Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Mrs. Lisa Singleton of Bowie County, Texas, and to present her with the Congressional Patriot Award. Lisa has dedicated her life to faithfully serving her community and country.

Born in Hope, Arkansas, Lisa attended Hope High School, graduating in 1986, and later completed office vocational courses at Texarkana College. In 1990, Lisa married the love of her life, Gary Singleton, with whom she has shared many pets, memories, and successes.

Lisa's professional journey has been as diverse as it has been impactful. She has worked as a receiving clerk for Walmart, a local rental car agent, and in jewelry sales. Yet her greatest professional passion has been in the healthcare industry. She has served her community as a postpartum department unit clerk, an emergency department unit clerk, and as office manager and receptionist for Dr. Petty's Podiatry.

Beyond her professional career, Lisa's dedication to civic engagement has been extraordinary. She has been a volunteer with the Bowie County Republican Party for 35 years, currently serving as Precinct Chair and Volunteer Coordinator, inspiring and organizing others to participate in the democratic process. Her community outreach extends beyond the Party through her work in voter registration and voter engagement at local events and festivals.

Since 1992, Lisa has proudly served as an Election Clerk and Election Judge with the Bowie County Election Administration Office. Among her most notable accomplishments, she has served as Treasurer (two terms), Vice President (one term), and President (two terms) of the Bowie County Republican Women, a chapter affiliated with the Texas Federation of Republican Women (TFRW). Outside of her service, Lisa is also close to completing a personal goal--visiting all fifty states, with only two remaining.

Lisa Singleton's lifelong commitment to her community, her profession, and her Nation truly exemplifies what it means to be a patriot. It is an honor to recognize her exceptional contributions and to present her with the Congressional Patriot Award in appreciation of her steadfast service to the people of Bowie County and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Mr. Dennis Lewis of Texarkana, Texas, and to present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Dennis has dedicated his life to faithfully serving his community and country.

Born in Texarkana, Texas, Dennis attended Maud High School, graduating in 1970, before pursuing higher education at United Electronics Institute, Texarkana College, the University of North Carolina, and Army Management Staff College, Army Logistics Management College, where he completed the Leadership Management Program and Logistics Management program. In 1971, he married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Paula Graham Lewis, with whom he has shared 54 years of marriage, three kids, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

After graduating, Dennis began his professional career with the Department of Army at Red River Army Depot in 1972, where he would serve for 39 years until his retirement in 2011. He applied his expertise in electronics by working on cobra helicopter systems and subsequently advanced from technician to senior management.

Beyond his professional career, Dennis has demonstrated exceptional dedication to civic and political engagement. He gave back to his hometown of Maud by serving as a school board member and city councilman. He served for 20 years as Chairman of the Selective Service Local Board, as a member of the Military Services Nomination Board for Senator Cruz, as a Director for the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, and currently as Chair of the Red River Credit Union Supervisory Committee.

In 1986, Dennis was awarded the Outstanding Community Service Award by the Army and later received the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

While Dennis has been recognized with numerous distinguished service and leadership awards, he considers his greatest accomplishments to be his three sons growing into dedicated fathers and his enduring marriage to Paula.

Dennis Lewis' lifelong commitment to his community, his profession, and his Nation truly exemplifies what it means to be a patriot. It is an honor to recognize his exceptional contributions and to present him with the Congressional Patriot Award in appreciation of his steadfast service to the people of Texarkana his family, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Mr. Steve Ledwell of Texarkana, Texas, and to present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Steve has dedicated his life to faithfully serving his community and country.

Born and raised in Texarkana, Steve has spent his life building up others and strengthening his community. From a very young age, he has always been the first to lend a hand to anyone in need--and often to those who never even had to ask. Steve has also built a loving, faith- filled family with his wife, their three children, and grandchildren.

Professionally, Steve has had a long and dedicated career at Ledwell & Son Enterprises. Through his work, he has extended his generosity to the entire community--refurbishing and providing trucks for countless local nonprofits and schools. Steve has supported nearly every sports team in town, contributed to Watersprings Ranch, and served as the go- to man behind the scenes whenever help was needed. He even advocated directly with the Army Corps of Engineers to advocate improvements to local flood control and levee systems.

Steve counts among his greatest blessings, his wonderful parents, devoted family, his incredible community, and the opportunity to make a positive difference in so many lives.

Steve Ledwell's lifelong commitment to his community, his profession, and his Nation truly exemplifies what it means to be a patriot. It is an honor to recognize his exceptional contributions and to present him with the Congressional Patriot Award in appreciation of his steadfast service to the people of Texarkana and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Andre Jackson of Rockwall, Texas, and to honor him with a Congressional Veteran Commendation. Sergeant Jackson honorably served in the United States Army from 2000 to 2007, dedicating nearly a decade of service for the defense to our Nation with distinction, leadership, and selfless service.

During Sergeant Jackson's seven years of service, he served as an Information Systems Operator, Analyst, and Maintainer. In this role, he oversaw and managed networks and help desks for all information technology functions for over two-thousand users. Sergeant Jackson was deployed to Iraq for both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, where he demonstrated outstanding character, organization, and communication in performing his duties at the highest level.

For his exemplary service, Sergeant Jackson received numerous awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon, among many others recognizing his exceptional performance and commitment to excellence.

Following his retirement from the Army, Sergeant Jackson has continued his legacy of leadership and service in his community. In 2012, he became involved with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which led to his participation with Heroes on the Water, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He currently serves as the Interim Post Commander and District Chaplain for Rockwall Veterans of Foreign Wars. Sergeant Jackson also serves as the President of Operation Frontline Warriors Foundation, which works to address food insecurity among active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders. He also founded the Rockwall County VET Together Facebook group, which promotes fellowship and camaraderie with local veterans, while also connecting them with local resources.

I am deeply honored to recognize Sergeant Jackson for his courage, pioneering leadership, and lifelong dedication to serving his country and community. He represents the very best of Texas' 4th Congressional District and of the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Petty Officer Third Class Ashten Waldrep of Whitewright, Texas, and to honor her with a Congressional Veteran Commendation. Petty Officer Waldrep honorably served in the United States Navy from 2008 to 2015, demonstrating integrity, discipline, and dedication to duty as a Master at Arms.

During her military career, Petty Officer Waldrep was stationed at Naval Station Everett in Washington, where she played a vital role in maintaining security and readiness, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of her fellow sailors. Serving during the post-9/11 War on Terrorism, she contributed to the Navy's global mission to protect the Nation and combat terrorism both at home and abroad. For her honorable service, she received the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal--each recognizing her commitment and professionalism in service to our Nation.

Following her military career, Petty Officer Waldrep has continued her dedication to others through her work with the Military Veteran

Peer Network, where she provides peer support, suicide prevention, and community outreach for veterans in need. As a Mentor Coordinator for Veterans Court, she assists justice-involved veterans by offering guidance, accountability, and a second chance at success through rehabilitation and support.

In 2024, Petty Officer Waldrep graduated from the Texoma Regional Police Academy, where she received the Grayson College Veteran Award for her outstanding achievements. She went on to serve with the Grayson County Sheriff's Office and now provides security for Austin College. In addition to her service and career, she is a devoted mother of four, continuing to lead with strength and compassion.

I am deeply honored to recognize Petty Officer Third Class Ashten Waldrep for her courage, patriotism, and lifelong devotion to serving others. She exemplifies the very best of Texas' 4th Congressional District and of the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Specialist Billy Gene Teague of Denison, Texas, and to honor him with a Congressional Veteran Commendation. Specialist Teague honorably served his country across multiple branches, including the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1981 to 1982, the Texas Army National Guard from 1982 to 1983, the United States Army from 1986 to 1987, and the Texas State Guard from 1988 to 1990 and again from 2015 to 2017.

Throughout his military service, he held roles as a tracked vehicle repairman, armored vehicle landing bridge operator, military police supervisor, and later as a nurse and military police officer in the Texas State Guard, where he achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. His duty stations included Parris Island, Aberdeen, Fort Hood, Hunter Army Airfield, the Rio Grande Valley, Fort Walters, Dallas, and Camp Pendleton. For his exemplary service, Specialist Teague received numerous awards and honors, including the Army Service Ribbon, the Medal of Merit, the Adjutant General's Individual Award with two stars, the Commanding General's Individual Medal, the Humanitarian Service Ribbon, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Cold War Medal, the Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizen Bronze Medal, and the Texas Medal of Merit.

Beyond his military service, Specialist Teague has remained deeply devoted to his fellow veterans and the Texoma community. He developed both the Terminally Ill Veteran Flag Program and the Texoma Heroes Project, dedicating more than 1,500 volunteer hours to recognizing hundreds of veterans. He also created a Trauma-Affected Veteran training curriculum for law enforcement and an ASVAB pretest program for students at Grayson College.

Specialist Teague currently serves as Chaplain for the American Legion Post No. 29 in Sherman, Texas, where he continues to assist veterans and their families. A proud husband, father of four, and grandfather of six, he lives by the values of God, family, and country. Despite being a 100 percent disabled veteran, he continues to dedicate his life to serving others and uplifting the veteran community across North Texas.

I am deeply honored to recognize Specialist Billy Teague for his courage, patriotism, and lifelong dedication to serving both his country and his community. He exemplifies the very best of Texas' 4th Congressional District and of the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Command Sergeant Major Christopher ``Chris'' Joseph Lynch of Rockwall, Texas, and to honor him with a Congressional Veteran Commendation. CSM Lynch honorably served in the United States Army for twenty-seven years.

During his distinguished military career, Command Sergeant Major Lynch served in a wide range of roles, from basic infantry duties to senior leadership as the Command Sergeant Major of battalion-sized formations. His service record reflects a steady progression of responsibility--from fire team leader and squad leader to platoon sergeant, company first sergeant, and, ultimately, battalion Command Sergeant Major. In addition to these leadership positions, CSM Lynch held numerous noncommissioned officer staff roles within combat formations. His extensive service took him across the globe, including assignments in Korea, Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

CSM Lynch's outstanding service earned him numerous commendations, including the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, five Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation. These honors reflect his exceptional leadership and steadfast dedication to his country and fellow soldiers.

Since retiring from the Army, Chris has continued his service as the Director of Elections for Rockwall County, where he leads a team known for integrity and excellence. He also serves as Post Vice Commander of the Rockwall Terry Fisher American Legion Post, where he established a Veteran Relief Program supporting local veterans in need. Additionally, he helped create a Youth Leadership Symposium that introduces middle school students to fundamental leadership principles.

I am deeply honored to recognize Command Sergeant Major Christopher Joseph Lynch for his extraordinary courage, patriotism, and lifelong commitment to service. He exemplifies the very best of Texas' 4th Congressional District and of our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Trellis Maddalena of Flower Mound, Texas.

A native of Georgia, Mrs. Maddalena has dedicated more than 13 years to the United States Postal Service, beginning her career as a mail carrier in Flower Mound. Demonstrating a commitment to professional growth, she completed the Customer Service Associate Supervisor Program in 2019 and went on to serve in supervisory and leadership roles across multiple Texas stations, including as OIC Postmaster.

In 2022, Mrs. Maddalena was appointed Manager of Consumer Affairs for the Southern Area, Texas One. In this role, she excels at overseeing customer policies, managing interactions with government offices, analyzing surveys and CRM systems, while fostering cooperative relationships. Her ability to work seamlessly with congressional offices, staff, constituents, and local boards of elections has made her an indispensable partner in addressing the needs of the community.

Her dedication has been recognized through multiple awards, including the USPS Outstanding Supervisor Award from the Coppell Post Office in the spring of 2022, the USPS Customer Service Award from the Consumer Advocate Headquarters in September 2022, and the USPS Chief FOIA Officer's Award in May 2023. Beyond these honors, Mrs. Maddalena has consistently gone above and beyond for our office and district, ensuring that passports are retrieved from the mail in urgent situations or assisting with time-sensitive casework requests. Her unmatched availability and commitment have directly improved customer experience for countless constituents.

I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Mrs. Maddalena's extraordinary achievements and contributions. I thank her for all she has done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Thomas McCall of Frisco, Texas, and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. He has served and uplifted our community through his leadership and dedication.

Tom was born and raised in Yonkers, New York. Due to life hardships, he was quickly educated in the meaning of mortgage payment and food on the table. He attended Manhattan College, graduating in 1972 with a BSBA in Accounting and his CPA designation, which led to the beginning of a long and prosperous career in which he earned a reputation as a determined accountant and executive. Over 30 plus years of work, Tom had multiple assignments but only 3 employers. He launched his own business, McCall Asset Management, in 1998 in Frisco, Texas and it is still going strong. Tom met his wife, Karen, during college and they married in 1975. They raised 2 kids and have 2 wonderful grandchildren.

Throughout his career, Tom has been present in his community through his charitable giving of time, talent and treasure as seen in his involvement with Boy Scouts of America, Leadership Council, St. Baldrick's Children's Cancer Research, Hope for Vision, and Serving HIM (Healthcare International Ministries). A devoted man of faith, Tom attends Holy Cross Catholic Church The Colony with his wife, Karen, where he serves as Volunteer Finance Chair, on the Pastoral Council and as an Educator. Since 1985 he has been actively involved with Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree, and is a past Trustee. He lives the Catholic Christian life of servitude. I am proud of Tom's lifelong contributions to our community, and I wish him continued success for many years to come.

It is an honor to bestow Tom with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to the people of North Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 90th birthday of Mrs. Wanda Faye Babb of Paris, Texas.

Mrs. Babb was born on September 20, 1935, in Paris, Texas. Mrs. Babb attended school in Paris, the same place where she would grow into an active member within her church and community.

She has dedicated her life to faith, family, and community. Mrs. Babb has been a devoted member of many churches and has spent her time teaching Sunday school and guiding the youth. On November 25, 1953, Mrs. Babb married the love of her life, the late Wendell Babb. Together, they raised three wonderful children, and over the years, their family grew to include many cherished grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Mrs. Babb owned and operated Byers Beauty Shop in Paris, a business started by her mother, where she worked for decades as a beloved cosmetologist. She took pride in her business and treated her clients like family. In addition to the beauty shop, Mrs. Babb spent time as a representative for Mary Kay, where she strived to provide opportunities for her employees. Throughout her life, she has been a dedicated and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, striving to instill a strong faith and love of music in her grandkids. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing piano, and recognizing every Western television and film actor. Mrs. Babb credits her life to the Lord, her family, and loving her country.

I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Mrs. Babb's incredible life and journey. May God bless Mrs. Babb on 90 years of life filled with patriotism, faith, and joy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Thomas John Wade of Jefferson City, Missouri, who peacefully passed away on the 3rd of September, surrounded, fortunately, by his loving family.

Thomas was born on August 9, 1946, to John Edward and Dorothy Jeanette Wade. Thomas grew up in Jefferson City and attended Helias Catholic High School before graduating from Lincoln University.

Following his education, he answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army, which he was then honorably discharged from.

Thomas was united in marriage to Genevieve Louise Copeland, with whom he shared many decades until her passing in September of 2009. Later, he was blessed to find love again, marrying Mariia Kluvak on January 21, 2017.

Throughout his life, Thomas was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, living out his faith with dedication and, I think more importantly, humility. He also served his community through his work at the United States Post Office at the Columbia Airport.

Thomas valued time spent with family above all else, and he found joy on the golf course. He was one of the first members of the Redfield Golf Course, where he spent many days enjoying the game with his beloved wife.

We have flown a flag in his honor over the United States Capitol.

Now, I mentioned that Thomas was in the Army. Not only that, he served in Vietnam, and he served in combat in Vietnam. He served in combat in Vietnam in military intelligence, which essentially put him on the front lines of the front lines. As many combat heroes do, he didn't talk about it much.

I also mentioned that he was a man of faith. He was a man of deep faith. He lived that ``I am third'' philosophy, which is: God is first, friends and family are second, and I am third. That is who Thomas Wade was.

He had no interest in travel outside the United States because he loved his country that much. He felt there wasn't any need to leave for even a day. He loved his family hard. He also loved three things. He loved golf, the Missouri Tigers, and to prove that he was a man of high intelligence, he loved the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Thomas fought cancer hard, and he fought it so hard because he loved this gift, this precious gift we have of life. He also loved his wife, Mariia, with all his heart and his wonderful son, John. During his fight, he never let his humor leave him. Humor is really a song of the divine. It gets us through.

The most important job any of us have, quite frankly, is that of being a parent, because our children are ultimately a reflection of us. Thomas' son, John, John Wade, is someone I have gotten to know. He is the CEO of the AES Restaurant Group. They employ thousands of Americans. You may know them by their more popular name, Arby's.

John followed in his father's footsteps. John is selfless, he is kind, he is hardworking, he is funny, he is gregarious and generous, and he is a man of accomplishment. John and his wife, Mallory, are dedicated to the AES Foundation which he founded. They have raised over a million dollars for charities in their community because that is who they are, servant leaders. They put country and community before themselves, and they have accomplished so much.

Thomas Wade was the best of us. He was a good man. He was a good father. He was a good husband. He was a good friend, a good mentor, and a good American. His very goodness, that is what made him great. The best compliment you can pay anyone is: The world is a better place because you were in it.

The light of America dimmed a bit on September 3 because Thomas Wade went to a better place. The world is a better place because Thomas was in it.

Mr. Speaker, may God hold Thomas up gently in the palm of his hand. May the patriot, Thomas Wade, rest easy.

Madam Chair, this year's NDAA builds on an outstanding year for our military and ensures our servicemembers are a lethal and ready force and that they are going to be a force that is going to be able to project power and will be capable of confronting threats from our southern border to our eastern flank.

This NDAA continues to root out the Biden-era policies that detracted from our main goal, which, of course, is winning and fighting our Nation's wars and, even better, deterring, so we don't have to fight them in the first place.

DEI is gone. Merit is back. Standards are high. Our servicemen and - women will, once again, be the most highly trained, ready fighting force the world has ever known.

In the last year, recruitment and retention soared. As a result, this NDAA gives the services the end strength they need to build and sustain a force equal to any mission. Not to rest on a great year for recruiting, we are expanding access for our military recruiters at secondary schools and other institutions of higher learning.

As our men and women in uniform are our priority, the NDAA authorizes a 3.8 percent servicemember raise, and that is much-needed. It also extends special pay authorities to attract and retain the best talent in some of the most critical career fields.

Additionally, we are enhancing the subcommittee's oversight of the Military Health System and remain committed to addressing the persistent shortage of childcare for our servicemembers through expansion of childcare pilot programs.

Finally, this NDAA continues to deliver on our long-term goals of increasing quality of life because that is the one thing that is most important. The chairman has done a fabulous job at that, so this NDAA will continue to prioritize servicemembers and their families.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Oliver Royal of Plano, Texas, on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and his continued dedication to public service.

Oliver is currently a senior at Plano West Senior High School who will be graduating this month with Honors. From a young age, he has been a decorated Cub Scout and Boy Scout with Troop 219 in Plano. Oliver has earned the Arrow of Light badge and served as the Senior Patrol Leader and a member of the Order of the Arrow scouting honor society. On October 21, 2024, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Project, Oliver constructed two raised bed planter boxes for the Plano Chinese Alliance Church as a show of appreciation for the Church's generosity in allowing Troop 219 to host meetings using their space. In the planter boxes, he chose to set flowers to help promote relaxation, improve air quality, and create a peaceful and welcoming environment for church attendees.

In addition to his exceptional academics, Oliver previously served as a U.S. Youth Ambassador to South Korea as part of the State Department's National Security Language Initiative Program. He is the President of his school's Model United Nations Club and plays the trombone in concert and marching band. Moreover, Oliver received first place in the Texas History Essay Contest. As a recipient of the Czech Republic government's Summer School of Slavonic Studies scholarship, Oliver will be studying in the Czech Republic this summer. He is an incoming freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, where he will study International Relations and Global Studies and participate in their Army ROTC program. After graduation, Oliver plans to earn his doctorate degree and serve as a Foreign Service Officer with the State Department.

I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol to honor this special occasion. I congratulate Oliver, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and service of Mr. Roger Anthony Enrico, who peacefully passed away on June 1, 2016.

Roger was born on November 11, 1944, in Chisholm, Minnesota. to Anthony and Rose Marie Parucci Enrico. In 1965, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Babson College. Shortly after, Roger joined the United States Navy and served as a Supply Officer in 1967 and 1968 during the Vietnam War. Following his distinguished military service, he began his lifelong career in business at General Mills before working for PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division. He served in several management roles at PepsiCo, where his visionary leadership and marketing abilities transformed PepsiCo's global industry and led him to become its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Roger was recognized for his various contributions to PepsiCo's employees, including his dedication to supporting workers, anonymous salary donations to fund scholarships for their children, and development of an innovative and empowering work environment that produced outstanding leaders.

Following his tenure at PepsiCo, Roger served as Chairman of DreamWorks Animation, where his unique experience, creativity, and guidance led the company to produce many blockbuster hits and franchises. In addition to his storied career, Roger was committed to giving back to our community through community service and generous philanthropy along with his late wife, Rosemary. He served on numerous boards, including the American Film Institute, Environmental Defense Fund, American Prairie Reserve, and the National Geographic Society, to advance civic and cultural initiatives. I am honored to recognize Roger and Rosemary's remarkable contributions to our community and nation, and their legacy will be remembered for many years to come.

I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Roger's life and service to North Texas.

He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Major Robert Coleman's exemplary and distinguished record of service to our country. Rob is an active-duty Military Police Officer in the United States Army, and he served as my Defense Fellow throughout last year.

A native of Monterey, California, Rob earned his degree in Psychology from Gonzaga University in 2009 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He also attended the Marine Corps University and George Washington University, where he earned master's degrees in military studies and legislative affairs, respectively. During his 16-year career in the Army, Rob served in key tactical and strategic positions. He has successfully completed the Basic Officer Leader's Course, Air Assault School, Marine Expeditionary Warfare School, and the Marine Command and Staff College. Upon commissioning, Rob became a military police platoon leader in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he was charged with training and coordinating with the Afghan National Police. He later deployed with the 101st Airborne Division to Afghanistan as an advisor to the National Directorate of Security. Following the deployment, Rob served for two years as a Company Commander in the 101st Airborne's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

After his tenure as a company commander, Rob was stationed at the Pentagon as an Army Staff operations officer. He worked directly for the chief of the Integrated Personnel Pay System--Army (IPPS-A) program and later returned to the 101st Airborne to serve as its Chief of Operations and executive officer for battalion operations. For his outstanding service, Rob has earned two Bronze Star Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Achievement Medal, the Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge. While serving as my Defense Fellow, Rob also played a critical role in drafting my NDAA priorities for FY2025, which ensured the Army and Department of Defense could adapt and modernize at the speed of warfare. He also helped enact an important law to grant military recruiters the same physical access to high school campuses in the same manner as colleges and industries, which allowed our Nation's Armed Forces to adequately address its recruiting crisis. I would like to thank Rob for his continued selfless service and contributions to our country. I am excited to see what lays ahead for him in the future.