Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the birthday of Helen Dramer Jarrell. Helen will turn 100 years old on July 3rd.

Helen Dramer Jarrell was born the eighth child of the nine children Ida Mae and Walter Hubert Waldrop on July 3, 1925. Helen had two sisters and six brothers.

On January 16, 1943, Helen married Efton Harrison. They were blessed with a baby girl, Helen Diane, on November 20, 1943. In 1945, Helen and Efton divorced, and she raised Diane on her own. On June 10, 1948. Helen remarried after meeting Jim Jarrell at work at the cotton mill. They were married for 55 years until Jim passed away in 2003.

Helen has always had a servant's heart. She cared for her mother until her passing and worked for many years at the Mary Brandon Nursing Home in Oxford, Alabama, as a nurse's aide. Helen has two grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren. After retiring from the nursing home, Helen helped raise her great-grandchildren and later helped at the Senior Center until she retired at 90 years old.

On March 13, 2011, her daughter passed away. In December, she moved into the Oxford House Apartments. She has made many friends in the past 14 years. She enjoys playing dominoes and exercising. Helen is a woman of faith and loves her family deeply.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Helen on this milestone and wishing her a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Public Works Week, which takes place from May 18-24, 2025, and to offer a special greeting to the City of Oxford Public Works Department.

Our public works professionals dedicate their time and talent to maintaining the infrastructure and facilities essential to public health and our quality of life. In Oxford, that work is carried out under the capable leadership of Rusty Gann who oversees a dedicated team of 73 employees.

Without the efforts of the Public Works Department, essential services we all rely on, like safe roads, clean public spaces and functional public buildings--simply could not be provided. The Oxford Public Works team works every day to rebuild, improve and safeguard our transportation systems, structures and facilities.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing National Public Works Week and thanking the City of Oxford's hardworking Public Works professionals, engineers, managers and employees for their unwavering commitment to help maintain our city's health, safety and advancing the quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Public Works Week, which takes place from May 18-24, 2025, and to offer a special greeting to the City of Anniston Public Works Department.

Our public works professionals dedicate their time and talent to maintaining the infrastructure and facilities essential to public health and our quality of life. In Anniston, that work is carried out under the capable leadership of David Arnett and Supervisory staff who oversees a dedicated team of 58 employees.

Without the efforts of the Public Works Department, essential services we all rely on, like safe roads, clean public spaces and functional public buildings--simply could not be provided. The Anniston Public Works team works every day to rebuild, improve and safeguard our transportation systems, structures and facilities.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing National Public Works Week and thanking the City of Anniston's hardworking Public Works professionals, engineers, managers and employees for their unwavering commitment to help maintain our city's health, safety and advancing the quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the 100th anniversary of Gadsden State Community College. Gadsden State is currently under the leadership of President Dr. Kathy Murphy.

One of the initial founding institutions of Gadsden State is the Alabama School of Trades. It was established in 1925 as the first state-operated trade school in Alabama and the entire southern United States.

Classes began on September 16, 1925, with 42 students enrolled in the inaugural class. Four courses were available: printing, electricity, bricklaying and cabinetmaking. All students lived in the newly constructed dormitory equipped with modern conveniences such as steam heat and plumbing that featured hot and cold running water. Students helped government workmen lay bricks to build the school's first permanent two-story buildings.

The Alabama School of Trades continued to thrive as a training center for the area's technical industry with increasing student enrollment and course offerings. In 1942, courses were converted to War Training. At the close of World War II, new courses were added to help veterans re-enter the workforce such as: Radio, TV, Auto Mechanics, Machine Shop, Refrigeration, Drafting, Photography, Upholstery, Auto Body, Barbering, General Farm Dairy, Poultry and Heavy Equipment.

In 1973, the school's name was changed to the Alabama Technical College and began offering associate in applied technology degrees. In 1985, the Alabama Technical College merged with Gadsden State Community College and is now known as the East Broad Campus. It is home to many of Gadsden State's workforce development programs such as Precision Machining, Mechanical Design, Industrial Automation, Welding, Electrical, Electronic Technology, Salon/Spa, Court Reporting, Truck Driving, Skid Steer Training, Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy and Civil Engineering.

As a result of mergers and expansion of services, Gadsden State is now a sprawling Community College with five campuses including East Broad, Wallace Drive, Valley Street (HBCU), Ayers and Cherokee. Gadsden State serves Etowah, Calhoun, Cleburne, Cherokee and St. Clair counties in northeast Alabama. There are 70 programs of study offered to over 5,000 students.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Gadsden State Community College a happy 100th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Steven Folks as City Manager for Anniston, Alabama.

Mr. Folks received an associate's degree from Gadsden State Community College and a bachelor's degree from Jacksonville State University. He spent 21 years honorably serving our country in the United States Army Military Police Corp/Regiment. During his service, his assignments included Military Police instructor, Platoon Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, First Sergeant and Battalion Operations Sergeant. He was honorably retired in 1995.

Mr. Folks came to work for the City of Anniston on April 10, 1995, as Recreation Leader. In July of 1996, he was promoted to Recreation Center Director at Carver Community Center and established the Good Choices Program. In March of 2007, Mr. Folks was promoted to Parks and Recreation Director. He was appointed interim City Manager in June of 2019 and became City Manager on October 28, 2019. He is an active member of the International City/County Management Association and the Alabama City/County Management Association.

Mr. Folks has been married to his wife, Vickie, for 42 years. They were blessed with three sons: Shannon (deceased), Dewan and Steven, Jr. They are the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren and one great- grandchild.

Mr. Folks serves as an ordained Deacon with Mission Church of God by Faith Ministry, where his wife serves as the Pastor.

On April 10, 2025, Mr. Folks will retire from the City of Anniston after 30 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Steven Folks for his retirement and thanking him for his dedication and service to our country and to the City of Anniston. I congratulate Mr. Folks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Beverly Graben from my Oxford District Office.

Beverly, a native of Clay County, Alabama, was born on May 6, 1959, to W.T. and Eulene Buckhannan. She graduated from Lineville High School in 1977 and married Andy Dale Graben on April 8, 1979. Beverly obtained a cosmetology degree from Ayers State Technical College. She and Andy have been blessed with two sons: Adam (married to Jayme) and Kevin (married to Kimberly). They have five grandchildren who are the light of Beverly's life: Seth, Ella Jaymes, William, Charlotte and Joseph.

Beverly is a former member of Center West Baptist Church and currently attends Barfield Baptist Church.

Beverly has worked at Burger Quick, RL Harris Dam, Graben Wood Products, Midway Ford, Wright and Sprayberry Insurance and former Congressman Bob Riley. Beverly has worked for me since I took office in 2003. She is an outstanding employee and has a heart for the people of Alabama's Third Congressional District. She will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Beverly for her retirement and thanking her for her dedication and service to our great State of Alabama. I congratulate Beverly.

Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I commend the Chair, the leader, and Chairman Arrington on their tremendous work.

We have heard about all the ways the House budget resolution will deliver on President Trump's America First agenda. That includes making a generational investment in our national defense.

The $100 billion in defense spending this resolution unlocks will enable us to begin restoring American deterrence, prioritizing lethality, and ensuring peace through strength.

It will help defend the DOD's mission at the border because border security is national security.

It will help improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families.

It will help us start to revitalize our defense industrial base and restore readiness accounts to ensure we can fight tonight. It will also help us start to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity and enhance our missile defense. It will also help begin restocking our Nation's arsenal of critical munitions. It will help us position our military to out-compete and out-innovate China.

Achieving the President's goal of peace through strength will ultimately require us to get defense spending back above 4 percent of GDP. However, none of that can happen unless we pass this budget resolution today.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the life of the oldest living Alabama citizen, Rosa Cook. Rosa passed away on February 8, 2025 at the age of 112 years old. Rosa was born in Coosa County, Alabama on May 24, 1912, to Lewis McKinney and Georgeanna Ingram. She lost her mother at eight years old and was raised by her older brothers and sisters. She was married for 24 years to the late K.C. Cook, who died at a young age of a massive heart attack in 1965. She and K.C. were blessed with three children. Rosa moved to Sylacauga, Alabama, to live with her daughter Ruth.

Rosa was a member of the Rising Star Baptist Church where she sang in the choir until she became disabled. She also was active in the Faithful Worker's Missionary Society Club, the Rising Star Senior Choir and Recreational Golden Keys.

Rosa's life was celebrated on February 13, 2025.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life of Rosa Cook.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Jimmy Johns from Elbit America. Prior to his work with Elbit America, Jimmy served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983. Following his honorable service to our country, he joined International Enterprises (now known as Elbit America) as a Technical Assistant.

Jimmy has been a fixture at Elbit America for over 42 years working up to be the site lead for the entire Talladega operation. In this capacity, he oversees over 150 employees.

Elbit America is a treasured part of the Talladega community generating over $150 million in revenue every year. Under Jimmy's leadership, Elbit has prospered and regularly gives back to the community generously.

Jimmy's colleagues are extremely grateful for his leadership and friendship over the many years he has served with them, and his presence will be dearly missed.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Jimmy Johns for his many years of service and wishing him the best in retirement. I congratulate Jimmy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Jana McGinnis as Head Coach for the Jacksonville State University softball team.

Jana, a native of Spring Garden, Alabama, spent 31 years as the head coach of the Jax State softball team. She retired with a 1,038-607 career and the all-time 30th most wins among Division I coaches. That record number wins are the eighth-most-all-time by a Division I coach at the same institution and give her more games won than any coach in the university's history. Jana was a two-time All-Gulf South Conference guard in basketball at Jax State. She holds the school's career and single season assists records. After graduation, she started coaching at Cherokee County High School and within two years brought home a state title.

In 1994, she took over as head coach of the softball team at Jax State winning the Trans America Athletic Conference title in her third season and advanced to the 1996 NCAA Regional. It was the first conference title for Jax State at the Division I level in any sport.

Jana spent most of her career in the Ohio Valley Conference winning regular season or tournament championships in 11 of her 17 seasons in OVC and won both in the same season three times. She has also been named OVC Coach of the Year, a conference-record six times. The Jacksonville State University softball complex has been named Jana McGinnis Field to recognize her success over the years.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Jana on her retirement and thanking her for her dedication and service to Jacksonville State. I congratulate Jana.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Colonel Anthony J. Cloud. Colonel Cloud assumed the duties of Chief of Staff, Alabama Army National Guard on January 15, 2023. In his previous assignment Colonel Cloud served as the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Joint Force Headquarters.

Colonel Cloud began his military career as a Combat Engineer in the Alabama Army National Guard. Colonel Cloud received his commission in 1996 from the Alabama Military Academy, Officer Candidate School. Commissioned as an Engineer Officer, Colonel Cloud held various leadership and staff positions that made a significant impact on the ALARNG Engineer and Chemical community. He is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, The Chemical Advanced Course, Airborne School, the Command and General Staff College and the U.S Army War College. Command assignments include: Commander, HHD, 145th Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade, ALARNG, Commander, 151st Chemical Battalion, 31st Chemical Brigade, ALARNG and Commander 31st Chemical Brigade.

Key staff assignments include Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel ALARNG, Deputy G3 ALARNG, Executive Officer/Administrative Officer for the 62nd Troop Command, Plans, Programs, and Environmental Division Chief, and Mobilization Plans Officer, Joint Force Headquarters; Engineer Platoon Leader, Battalion Operations Officer, 145th Engineer Battalion, 31st Armored Brigade, ALARNG; Executive Officer and TAC Officer in 2nd Battalion (Officer Candidate School), 200th Regiment, ALARNG; Executive Officer, 1203rd Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, Iraq.

Colonel Cloud holds a B.A. in Marketing from the University of Alabama and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army National Guard Components Achievement Medal with 2 Bronze Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Device, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass Device and Mobilization Device, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Alabama National Guard Distinguished Service Ribbon, Alabama National Guard Commendation Ribbon, Alabama National Guard Veterans Service Ribbon with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Alabama National Guard National Emergency Service Ribbon with 9-11 Device, Alabama Special Service Ribbon, Alabama National Guard Faithful Service Medal with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze St. Andrews Cross Devises, Alabama National Guard Basic Training Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Colonel Cloud, and thanking him for his service. Congratulations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Louis Bass, CEO of Regional Medical Center Health System (RMC) in Anniston, Alabama.

Louis has dedicated 26 years of his career to RMC Health System, culminating in a decade of service as CEO. Prior to this leadership role, he served as the system's CFO.

During his tenure, Mr. Bass led RMC through the COVID pandemic and spearheaded several key accomplishments. He integrated Stringfellow Memorial Hospital into the RMC family, allowing the transformation of inpatient care. He helped transform RMC Foundation to better invest in needs of the hospital and expanded access to serve the community. Bass improved nurse education through the donation of Jacksonville Medical Center to Jacksonville State University and helped position RMC for a financially stable future and success by securing HUD funds to refinance and make needed capital improvements.

Louis is a dedicated community leader, serving on the boards of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Vizient Southeast, the JSU Foundation and the RMC Foundation. He is also an active member of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.

Louis and his wife, Debbie, are the proud parents of Jordan and Ashley Bass, Corey and Hazuki Bass, and Lauren and Trey Shaw. They are blessed with four grandchildren: Claire, Jonathan, Emma, and Owen Bass, and Baker and Brewer Shaw.

Mr. Bass is a devoted member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, where he serves as a Deacon.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Louis on his retirement and thanking him for his service to Northeast Alabama. I congratulate Louis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Mayor Johnny L. Smith, Mayor of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama.

Mayor Smith graduated from Collinsville High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville State University. He furthered his studies with a Master of Mathematics from the University of South Carolina, Doctor of Education with a Special Emphasis in Mathematics from the University of Alabama and Post Graduate Study in Mathematics from Emory University.

Mayor Smith served on the Jacksonville City Council for 12 years and has served as mayor for 20 years. He has served in the Alabama League of Municipalities, the Alabama Recreational Trails Commission, Past Chairman and member of the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission and Past Chairman and member of the Calhoun County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

His children include: Laura A. Smith (deceased) (David), Jennifer Smith Aguilar (deceased) and Lyle Smith (Jennifer). His grandchildren include: Glenn M. Smith (deceased), LeeAnn Smith (deceased), Kristen Aguilar, Camden Aguilar, Amelia Smith, Olivia Smith and Luke Smith.

Mayor Smith is a member of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Exchange Club. In 2017, he was the recipient of the Book of Golden Deeds and the Jacksonville News Citizen of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing my friend, Mayor Smith, and thanking him for his service to the City of Jacksonville. Congratulations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Executive Vice President and Acting President of Freedom House, for her exceptional leadership, dedication, and tireless efforts in the protection and growth of global democracy during these challenging times.

For over 15 years, the world has witnessed the troubling rise of autocracy--a reality that has threatened fundamental freedoms and the rule of law across the globe. Amid this daunting backdrop, Ms. Sedaca has led with profound vision and unwavering commitment, steering Freedom House with extraordinary resolve to meet the ever-evolving challenges of our time.

Under her leadership, Freedom House has not only preserved but expanded its critical mission to defend and promote the values of democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. Her efforts have significantly bolstered the organization's reach and impact, addressing the critical needs of communities striving for liberty and justice in the face of oppression.

Freedom House has long been a U.S. national treasure since its founding in 1948 by Eleanor Roosevelt and Wendell Willkie. As a beacon of hope and a defender of democratic ideals, Freedom House has stood resolute against tyranny for decades, embodying the principles that make our Nation a global leader in the fight for Democracy. Ms. Sedaca's leadership has ensured that this historic institution continues to thrive in its vital role on the international stage.

Her work has been nothing short of extraordinary, and her dedication to the cause of democracy exemplifies the highest standards of public service. Nicole Bibbins Sedaca's tireless advocacy inspires us all, and her achievements remind us of the enduring importance of safeguarding the freedoms we cherish.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Ms. Sedaca for her invaluable contributions to the cause of democracy and human dignity. Her unwavering resolve and steadfast leadership have ensured that Freedom House remains a force for good in an increasingly complex world.

I applaud Nicole Bibbins Sedaca's exceptional service and to the enduring legacy of Freedom House--a legacy that continues to shine as a beacon of hope for oppressed peoples everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 44) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of the bill H.R. 5009, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.