Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding men and women of the United States Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308, proudly headquartered in Pascagoula, Mississippi, for receiving the Rear Admiral Bennett ``Bud'' Sparks Award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon the Coast Guard Reserve unit.

This prestigious award recognizes excellence and operational readiness, reserve integration, and mission performance. PSU 308 has more than earned this distinction.

Over the past year, these citizen servicemembers supported critical missions across the Indo-Pacific, became the first Coast Guard Reserve unit to execute back-to-back embarked security deployments aboard Military Sealift Command vessels, and deployed within 48 hours to help secure our Nation's southern maritime border during Operation River Wall.

They also conducted hundreds of patrols while maintaining an excellent reserve readiness rate of nearly 97 percent.

These achievements reflect the professionalism, discipline, and unwavering commitment of the men and women who balance civilian careers with answering our Nation's call whenever duty requires.

As chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I know firsthand the vital role that our Coast Guard plays in protecting America's maritime interests. The members of PSU 308 embody the Coast Guard motto of semper paratus, always ready.

To the servicemembers of Port Security Unit 308 and their families, I thank them for their sacrifice, their dedication, and their faithful service to our Nation. Mississippi is proud of them, and so is the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary bravery of a group of middle school students from Hancock County, Mississippi, who stepped up in a moment of crisis and prevented what could have been a tragic accident.

When their school bus driver suffered a medical emergency and lost consciousness, these young students did not panic--they acted. Sixth graders Jackson Casnave and Darrius Clark helped take control of the school bus, easing the bus to a safe stop, while eighth graders Kayleigh Clark and Destiny Cornelius, and sixth grader McKenzy Finch, worked together to call for help and administer lifesaving medicine to their bus driver.

Because of their quick thinking and teamwork, nearly 40 students and their driver were protected from tragedy. That kind of courage and composure is remarkable at any age--but especially from students so young. They did not wait for someone else to act. They stepped up, took responsibility, and made a difference. These students represent the very best of Mississippi--strong character, leadership, and a willingness to help others in a moment of need.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these young heroes for their actions. They make our state proud, and they remind us all that courage knows no age.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an incredible accomplishment by one of our own from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Pascagoula Police Chief Terry Scott, Jr.

At 60 years old, Terry made history by becoming the oldest heavyweight boxer to win a professional, sanctioned fight, earning a world record in the process. That is an extraordinary achievement and a testament to his grit, discipline, and perseverance.

Success like this doesn't come easy. It takes years of hard work, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to your craft. Terry Scott, Jr., has shown what it means to stay focused, push through challenges, and defy expectations.

His story is a reminder that determination has no age limit and that it is never too late to chase and achieve something remarkable.

South Mississippi is proud of Terry, and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating him on this historic accomplishment and wishing him continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kevin Daugherty of Vancleave, Mississippi, who passed away on April 8, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Kevin was a devoted husband, father, and man of faith, as well as a dedicated public servant. He served the city of Pascagoula for nearly 20 years as a lieutenant with the fire department and continued his service with Jackson County Fire District, always answering the call to protect his community.

Those who knew Kevin knew a man who loved his family deeply, cherished time with his wife and sons, and never met a stranger.

Whether at the firehouse, on the water, or in the woods, Kevin brought people together and lived a life rooted in faith and service. He was especially proud of his sons, Cole and Logan, and the time they spent together meant everything to him.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and his sons, Cole and Logan. Our prayers are with them during this very difficult time.

Kevin Daugherty represented the very best of south Mississippi: a life of service, strength, and love for others. He will not be forgotten.

Rest in peace, brother.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Michael Leroy Jimerson of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on April 2, 2026.

Deputy Jimerson made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community. He put others before himself, living out the oath he took with courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to protect those around him.

Mike served his community for 16 years with the Sheriff's Department, beginning as a volunteer before becoming a deputy. He answered the call to serve not because he had to, but because he believed in it.

He was a devoted husband to his high school sweetheart, Sheila, a proud father, and a loving grandfather. To his family, he was a protector and a steady presence. To his community, he was someone people could depend on.

This loss of the deputy is deeply felt across south Mississippi. As a former sheriff of this same organization, I know the risks that come with the badge and the kind of character it takes to wear it every day.

We honor his memory, we pray for his family, and we stand with the men and women who have come to serve.

Mike, you will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, brother.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a special accomplishment by someone connected to my office--Ben Fahrmann, the brother of my Director of Operations, Olivia Fahrmann--on his graduation from the police academy on April 9, 2026.

Ben is returning to serve as a Patrol Officer with the Gulf Shores Police Department after previously serving as a detention officer. This is not just a career move, it's a calling. It takes dedication, commitment, and a strong work ethic to answer that call, and Ben has demonstrated all of those qualities. He is also known for being kind and caring, traits that are just as important in law enforcement as strength and discipline.

As a former law enforcement officer myself, I know the sacrifices that come with wearing the badge. Ben is stepping into a role that demands courage, integrity, and service to others.

We are proud of Ben. I thank him for his service, and may God keep him safe.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation to designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 825 Highway 198 in Beaumont, Mississippi, as the Jeremy Malone Post Office.

Deputy Jeremy Malone was a dedicated law enforcement officer for over 21 years of service to the people of South Mississippi. On January 4, 2024, he was tragically killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop in George County, Mississippi.

As a former law enforcement officer myself, I know the sacrifices that come from wearing a badge. Deputy Malone understood that calling, and he lived every single day serving others, protecting the community, and putting others before himself.

Jeremy Malone was more than a deputy. He was a husband, a father, and a man deeply committed to his community. He volunteered his time to help families and children in need, and he made a lasting impact on the lives of those around him.

He is survived by his wife, Hilary, and their three daughters, and our prayers remain with them.

This designation is a small but meaningful way to ensure that his service, his sacrifice, and his legacy are never forgotten. It will stand as a daily reminder of the bravery of those who serve and the price that is sometimes paid.

Deputy Malone represented the very best of law enforcement in South Mississippi.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and join me in honoring the life of a true American hero.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1131, I call up the bill (H.R. 7084) to amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the types of vessels that may enter or operate in navigable waters of the United States or transfer cargo in any port or place under the jurisdiction of the

United States, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 7084.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026.

This bill provides the President with the authority to effectively address an unlawful taking of a United States citizen-owned port, harbor, or marine terminal by another government in the Western Hemisphere.

United States companies operate maritime facilities throughout North and South America. Their investments must be protected.

It is essential that the United States President be able to act quickly and decisively in response to another government expropriating or nationalizing a United States citizen-owned port, harbor, or marine terminal.

This bill establishes a new, narrowly constructed authority for a President to impose a consequence on a foreign government that illegally takes a maritime facility.

Sanctions are an accepted tool used in diplomacy and economic statecraft. The authorities that H.R. 7084 establishes are completely complementary to similar authorities that Congress has already granted the President.

Nothing in this bill precludes or preempts any other option for dispute resolution. It simply gives the President another meaningful, targeted tool that can encourage negotiations and resolution.

The Defending American Property Abroad Act builds on sanctions, legislation previously passed over the past six decades, and provides the President with one or more options in a continuum for protecting overseas American investments.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), the bill's sponsor.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Moore).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. McGuire).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Strong).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer).

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

In closing, passage of H.R. 7084 gives the President the authority to effectively address the illegal taking of a United States citizen-owned port, harbor, or marine terminal throughout the Western Hemisphere.

American companies are the source of more investments in the Western Hemisphere nations than investors from any other country.

Infrastructure projects in the Americas, especially port infrastructure projects, represent significant potential business opportunities for American companies.

Protecting overseas U.S. investments is an important policy objective. This bill creates an appropriate cost and consequence for stealing property from an American-owned business.

The Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026 is consistent with other authorities Congress has given the President to act against the illegal taking of American businesses and investments.

Mr. Speaker, I am a former sheriff from Mississippi. Where I come from, when you take something that doesn't belong to you, that is stealing, and you have broken the law. If you break the law, there are consequences.

This bill ensures there are consequences for foreign countries that steal from our companies. Simply put, this legislation is common sense.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my bill H.R. 2294, the Reauthorization of Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.

This bill ensures the continued operation of the Integrated Ocean Observing System, which is a nationwide network of buoys, radars, underwater gliders, and forecasting models that collect critical ocean and coastal data. These tools help provide real-time information on ocean conditions, weather patterns, coastal hazards, and marine ecosystems.

This information is essential for a wide range of Americans who rely on our oceans and coastlines every single day. It supports commercial fishermen, shipping and maritime operations, offshore energy development, hurricane forecasting, and coastal disaster preparedness. It also helps Federal, State, and local officials make informed decisions to protect both lives and livelihoods along our coasts.

For coastal States like mine, Mississippi, and many others across the country, accurate and timely ocean data is not a luxury. It is a necessity. When hurricanes threaten our shores, when fishermen head out to work, or when communities are preparing for coastal flooding, the data collected through the Integrated Ocean Observing System helps ensure they have the best information available to stay safe and make informed decisions.

My bill simply reauthorizes this important program and strengthens coordination between Federal agencies and regional observing systems so that the data being collected is more accessible and more reliable and more useful for the communities that depend on it.

This is a bipartisan commonsense measure that supports science, strengthens coastal resilience, and ensures we continue to have the tools necessary to understand and respond to changing ocean conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues and Chairman Westerman for helping get this bill on the floor. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2189, the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that modernizes our Federal firearms laws to better align with 21st century technology and the real-world needs of law enforcement officers and the communities they protect.

The bill does something straightforward but important. It creates a new classification for less-than-lethal projectile devices and removes them from outdated regulatory categories that were never designed with today's equipment in mind.

For years, departments across the country have faced unnecessary hurdles acquiring proven less-lethal tools that can make a life-or- death difference in a very high-stress environment.

These tools, such as specialized projectiles intended to deescalate confrontations, have helped officers reduce injuries for themselves and for the public. Yet the lack of clarity in the current law has made procurement difficult and compliance confusing.

H.R. 2189 fixes that, establishing clear, commonsense definitions and regulatory pathways so that our law enforcement professionals can get the equipment that they need without unnecessary delay or confusion. That is not just good policy. That is good public safety sense.

This legislation represents a balanced approach. It upholds our commitment to the rule of law, supports law enforcement safety, and provides additional tools that encourages de-escalation and reduced violence wherever possible.

As a fellow law enforcement officer, I thank Congressman Fitzgerald for leading this valiant effort. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in advancing this forward.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 2189.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career and well-earned retirement of the chief of police for the Biloxi Police Department, John Miller.

A coast native, Chief Miller dedicated more than three decades of his life to protecting the people of Biloxi, Mississippi. He joined the department in 1990 as a patrol officer and quickly distinguished himself through hard work and leadership. Just 5 years later, he was selected for the Special Crimes Unit, where he rose through the ranks of sergeant and lieutenant serving in both the narcotics and criminal investigative units.

In December of 2009, John Miller was named chief of police, a role he carried with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his officers and to the community. His compassion, dedication, and steady leadership were especially evident during one of the most challenging times in the history of the department and the city of Biloxi: Hurricane Katrina.

Chief Miller set a tone for professionalism, resilience, and service that truly exemplifies what it means to be south Mississippi strong.

On behalf of a grateful community, I thank him for his service and wish him and his family the very best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026.

This bipartisan legislation includes the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. This bill supports the efforts of the Coast Guard to protect American waters, interdict drugs, stop human trafficking, promote maritime safety, and save lives at sea.

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes funding for the Coast Guard through fiscal year 2027 and makes critical investments to enable the service to meet its growing mission demands.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the work of Chairman Graves on this legislation, along with Ranking Member Larsen and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member Carbajal.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2293, the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025, which reinstates the Aquaculture Depredation Order for double-crested cormorants. The double-crested cormorant is a nuisance, plain and simple.

A single cormorant can eat up to 1\1/2\ pounds of fish every day. Even the Fish and Wildlife Service has classified them as opportunist and generalist feeders that prey on a wide range of species.

Yet, farmers are still forced to jump through needless hoops to prevent these birds from wiping out their stock. The Aquaculture Depredation Order is nothing new. It is the same commonsense tool that was easily reinstated in 2003, 2009, and 2014.

Aquaculture farmers have been struggling for years with the importation of nondomestic catfish flooding the market. Every year, American catfish farmer communities lose up to $64 million in stock to the cormorants alone.

For far too long, catfish farmers in Mississippi and across the Southeast have been weighed down by burdensome permits and processes created by people too far removed from the realities of everyday, working-class Americans.

It is past time we restore a commonsense approach to this and ensure that our farmers can finally defend their ponds without any Federal red tape in the way.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman, Leader Scalise, the Gulf Coast officials, and numerous Mississippians who have worked hard to bring this bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize an extraordinary public servant from Jones County, Mr. Paul Sheffield, whose career reflects a lifetime of dedication to the safety and well-being of Mississippi families.

Paul began his public service in 1998 with the city of Laurel's traffic maintenance division. By 2001, he was serving as a police officer in the town of Sandersville and soon joined the Jones County Sheriff's Emergency Operation Center, working as a dispatcher, operations officer, reserve deputy, and canine deputy.

In 2005, Paul continued his calling at MEMA as an area coordinator, serving for 11 years in that role. During that time, he and his wife, Traci, whom he married in 1999, welcomed their son, Caleb, through adoption in 2010 and celebrated the birth of their daughter in 2013. His commitment to service grew right alongside his family.

After leaving MEMA in 2016, Paul served with the Emergency Management District of Forrest County. In 2018, he became the executive director of the Jones County Emergency Operations Center. He holds the distinction of Mississippi Certified Emergency Manager and has served as both vice president and president of the Mississippi Civil Defense Emergency Management Agency. Nationally, he is recognized as a certified emergency and disaster professional.

Mr. Sheffield's service also extends into the 911 Coordinators Association and 6 years with the Jones County Coroner's Office, where he continues to serve as deputy medical examiner.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Sheffield's decades of leadership and dedication have strengthened emergency preparedness across our State. Today, I am proud to honor him and his lifetime of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a distinguished public servant from Hancock County, Mississippi, Brian ``Hooty'' Adam, who will retire on December 21, 2025, after more than four decades of serving his community.

Hooty began his career in 1985 as a firefighter, answering the call when his neighbors needed him most. In 2003, he became director of Hancock Emergency Management Agency, a role he has carried with steady leadership for 22 years.

During that time, he guided the county through countless emergencies; destructive storms; and, most notably, the unimaginable challenges of Hurricane Katrina. Through every crisis, Hooty was a source of strength--calm, prepared, and fully committed to protecting the people of Hancock County, Mississippi. His leadership saved lives, strengthened emergency response across our region, and set a standard of service that we should all admire.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Hooty Adam for his extraordinary dedication and in wishing him the very best in his well-earned retirement.