the story of the birth of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of Luke:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a

decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be

taxed.

And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of

Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is

called Bethlehem; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,

being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were

accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in

swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there

was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the

field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the

glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore

afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I

bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all

people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a

savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of May Lafrance Bender. May was born in Newton, Mississippi, in 1970. She attended high school in Hickory, Mississippi, and graduated in 1988. May worked several jobs around the community after graduation. In 1995, May married Zoaton Bender, and they have now been married for 29 years. Together they have two children: Zaheim and Zamarion.

The same year she married Zoaton, May began working at the Newton County Tax Collector's office, learning how the office worked, and serving the people of Newton County. In 2011, May decided to run for the office of Tax Collector and won, and she served Newton County for three consecutive terms. Each day in the office was a new day to learn something and strive to make Newton County a better place for everyone who came into the Tax Collector's office.

I am thankful for the 29 years of service May Bender has given to the citizens of Newton County and wish her all the best in her future pursuits.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the twenty-eight years of service to Lauderdale County, Mississippi, from Sheriff William D. `Billy' Sollie. Born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi, Billy graduated from Meridian High School in 1973. After his graduation, he entered law enforcement in June of 1974. On March 28, 1975, Billy graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy and started his duties serving in and around Meridian, Mississippi.

His service to the community was recognized in 1982 when he was promoted to Patrolman II in January of that year and then in June to Detective. His work extended to the schools in the community when he was assigned and trained as the first D.A.R.E. Officer in the City of Meridian.

Through the years, Billy was promoted to Lieutenant, Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief, and he retired in 1994 as the Chief of Police. Upon his retirement from the police force, Billy served as the Security Coordinator for Meridian Public School system. In 1995, Billy won the race for Sheriff of Lauderdale County.

After becoming Sheriff, Billy served as the Second Vice President, First Vice President, and President of the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association and is currently commissioned by Governor Tate Reeves as a member of the State Jail Standards and Training Board.

Billy has been a fixture of the Lauderdale County community serving in various capacities, on boards, and in volunteer roles throughout his time as Sheriff. I am proud to recognize Billy's career of service and dedication to the Meridian and Lauderdale County community, and I wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Daniel Cross, a resident of Rankin County and a dedicated public servant of the State of Mississippi for over 30 years. Beginning as a volunteer firefighter while still in high school, Daniel has dedicated his entire life to the service and protection of others. His valuable leadership, academic, and personal skills obtained as a graduate of Northwest Rankin High School, the University of Memphis, and the National Fire Academy not only launched him into a career as a professional firefighter with the Reservoir Fire Department, but also propelled him in advancement within the fire service to senior fire instructor, instructor chief, and deputy director of the Mississippi Fire Academy.

Concurrent with Daniel's distinguished fire service career, he also trained and served as a reserve deputy for the Rankin County Sheriff's Department and was elected to the Rankin County Board of Supervisors, ably serving Rankin County for 8 years. Some examples of Daniel's contributions to the fine service include his long tenure on the Mississippi Minimum Fire Standards and Certification Board, his leadership on the Mississippi state response team during Hurricane Katrina, his design and development of the curriculum for the Mississippi Executive Fire Officer Program, and his role as chief architect of the Mississippi Fire Academy Emergency Medical Technician Training Program.

Daniel is a member of Pinelake Baptist Church and devotes all his spare time to little league coaching and to his beloved wife, Julie, and their two sons, Layne and Clayton. I thank God for public servants like Daniel Cross and am honored to recognize him upon his retirement after thirty years of unselfish and immensely meaningful public service to others. I wish him much success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Rebecca ``Becky'' Boyd. Becky has dedicated her life to the citizens of Rankin County through her 32 years of service. Having served three consecutive terms as Rankin County's Circuit Clerk, she will officially retire on December 29, 2023.

Born in Louisiana, Becky learned the value of hard work at an early age as sales representative at Morgan & Lindsey. She graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in Business Education. While in college she met Bill Boyd, and they married in 1973.

Together Bill and Becky had three sons: BJ, Randy, and Buddy. Raising her family was important to Becky, and she spent many years navigating motherhood and her career. Becky spent her early motherhood years teaching GED classes to adults who desired to continue their education after dropping out of high school. Her passion was to see students pursue their dreams, regardless of their backgrounds.

In 1987, Becky and Bill moved to Rankin County, Mississippi. There, Becky was introduced to the Circuit Clerk, Phillip Warren, who was looking for an assistant to help with the Census. Becky started her job ``literally on the ground floor'' by reading Census maps with a magnifying glass.

Due to her dedication and hard work, Becky was hired full-time after the Census to work in the Circuit Clerk's office. She assisted in all aspects of the office and learned the ins-and-outs of how the office operated. She said the best part about her job assisting the Circuit Clerk was knowing she helped people each day.

Becky was elected to the position herself and made her mark on the County by working to modernize the office's technology and equipment. Her commitment to the people of Rankin County has been shown throughout her years of dedicated service. I am proud to honor her faithful work today and remind Rankin County of Becky's famous advice to find someone to help every day.