Nikema Williams

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mr. John Laughter on his retirement from Delta Air Lines after more than three decades of distinguished service.

Over the course of 32 years, John has built a remarkable record of leadership and service that has left a lasting mark on one of our Nation's leading airlines and on the thousands of employees he has guided and inspired.

John began his career at Delta TechOps as an aircraft liaison engineer. From those early days, he steadily rose through the ranks, leading teams through some of the most challenging and exciting periods in the company's history. He helped rebuild the airline following Delta's emergence from Chapter 11, playing a critical role in restoring the strength and reliability of the airline's operations. He also steered the integration of Delta and Northwest

Airlines that enabled a successful merger, significantly expanding Delta's domestic and international footprint. This strategic unification not only broadened Delta's route network across the United States but also strengthened its global reach--connecting more communities and offering enhanced travel options to customers worldwide.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, John led Delta's operational response at a moment of unprecedented uncertainty. Under enormous pressure, he helped maintain safe, secure, and reliable service, preserving an essential part of our national transportation infrastructure and supporting countless workers and communities that depend on air travel.

Under John's leadership, Delta's TechOps Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul business has bolstered the airline's resilience and competitiveness. Today, the MRO business stands as a significant source of revenue for Delta, providing maintenance services to other airlines around the world and setting Delta apart from its peers through its scale, technical expertise, and industry-leading reliability. By leveraging its world-class MRO capabilities, Delta has not only strengthened its own operations but also established itself as a trusted partner in the global aviation community.

John has also been a tireless champion of safety, helping establish Delta's safety management system and insisting on the accountability and culture necessary to keep employees and customers safe. Navigating an increasing changing threat environment and global events, he ensured Delta remains focused on the security of our people, our customers, and our operations.

At the same time, he has leaned into innovation and the passenger experience, guaranteeing our customers the latest in security technology, as well as providing a seamless' and secure travel experience from curb to gate.

In every role he has held, John championed operational excellence. He inspired Delta's people to take pride in delivering a safe, clean, and on-time operation that customers could trust to connect them to the people and places that matter most. But colleagues will tell you that his greatest legacy is not only the systems he built, but the people he supported. John has been known throughout his career as a servant leader and a steadfast advocate for Delta's people-focused culture. He has always understood that operational excellence flows from great people who are cared for, respected, and inspired to be at their best. His deep, personal connection with frontline teams has been central to his leadership and to the success of Delta Air Lines.

Mr. Speaker, John Laughter's last day at Delta will be April 30. As he begins his next chapter, he looks forward to spending more time with his family, especially his first grandson. On behalf of my constituents and this body, I offer him our sincere gratitude for his decades of service, and our best wishes for a long, healthy, and fulfilling retirement.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. John Laughter on his well-earned retirement and in recognizing his vast contributions to the people and customers of Delta Air Lines and to the broader aviation community.

Mr. Speaker, the SAVE America Act is back before the House today, and right along with it is yet another attempt at voter suppression. It is no coincidence that this is happening right before the midterm elections.

In January, the FBI raided the Fulton County election office, my home county, where I am a voter. That raid was a bold attempt to intimidate voters in the Fighting Fifth.

The SAVE America Act is just another part of a scheme by House Republicans and the Trump administration to take over our elections.

Atlanta's civil rights leaders, like my predecessor, the late Congressman John Lewis, faced one of the bloodiest battles over our right to vote.

The SAVE America Act will make it harder for millions of Americans to get registered to vote by requiring in-person registration at election offices--government offices with government hours. This is a burden for caregivers and any hardworking American with a 9-to-5 job.

The SAVE America Act is an unfunded mandate to silence voters. The goal of this bill is voter suppression, plain and simple.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this terrible bill.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on Thursday, December 18, 2025. If I were present for Roll Call votes, I would have voted Aye on: Roll Call No. 355, On Motion to Recommit H.R. 4776, SPEED Act; Roll Call No. 357, On Motion to Recommit H.R. 1366, Mining Regulatory Clarity Act; Roll Call No. 359, On Motion to Recommit H.R. 845, Pet and Livestock Protection Act; and Roll Call No. 361, On Motion to Recommit H.R. 498, Do No Harm in Medicaid Act.

If I were present for Roll Call votes, I would have voted No on the Following Amendments to H.R. 4776, the SPEED Act: Roll Call No. 352, Clyde Amendment No. 1; Roll Call No. 353, Roy Amendment No. 5; Roll Call No. 354, Roy Amendment No. 6; Roll Call No. 356, On Passage of H.R. 4776, SPEED Act; Roll Call No. 358, On Passage of H.R. 1366, Mining Regulatory Clarity Act; Roll Call No. 360, On Passage of H.R. 845, Pet and Livestock Protection Act; and Roll Call No. 362, On Passage of H.R. 498, Do No Harm in Medicaid Act.