Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Robert Bartran for his remarkable 36 years of dedicated service to the Mississippi Army National Guard.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Colonel Bartran has exemplified what it means to be a true leader--selfless, committed, and always ready to serve.

His service has not only protected our Nation but also strengthened our State and enriched the communities that he has sworn to defend. He has answered the call of duty with distinction, representing the State of Mississippi with pride and honor.

In his role as the director of the counterdrug program for the Mississippi National Guard and as commandant of the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy at Naval Air Station Meridian, Colonel Bartran has made an incredible mark on the battle against illegal drugs and organized crime.

His leadership has not only advanced the mission but has also guided countless servicemembers, empowering them to make a difference in their own communities.

His vision and dedication remain a steady force, driving the success of future generations of guardsmen and -women.

On behalf of all Mississippians, we are deeply grateful for Colonel Bartran's extraordinary contributions to our State, Nation, and military.

I thank Colonel Bartran for his tireless commitment, leadership, and unwavering service. As he enters this new chapter of his life, we wish him nothing but success, happiness, and fulfillment.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to extend heartfelt congratulations to Mayor Jim Luke on being named the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Excellence in Government Award. This is a remarkable achievement, and Mayor Luke is only the second mayor in history to receive such an honor.

Luke has spent his career improving the city of Picayune, Mississippi, starting his career as a police officer at the Picayune Police Department. Under Luke's leadership, the Picayune Police Department achieved significant advancements in community engagement and public safety.

Luke initiated innovative programs such as the Teen 411 Program and the police camp aimed at fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and youth.

As chief, he spearheaded the Partnership, Pride, and Progress Program which revolutionized public safety technological capabilities without incurring additional cost to the city.

Through innovative partnerships with local businesses, the program facilitated the exchange of information and resources beneficial to law enforcement and the community. His outstanding dedication and visionary leadership and tireless commitment to improving the lives of those in Picayune have truly earned him this recognition. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated leader guiding our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mayor Luke for his exceptional contributions and for serving the city of Picayune with unwavering distinction.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I stand here today before you to honor the life and legacy of Jeanne Carter Luckey, who passed away earlier this month.

Jeanne was not only a dedicated trustee for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, but a tireless advocate for education and the future of our State.

Throughout her distinguished career, Jeanne worked with unwavering passion to ensure that our universities and students had the resources they needed to succeed.

Her leadership on the board of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning was marked by wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to Mississippi's educational system. She understood that education was the key to unlocking opportunities for generations to come.

Jeanne was a fierce believer in service to her community, her State, and to the future of our children. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy that will continue to inspire those of us in public service for years to come.

On behalf of the people of Mississippi, I extend my deepest condolences to Jeanne's family, friends, and colleagues. We will miss her leadership and her unshakable dedication to making Mississippi a better place.

Madam Speaker, I am excited to share that Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, has recently been named one of the best places to live in 2024.

This charming Mississippi Gulf Coast town, often referred to as part of the secret coast, has gained national attention for its many outdoor activities and strong sense of community.

When I visit, I immediately can feel that the folks of Bay St. Louis take pride in supporting one another and working together to make it a better place for everyone.

Some of the city's main attractions include a resilient seaside downtown area with many historic eateries, monthly art walks, and, of course, the beachside atmosphere. It embodies the small-town feel with big cultural energy.

Also, because of its easy access to many waterways, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Jourdan River, flowing

to the Bay St. Louis bay, this coastal city has been a key participant in the renewal of the Gulf's oyster population.

Bay St. Louis is a place apart, and I am honored to represent this community in Congress, and I encourage all Members to visit.

I congratulate this wonderful community on such a well-deserved recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late Mr. Casey Price, of Ellisville, Mississippi, and to acknowledge the local events that are being held this week in his honor.

After graduating from Enterprise High School in Mississippi, Mr. Price was among the first African American students to receive an athletic scholarship at the University of Southern Mississippi. He embraced this opportunity and went on to make his name in Mississippi's Fourth District on the basketball court, averaging eleven points and nine rebounds per game. After a successful collegiate career, Mr. Price applied the skills from his achievements at the university to benefit his community.

Upon graduating in 1974, Casey Price began coaching at South Jones High School in Mississippi. His coaching methods made a lasting impact on his players, leading the team to a championship and providing invaluable lessons on winning and leadership. However, Mr. Price's influence extended well beyond basketball.

Seen as a father figure by many, there are numerous stories of how his unwavering encouragement in all aspects of life left an indelible mark on everyone in the community who had the privilege of learning from him. Even in retirement, he continued to support his former students. Mr. Price set a strong example both on and off the court, and I am confident those who knew him will continue to be motivated by his legacy.

I am deeply grateful for Mr. Price's work and his commitment to shaping many lives in South Mississippi. Let us all follow his example to encourage the next generation of local leaders.

Madam Speaker, my resolution expresses our support for the men and women who serve our communities in local law enforcement. These brave officers work tirelessly to protect and serve, putting their lives on the line regularly to uphold the rule of law.

As a former sheriff and a 42-year career law enforcement officer, I have seen what these men and women go through. I know the toll taken by the long hours, the sleepless nights, and the time spent away from family. I know what it is like to console the grieving families of victims after horrendous crimes and tragic accidents. I have seen things most Americans will, thankfully, never have to experience.

When others run away, our law enforcement officers are trained to run toward danger, to fight crime, and to protect the innocent. Far too often they don't make it back. Mississippi has not been spared from these tragedies.

In December of 2022, Bay St. Louis Police Sergeant Steven Robin and Officer Branden Estorffe were shot and killed while conducting a welfare check on a woman and a child sitting in a parked vehicle. Last June, Madison Police Officer Randy Tyler was shot and killed while responding to a hostage situation.

Moreover, this January, George County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Malone was shot and killed during a traffic stop on a rural highway.

These men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice represent the best of our State and our Nation. Fallen heroes like these officers are being honored this week during National Police Week.

Madam Speaker, there is no better time for us to pass this resolution and make it clear we stand with law enforcement than this week, while thousands of local law enforcement officers and their families are gathering here in our Nation's Capital.

My resolution does just that. It expresses our gratitude for the selfless service of local law enforcement and the importance of a healthy relationship between law enforcement and the communities they protect.

It also condemns attempts to undermine that relationship through rhetoric about defunding and abolishing the police. These narratives demonize local law enforcement officers and encourage hostility toward law enforcement. Ultimately, they put both officers and the general public at greater risk.

We have seen targeted, ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers, including one as recently as this Sunday. Agencies across the country are struggling to hire and keep talented officers as they are vilified for deciding to serve their communities.

At the same time, we have seen disturbing increases in crime, especially in cities like Washington, D.C., and Americans' fear of crime is at its highest level in 30 years.

Madam Speaker, it is time for this body to lead. It is time for us to make it abundantly clear that we stand with our law enforcement against lawlessness. It is time for a strong, bipartisan majority to say, once again, that we will not defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Williams for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, this April, two families received that call that no law enforcement leader ever wants to make. Onondaga County Sheriff's Lieutenant Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen were shot and killed in the line of duty.

I rise to honor and remember their legacies and to share my sympathies and my prayers with the loving families they leave behind. As a former sheriff and a 42-year law enforcement officer, I want to make it abundantly clear that the sacrifices made by Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen are not in vain. Like countless other officers from upstate New York to south Mississippi, they put on the badge and went out into their community to protect and serve, putting themselves in harm's way because they believed in right and wrong.

Mr. Speaker, one of the things you learn very quickly during a career in law enforcement is that the families of our officers serve alongside them. Parents, siblings, spouses, and children each make tremendous sacrifices because of their loved one's service to their community. None is as difficult as the sacrifice the families and friends of these two heroes have made.

My heart breaks for you and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and Syracuse Police Department and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen. My prayers, as well as the prayers of this body and the entire Nation, are with those loved ones as you grieve.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for America to wake up. Wake up, America, and realize what is going on in this country. Our law enforcement officers are dying. Families are suffering. However, know that we are here with you and will always be as we pray God bless you and give you comfort.

Mr. Speaker, before coming to Congress, I spent 8 years as a sheriff in my home county and 42 years as a law enforcement officer. If I hadn't done my job as a sheriff, I would have been fired and removed from office.

Mr. Speaker, Secretary Mayorkas has not done his job. He has willfully ignored immigration laws passed by Congress and allowed our southern border to turn into utter chaos.

His breach of public trust cannot go unanswered. I voted to hold him accountable in committee last week, and I will do so today on the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this impeachment and hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable for his actions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express deep concern regarding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s decision to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes. If the Administration continues with this proposal, it must work with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to mitigate the potential increase in illicit cross-border activities related to menthol cigarette smuggling.

While I acknowledge the negative health effects of cigarettes, the consequences of opening an illicit market could be detrimental. As a career law enforcement officer, I have seen the effect of imposing federal bans on contraband firsthand. Mandates such as this encourages terrorist and cartel organizations to smuggle cigarettes across our wide-open southern border. With the increasing influx of drugs, including fentanyl and narcotics, already coming across our border and the number of cartels reportedly expanding operations to include cigarette smuggling, our nation cannot afford to give terrorist and cartels another revenue stream to terrorize our communities.

As the Administration looks to finalize this rule, I urge the administration to consider all the consequences of this rule and take steps to lessen the risks associated with this ban.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Commander James Christian Duncan of the 31st Combat Training Squadron of the United States Air Force.

Lieutenant Colonel Duncan joined the Air Force in 2003 and trained at Columbus Air Force Base where he finished with distinction, flying both the T-6 and the T-38.

He has a distinguished training career, training other pilots on both the F-15E and the F-35. Before the 31st was activated in April of 2021, Duncan served as commander of Detachment 1 of the 29th Training Systems Squadron.

In his career, Commander Duncan had received many honors and awards, including the Transition Top Gun Award, Military Training Award, Flying Excellence Award, and the Order of Daedalians AETC Commander's Trophy.

On November 1, he retired from the armed services and is looking forward to opportunities with his family, Amy, Elliana, Micah, and Sarah.

I thank Commander Duncan for a career of service to our country and wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the East Central High School Hornets baseball team for their outstanding showing in the 2023 Mississippi High School Athletic Association Class 5A tournament.

After winning a State title last year, the Hornets were determined to repeat. In the playoffs, the Hornets found themselves in elimination games multiple times, but these athletes were unified by fortitude, not anxiety. To paraphrase senior all-state catcher Logan Terry: They just didn't lose.

This mentality brought the Hornets their first repeat championship in school history. Their success over the last two seasons is a testament to the leadership of Coach Bo Long and a large class of senior players.

Congratulations to the East Central Hornets baseball team on their outstanding season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mike Mullins for his service to the citizens of D'Iberville, Mississippi, for the last 23 years.

Mike moved to D'Iberville in 1969 with his family. Mike was named the first parks and recreation director for the city of D'Iberville in 2001 before taking over public works. He later became a member of the American Public Works Association, serving as a delegate in 2011 and 2012 and then serving as vice president of the local branch in 2013 and 2014 before serving as president in 2014 and 2015.

Mike is retiring with his fiancee, Anne Mikish; his daughter, Michelle; two grandchildren; and Anne's children and grandchildren.

Mike Mullins' dedication to serving his community in so many capacities is inspiring to me, his family, and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Police Week. As a 42-year veteran of law enforcement and a former patrolman, detective, police chief, and sheriff, I know firsthand how much our law enforcement officers and their families sacrifice to protect our communities.

At a time when law enforcement officers across the country have been vilified by far-left activists, it is more important than ever that we show them our honor and respect.

Today is Peace Officers Memorial Day, and I take this time to honor two fallen heroes from south Mississippi, Bay St. Louis Police officers Sergeant Steven Robin and Officer Branden Estorffe.

Sergeant Robin and Officer Estorffe were shot and killed in the line of duty this past December. Like so many other fallen officers, they leave behind grieving families and a community grappling with the consequences of senseless violence.

As we honor both National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, our fallen officers, their loved ones, and their communities are in the thoughts and prayers of myself, this body, and the United States of America.

May we always remember their selfless commitment to service and, ultimately, their sacrifice.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.

For the last 2 years, the Biden administration has implemented radical energy policies that have caused the price of gas and other household expenses to skyrocket. At the same time, this administration has forced us to become more dependent on hostile foreign nations and has caused us to lose high-paying American energy jobs.

H.R. 1 is commonsense legislation that addresses these problems. It would increase domestic energy production, reform outdated permitting processes, and support the production and processing of critical minerals.

Ultimately, this bill works to support the energy needs of hardworking American families who are struggling with the high prices created by this administration's policies.

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am proud of the way H.R. 1 improves water quality certification by streamlining an outdated permitting process. Bureaucrats often weaponize the process by slowing down certification for projects that don't fit their radical agenda.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the lives of 2 fallen heroes, Bay St. Louis Police officers Sergeant Steven Robin and Officer Branden Estorffe, who were shot and killed in the line of duty this past December.

Sergeant Steven Robin served 3 years with the Bay St. Louis Police Department after prior service with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. Officer Branden Estorffe served 2 years with the Bay St. Louis Police Department.

During their law enforcement careers, both men received numerous accolades for their dedication to protecting their community.

Sergeant Steven Robin received Overall Top Academic Honors with the Hancock County Law Enforcement Training Academy. Sergeant Robin took on supervisory roles during his tenures with both the Waveland Police Department and the Bay St. Louis Police Department, serving as a Field Training Officer and Sergeant with both departments.

Officer Branden Estorffe was recognized for Top Academics with the Combat Readiness Training Center. Officer Estorffe also earned the Firearms Award with the Harrison County Law Enforcement Training Academy and maintained high firearms standards with the National Rifle Association and the Hancock County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team.

Sergeant Steven Robin is survived by his wife, Amy, his parents, Michael and Julie Robin, his son, Brandon Boudreaux, his 2 special girls whom he considered daughters, Tessa Delsied and Emmaleigh Melton, his granddaughter, Rosie, his 2 brothers, Brian and Glenn Robin, his father-in-law, Lester Bush, his mother-in-law, Mary Bush, his brother- in-law, Brad Bush, his sister-in-law, Stephanie Bush, and his 2 godchildren, Braeleigh, and Addilyn Delsied.

Officer Branden Estorffe is survived by his parents, Ian and Heather Estorffe, and his siblings, Lilly and Sophia Estorffe, Jordana and Chloe Gilkerson, and Andrew Porter, his grandparents, Rex and Lynda Estorffe and Tommy and Sheila Burkett, and his aunts and uncles, Lauren and Greg Walters, Jennifer and Jason Polk, and Chad Goodfellow.

May we remember their selfless commitment, their service, and ultimately their sacrifice. Their families are in the thoughts and prayers of myself, this body, and everyone in Mississippi.