Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to reflect on a pivotal moment in history--the intervention in Cyprus by Turkish troops in 1974. This event remains a point of contention and deep emotion for many, yet it is essential to approach it with a balanced perspective.

The intervention in Cyprus was not merely a response to a singular incident but the culmination of longstanding tensions between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities marked by decades of inter- communal strife.

The intervention by Turkish troops was a strategic effort to avert further bloodshed and to protect lives on both sides. It sought to stabilize the situation, create a buffer zone, and prevent the escalation of violence.

It is crucial to acknowledge that the intervention's intention was not conquest or aggression but rather a desperate attempt to restore order and ensure the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.

Since then, Cyprus has remained a divided island, with ongoing efforts at reconciliation and peacebuilding. The scars of the past continue to influence political discourse and societal relations. However, it is also a reminder of the importance of dialogue, understanding, and a commitment to finding peaceful solutions to deeply rooted conflicts.

As we reflect on the intervention in Cyprus, let us strive for empathy and a more nuanced understanding of history. May we honor the memory of those affected by these events. Going forward, may we continue to embrace an impartial arbiter approach to this frozen conflict by working towards a future where both Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live in peace and harmony side by side.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank retired Fire Department of New York Lieutenant Jack Kielty, a dedicated board member of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

This foundation stands in memory of 9/11 hero Stephen Siller, and they work to support those brave individuals like Jack Kielty and Steve Siller who willingly risked their lives at a time when New York and our Nation needed them.

I have witnessed the impact of their work through my friend and constituent, retired Sergeant Major Sid Hamid. As an Army Green Beret, Sergeant Major Hamid selflessly placed himself in harm's way many times and battled through nine separate tours on behalf of the United States military.

Through the program, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Sergeant Hamid was gifted a smart home at the beginning of the summer. Jack Kielty of the New York City Fire Department traveled down to Franklin, Texas, to personally present the home to the Hamid family.

In recognition of this selflessness, I stand here today to say thank you to Jack Kielty with a very important certificate signed by the Governor of the State of Texas, Governor Greg Abbott, proclaiming Jack Kielty to be an honorary Texan.

Mr. Speaker, our great Nation needs people who will stand up at a time of need, and this is exactly what 9/11 has produced, brave Americans but also selflessness in their service to others.

I thank Jack Kielty, Tunnel to Towers, and Sergeant Hamid for their great service to this great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the floor about a very important topic but really to honor two people, Jackie and David Siegel of central Florida.

Jackie and David Siegel, as proud Americans, have stepped up to form what is known as the Victoria's Voice Foundation.

The story behind this is one that resonates with millions of Americans. They lost their daughter, 18 years old, to the ravages of drug addiction, to the ravages of what started as a simple marijuana cigarette turning into a THC-induced addiction that led her onward through drugs, ultimately to her death.

Mr. Speaker, across this country, millions of American families are searching for ideas not only about the truth behind the problems with THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana, but also the ravages of drugs that come after that because marijuana is a gateway to these harder drugs that so many people move to.

David and Jackie Siegel understood this as they watched not just their daughter's addiction but how she moved herself through drugs, and eventually it led them to seek time for her to receive treatment.

Treatment, while very important, is stronger than love is, and that is what they learned also. David and Jackie watched their daughter as she spiraled through not only drug addiction but the people that she became associated with.

I stand today to say that David and Jackie Siegel did something about this as they joined a nationwide organization that is intended to teach communities, schools, and parents that there is a way to not only understand and comprehend the things that are happening to our youth but a way to become active to where they can address these issues. They accomplish this by working with schools, by working with parents, and by working with law enforcement to make sure that these ravages of drug addiction are not only understood but addressed.

Mr. Speaker, David Siegel lost an 18-year-old daughter he loved very much, and it has caused him and Jackie to spend millions of dollars to give this outreach the voice that Victoria held and brings to light how important that is to them because they care about other people also.

Families all across this country are struggling to find exactly how to address this; how to take on a big problem. I would suggest today that Jackie and David Siegel, through Victoria's Voice Foundation, have provided a really clear way for the American people, for families, for communities, and for schools who are struggling with these addiction problems, who are struggling with not just the psychosis that happens but ultimately the death of so many of our students.

I think that David had the right idea when he said he didn't want this to happen to another family without the knowledge of what they could do to become engaged to save not just their children but other children in their community.

Mr. Speaker, today, I stand up and salute Jackie and David Siegel for not

just sitting back in their own sorrow but actually moving forward in the American spirit, in working with people of goodwill, who want to protect our children, who want to see the dangers as they exist in our country today and make a meaningful difference.

I applaud David Siegel for not only his investment of millions of dollars, but I also applaud David Siegel for standing up and saying that he believes that the only way we can win this battle is through the confidence that we give our children, showing them that we care about them, that our schools will take this same rigorous responsibility, and, we, as a community and as a Nation, can solve this problem.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of David and Jackie Siegel, not in their grief but in the resiliency that they had to move forward to help other people in our country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman and friend from Kansas for yielding.

I also thank my colleague from the District of Columbia, representing the minority or the Democratic Party on the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, for her leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill. It is a bill that we tried to make bipartisan and to include ideas from a number of people that were on the committee.

As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, we worked together not only holding hearings, but discussing the need for transparency and better technology for projects from the General Services Administration.

As it stands now, the government's internal technology consultancy is mostly opaque in its operation, resulting in the lack of competition and a few instances of serious failures from the GSA's products. Those are products that were developed in-house.

Last year, the GSA Inspector General reported that Login.gov, a GSA product that was intended to be a single-sign-on solution for the Federal Government and government agencies, was intentionally misleading Federal agencies about its technical capabilities and ability to actually authenticate the users.

In other words, Mr. Speaker, as people came in to do business with the government agency, GSA had a front to it that would assuredly tell that agency wherever they were going and with great likelihood exactly who that person was.

This subversion left government websites exposed to fraudulent users and removed a critical barrier for criminals to improperly claim government benefits. In other words, they said that it contained certainty about who that person was that came to them for those agencies then did not need to do further investigation to make sure who was seeking government benefits.

While we do not currently know the total amount of fraud that was committed because Login.gov did not provide adequate system security as it was required and stated that it was prepared to do, we do know that the American taxpayer was on the hook for hundreds of billions of dollars--up to $400 billion--in fraud from various COVID relief programs; each of these agencies counting on the person that they were speaking to and in contact with were the correct person.

The central tactic used in this was identity theft. It was fraud.

In order to prevent such fraud in the future, Federal systems must have identity verification capabilities that work.

Instead, the GSA marketed, and Federal agencies paid for, an identity verification system that was either not present or did not work.

It left the door wide open for criminals pretending to be someone else, to steal benefits, to steal information, and otherwise compromise government systems with a false identity.

Last year, the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight Subcommittees, which I chair, held a hearing and it was a bipartisan answer that we came up with. It is a problem.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleagues, including the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Connolly, for his support of this legislation, but certainly back in the committee as we brought this bill forward, it was a bipartisan answer that no matter whose fault it was, it needed to be fixed.

We looked at it, I think, the same way. I am very proud of this committee, and I am very proud of my colleagues, the Democrats, the minority party, for working with us just like it was a part of their responsibility, which it was. I totally support that.

With Login.gov, the Technology Transformation Service failed. Now, we are going to provide the transparency that is required in this bill. I am very proud of this work that was done on a bipartisan basis.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 30.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the extraordinary life and legacy of Audie Murphy. Audie Leon Murphy was born the son of sharecroppers on June 29, 1925, near Kingston, Texas, and rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. Among his 33 awards and decorations he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States, for ``conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty''. He also received nearly every decoration for valor that our country had to offer, as well as honors from Belgium and France. Murphy is credited with killing over 240 enemy soldiers, and wounding and capturing many others. Beginning his service as an Army Private, Murphy quickly rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, then was given a ``battlefield commission'' as 2nd Lieutenant. He fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, and he was wounded three times.

Upon returning to the United States after the end of World War ll, Murphy received a hero's welcome. He appeared on the cover of Life Magazine, which led James Cagney to invite Murphy to Hollywood in September 1945. His 1949 autobiography ``To Hell and Back'' was a best seller which was made into a movie in 1955, in which Audie Murphy starred as himself. The movie held the record as Universal's highest grossing picture until 1975 when it was surpassed by the movie ``Jaws.'' Over Murphy's time in Hollywood, he made a total of 44 feature films and a 26-episode western television series.

In 1955, Murphy became interested in Freemasonry. Encouraged by his close friend, Texas theater owner Skipper Cherry, he petitioned and joined the Masonic Order in California. Later he returned to Texas to conduct his 32-degree work where he joined the Shriners. Murphy remained active in various masonic events and was a member of good standing at the time of his death.

Murphy suffered from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suffered from chronic insomnia and depression. Always an advocate for the needs of veterans, Murphy spoke out candidly about his personal problems with PTSD, then referred to as ``Battle Fatigue.'' He publicly called for the United States government to study the emotional impact war has on veterans and to extend health care benefits to address PTSD and other mental health problems of returning war veterans.

On May 28, 1971, Murphy was killed when the small plane in which he was a passenger crashed on the side of a mountain near Roanoke, Virginia. On June 7, 1971, Audie Murphy was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. His gravesite is the second most visited gravesite in the Cemetery.

On June 9, 1999, the Texas Legislature officially designated his birthday, June 20th, as Audie Murphy Day. Governor George W. Bush

of Texas made a similar proclamation declaring June 20th officially to be Audie Murphy Day in the State of Texas. On October 29, 2013, Governor Rick Perry posthumously presented him with the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor. Audie Murphy is an American hero and a distinguished Texan. I am proud to honor his legacy today.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman not only for taking the time to initiate this important discussion about our former colleague, the gentlewoman, Eddie Bernice Johnson, but also thank her for gathering together what I think is evidence of a solid performance that Eddie Bernice Johnson gave not just to the people of Texas, not just to the people of the United States Congress, but really to the people who all across the country benefited from Eddie Bernice Johnson's character, her desire to be friendly, her desire to work across the aisle, and her desire to make sure that she led a life that she would be proud of. I can attest to each of those in a strong way.

I had an opportunity to work with Eddie Bernice Johnson, the Congresswoman from the 30th District of Texas, for some 22 years. During those 22 years, we had an opportunity to fly back and forth. We would meet at DFW Airport and get on the airplane and come up. She did not offer small talk. She offered talk of things that she saw. She would offer talk and discussions about things that she would hope that we would become, and not just Texas, but people.

It was really an amazing opportunity for us, whether we were sitting, waiting for a plane, or on a plane and attempting to move back and forth, to hear not just the benefit of what I believe was an outward view of very positive things but really how she wanted to work together and do her part in that process.

She knew and I knew that I was born in Waco, Texas, and she was born in Waco, Texas. Another Member of Congress, Joe Barton, was also born and raised in Waco, Texas. I think she held that certainly in not just her mind but in her heart because she knew where she had come from and where I had come from, and we both knew where we were trying to head.

I thank the gentlewoman, Congresswoman Crockett, for bringing together Eddie Bernice Johnson's friends, who will all speak not just about her authorship of good things but how we will miss her very much. I thank the gentlewoman for allowing me time to be on the floor tonight to say: Job well done, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. You not only are but you will be missed.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, this past March, the inspector general of the General Services Administration issued a report into the identity verification and validation service Login.gov.

Login.gov is managed by the Technology Transformation Service within GSA and was built by a group called 18F, which lies within TTS and describes itself as a technology design consultancy for the U.S. Government.

Login.gov was intended to provide the public with a single website through which they can access digital services with a single username and password.

For agencies, it is supposed to ensure persons trying to access services are who they claim to be so that security and convenience are met.

What could go wrong? Well, the March IG report that I will include in the Record detailed how employees at Login.gov knowingly misrepresented the level of security they provided to their clients within the government. It even billed agency clients over $10 million for services that they did not provide and for products that did not exist. Without getting too technical, Login.gov claimed that it offered a level of security that included biometric comparisons for applicants.

I realize there had been and still are concerns about the biometric comparisons returning false positives within

certain ethnic groups, but if there were these concerns, the proper way to deal with the situation was not to lie and say you provided a service that you did not, in fact, provide.

When the IG report came out, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, which I was the chairman of at the time, held hearings into fraud in Federal programs. We heard how taxpayers had lost hundreds of billions of dollars to bad actors from the IRS, and a central tactic in such fraud was identity theft, which is at the very heart of what the 18F group is about.

Here we have a Federal entity marketing a service to Federal customers that is intended to assure identity, but that Federal entity is not telling the truth.

Mr. Chair, this amendment targets 18F. Why 18F and not Login.gov itself? Because since its inception in 2014, in the wake of the healthcare.gov debacle, trouble has followed 18F around. It was envisioned to be a tech-savvy group within the Federal Government that would bring a startup mentality and a high level of competence to help usher Federal agencies into the digital age. In practice, it has been more like a group run amok, a group run amok that intended to deceive people about what they were doing.

In 2016, the IG issued a report describing how 18F had run up a deficit of $31 million between 2014 and the third quarter of 2016, even though it was supposed to generate enough revenue to cover its costs.

In 2017, the IG issued another report describing how 18F routinely circumvented fundamental security policies and guidelines established by our government.

In the 2023 report on Login.gov, the IG reported that despite the concerns raised in the two previous reports, the culture of 18F and its parent group, TTS, was still a problem. One Federal tech executive is quoted as saying about 18F that they came in to solve one problem and created two different problems.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment takes care of 18F by not allowing them to be funded. 18F has been in operation for over a decade, leaving a trail of expensive problems and questionable value.

The Committee on Oversight held a hearing on this. It was a bipartisan hearing. My colleagues on both sides of the aisle had an opportunity to talk about this, and we came up with this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I stand to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Turkish Republic Day, a significant milestone that encapsulates a century of the Turkish people's dedication to resilience, progress, and liberty. This is not just a celebration of Turkey's freedom but also a testament to the enduring friendship between the United States and Turkey, allies whose shared values lay the foundation for a bright future.

Central to our relationship is the substantial economic partnership that we have cultivated. This bilateral relationship extends across critical sectors including defense, energy, and commerce. It is within this sphere of trade and investment that both nations encounter vast untapped potential, promising mutual prosperity.

We engage in a strong trade relationship, exchanging billions of dollars annually worth of essential goods. Turkey ranks as a key market for American enterprises, while Turkish investments on American soil continue to spur job creation and innovation, enriching our local communities.

We recognize that our commercial relationship, albeit robust, has room for growth. Turkey's strategic location, bordering countries across the Eurasian region, positions it as a pivotal ally for U.S. interests now more than ever. Turkey is an attractive destination for foreign direct investment and economic collaboration, particularly in emerging sectors like technology, renewable energy, and healthcare.

As we mark Turkey's centennial Republic Day, it is incumbent upon us to recommit to nurturing this partnership. By emboldening our economic ties and exploring collaborative ventures, we can co-create a pathway towards sustained economic vitality and security. This celebration is not just about reflecting on Turkey's admirable past; it's about forging ahead, side by side, towards a prosperous and peaceful future.

I extend heartfelt Republic Day greetings to the Turkish people. Here's to a friendship that, built on mutual respect and common aspirations, will continue to flourish for generations.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, it is my privilege to recognize and honor the United States Air Force 555th Civil Engineering Squadron, ``Triple Nickel,'' as one of the original RED HORSE units for their distinguished service and commendable achievements during the Vietnam War.

In the thick of the Vietnam War, on October 1, 1965, the U.S. Air Force activated the first RED HORSE squadrons, notably the 555th and 554th Civil Engineering Squadrons (CES), which would soon earn their nicknames, ``Triple Nickel'' and ``Penny Short,'' respectively. Initially designated as ``Prime BEEF Heavy Repair'' units, these squadrons quickly distinguished themselves, prompting leaders to coin the term ``RED HORSE,'' an acronym for Rapid Engineer Deployable, Heavy Operations Repair Squadron--Engineering. Their mission was crucial--to establish a long-term civil engineering presence and provide major repair capabilities in the combat zones of Southeast Asia.

The deployment of RED HORSE units was a strategic move at a critical juncture in the war when the demands on Army and Navy construction units far exceeded their capacity. With the Army and Navy construction forces fully engaged, RED HORSE units emerged to fill the need. Upon deployment to Cam Ranh Air Base, South Vietnam, the Triple Nickel unit immediately began operations by hitting the beach with supplies and heavy equipment.

Civil engineer units from across the United States were assigned to various Air Force installations throughout Vietnam, including Cam Ranh, with some of the most distinguished officers and airmen being selected for RED HORSE duty. The 1969 roster that served in the 555th CES was composed of four hundred civil engineer personnel, arriving in Vietnam at the height of the war and responding to urgent infrastructural needs following the Tet Offensive of 1968. which delivered damaging blows to American installations up and down the peninsula.

Cam Rahn Air Base required significant infrastructure to sustain the war effort--from paved landing strips to dormitory housing for the troops. Triple Nickel not only repaired and constructed new facilities on Cam Ranh Air Base but also saw action at various American and Vietnam installations throughout the peninsula--from the Delta to the DMZ. In Vietnam, over two thousand RED HORSE troops deployed annually where they built both horizontal and vertical facilities to support the Air Force's mission and engaged in numerous humanitarian projects for local communities.

As the Vietnam War began to wind down in the early 1970s there were calls to deactivate units that had been formed during the war. However, thanks to the foresight of certain military and Congressional leaders who recognized the inherent value RED HORSE provides to the Air Force in both peace and war, multiple units remain in National Guard and Reserve organizations.

In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the bonds formed during the conflict were not only maintained but strengthened. Now, veterans of Triple Nickel who served together in Vietnam occasionally gather to celebrate the friendships, accomplishments, and bonds that were forged in the challenging environment of a war-torn country.

It is my distinct honor to recognize the 555th Civil Engineering Squadron, ``Triple Nickel,'' for the critical role they held in the Vietnam War and the enduring bond they maintain today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to present Arnold Louis Gray of Groesbeck, Texas with a Congressional Veteran Commendation. Today we honor an exemplary citizen whose continued leadership beyond his active duty has cemented him as a pillar of his community.

In 1966, at the age of 24, Arnold joined the Army and began as a recruiter in New York. His resilience was tested in Vietnam. Amid the Tet Offensive, when a critical helicopter crew met a tragic end, he stepped up as a door gunner. Following Vietnam, during Russia's invasion of Czechoslovakia, Arnold stood firm as a Team Commander of tanks at the German border. Throughout these times, he was recognized with commendations including the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Vietnam Service Medals, among others. He attained the rank of Specialist 5, receiving his honorable discharge in 1969.

Upon returning stateside, he achieved a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University. Arnold and his beloved wife, Penny, reside in Limestone County, raising Brangus cattle. In his community, Arnold's commitment shines through. He's been influential in church activities, notably at the Groesbeck Methodist Church. The duo's dedication to youth is evident in their support for the Limestone County 4H, FFA, and agricultural programs.

A testament to his leadership, Arnold has served organizations ranging from the Limestone County Fair Association to the Groesbeck Masonic Lodge. His service earned him the Golden Trowel award. He's also been active in the American Legion, Tri-County Antique Tractor Club, and has been a driving force behind numerous local boards.

Arnold and Penny's contributions to Limestone County haven't gone unnoticed. They've been hailed as citizens of the year by the Groesbeck Chamber of Commerce, with October 12, 2021, named in their honor. To many, Arnold's wisdom and integrity make him the ``Go-To Guy.'' When questions arise, often the question asked is, ``what would Arnold do?''

For his unwavering service to the Nation and continued leadership in his community, I am honored to present the Congressional Veteran Commendation to Arnold L. Gray.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to present retired Major John Raymond Knue, United States Air Force, of Robinson, Texas with a Congressional Veterans Commendation.

John was born the oldest of six children in a large and loving family in rural southern Indiana. Graduating from North Dearborn high school in 1968 and after a short time working in construction in civil engineering, he decided to enroll in the Air Force in December 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War.

He took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and was awarded his tech specialty in civil engineering. During his 22 years on active duty, John was overseas over five years to include tours in the Vietnam War as well as a tour in Germany. He was sent to advanced training for Vietnam, and in November 1970 arrived in Cam Ranh Bay with Unit 554 Civil Engineering Squad in heavy repair construction. This was part of the famous ``Red Horse'' squad, and in fact, the 554 was the last Red Horse unit in Vietnam.

Through hard work, he attained the rank of Technical Sergeant and earned an appointment at the Air Force Officers Training School and was commissioned in November 1978. Following a very successful career as a Commissioned Officer, he retired at the rank of Major in August 1998.

During his military career, Major Knue earned many prestigious decorations including three Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, six Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, four Vietnam Service Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Following his retirement, he received his Doctor of Education degree from the University of North Texas in 1998 and continued to serve others through employment, charity, and volunteer activities. In education, he was Facility Development OfFicer at Texas State Technical College and Senior Lecturer at Baylor University Hankamer School of Business. In civic duty, he was a Robinson City Council Member, McLennan County 911 District Board of Manager, and served in various capacities as a Robinson firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.

For fellow veterans, he works tirelessly for Heart of Texas Waco Veterans One-Stop for earned military benefits as Lead Trainer for new volunteers, assists in holding Baylor University law clinics, and helps coordinate all

special events including weekly meals. He is a Veterans of Foreign Wars Lifetime Member and Officer and Vietnam Veterans Association of America Lifetime Member. John was honored as the State of Texas 2020 Appointment of the Year for Continued Service to Veterans of Vietnam War and All Wars.

John is very active in Meadowbrook Baptist Church where among other things, John and his wife Carol plan and supervise Wednesday night family night meals for one-hundred and fifty members from August to May of each year.

For an American who lives by ``Never Stop Serving'', I proudly award retired United States Air Force Major John R. Knue the Congressional Veteran Commendation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor retired Lieutenant Colonel Vincent J. Tobola, Jr., United States Air Force, of Waco, Texas with a Congressional Veteran Commendation.

A proud graduate of Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering, Lieutenant Colonel Tobola embarked on a distinguished 24-year career in the United States Air Force, during which he showcased exceptional leadership and commitment. His postings spanned from Kincheloe Air Force Base in Michigan, Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, to Griffis Air Force Base in New York, among others. In roles such as Chief of the Contracts Support Division, Director of Base Engineering, and Civil Engineer Squadron Commander, he managed assets worth billions and supervised contracts in the hundreds of millions. His exceptional service earned him numerous accolades, including five Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Achievement Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, and various others marking his outstanding dedication to duty.

After retiring from the Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel Tobola continued his devotion to public service with the City of Waco, TX. Contributing significantly as the Waco Facilities Program Administrator and subsequently as the Facilities Manager. His leadership played a pivotal role in advancing major upgrades across various city facilities.

His spirit of service didn't end there. Following his retirement from the City of Waco in 2018, he remained deeply involved in the Heart of Texas Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Not only did he serve as the chapter's president for two years, but he is also the active Treasurer both at the chapter and state levels. Beyond his administrative

roles, Lieutenant Colonel Tobola showcases his commitment by organizing MOAA's monthly membership meetings, special events, and the pivotal annual fundraiser. This fundraiser, under his guidance, has provided over $140,000 in educational scholarships and supported Reserve Officer's Training Corps students in both high schools and universities throughout Waco.

For his enduring dedication to his nation, both in military service and beyond, and his embodiment of the MOAA's motto of ``Never Stop Serving,'' it is with great admiration and respect that I present the 2023 Congressional Veteran Commendation to retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Vincent J. Tobola, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to present retired Colonel Robert I. Solenberger, United States Army, with the 2023 Congressional Veteran Commendation. He is the epitome of the U.S. Army's slogan, ``Be All You Can Be.''

Robert Solenberger was born in 1943 in Oakland, California, earning a bachelor's degree in engineering chemistry from the University of New Mexico in 1965. In the midst of the Vietnam War, a young twenty-five- year-old patriot commenced thirty years of active military service when he enlisted in 1968. While engaged in infantry training at New Jersey's Fort Dix, Robert incurred extensive lung damage, spending months in what was then the Valley Forge Army Hospital in Pennsylvania.

Medically discharged from the Army in 1972, with access to rehabilitation funding, Robert attended medical school at the University of Maryland, obtaining a Doctor of Medicine in 1974, later training in surgery. Ever the patriot, he then applied for a direct commission as a surgeon in the Army Medical Corps; with his acceptance in 1984, and assignment to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Robert began his final twenty-six years of active duty.

Some of Robert's deployments included Operation Desert Storm with the longest and largest Mass Casualty (MASCAL) exercise; Bright Star 95, for which he would be commended by the Army of Egypt; Ulchi Focus Lens 99 in Korea; supporting USMC forces in Afghanistan in 2002 with the 555 Forward Surgical Team; as well as Kuwait, Honduras, and Panama. Colonel Solenberger held the post of Chief Surgeon at Fort Cavazos in Killeen, Texas--the world's largest military base. Uniquely, he led the surgical team in delivering Conjoined Twins--and the workup leading to the only successfbl separation in a DOD hospital.

Among Colonel Solenberger's decorations are a Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon (three stars), Joint Service, Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He received an Order of Military Medical Merit in 1990; the ``A'' Designator (academic full professor), with pediatric surgery credentials in 1997, and the Combat Medics Badge.

Since retiring from active duty in 1994, Robert continues to mentor future military surgeons through his work with surgical residents at both the VA hospital system at Waco, Texas and the VA's Temple, Texas facility. Adding to his remarkable career is the also remarkable fact that Robert has performed in active military duty and as a hands-on, teaching surgeon with the Veterans Administration despite more than a sixty percent disability rating. Battlefield tested, Robert brings both empathy and inspiration to the Texas veterans he now serves with dedication and compassion.

For his love of country, tireless service and continuing to ``Be All You Can Be'' it gives me great pleasure to award retired United States Army Medical Corps Colonel Robert I. Solenberger with the 2023 Congressional Veteran Commendation.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great pride to recognize retired Colonel John Thomas Wells, United States Army, of Woodway, Texas, with a Congressional Veteran Commendation.

Colonel Wells began his distinguished journey as a Military Graduate from Eastern Kentucky University in 1964. His early years saw him patrolling the East German and Czechoslovakian borders and later serving valiantly in the 173rd Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War. Upon returning stateside, his leadership capabilities led him from commanding roles at Fort Knox to significant contributions at the Army Combat Arms Training Board at Fort Benning. Notably, he was instrumental in developing the Army Training and Evaluation Program, a legacy that benefits both active and reserve units today.

His commitment took him to the heart of military planning, serving on the Army General Staff at the Pentagon before command roles in Korea. His final active-duty assignment was Chief, Manpower Division, Resource Management Directorate, U.S. Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Georgia, after which he retired in 1989.

Colonel Wells's awards are a testament to his valor, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star with ``V,'' Purple Heart, and numerous international honors.

His service didn't end in the military. He pursued the Holy Orders, was ordained in 1998, and contributed deeply to parishes in Texas. Throughout retirement, he lent his leadership to various churches, simultaneously earning accolades for his community service in Woodway, Texas. Notably, his two-decade dedication as a volunteer chaplain with the Waco Police Department speaks volumes of his commitment to service beyond uniform.

Educationally, besides his military training, Wells pursued theological studies at the esteemed University of Oxford and holds advanced degrees from Shippensburg University and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest.

Together with his devoted wife, Su, they have enriched the Woodway community, with Colonel Wells chairing the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. Their legacy continues through their four children and three grandchildren.

In recognition of a lifetime dedicated to service, both in uniform and as a steadfast community pillar, I am honored to present the 2023 Congressional Veterans Commendation to retired Colonel John Thomas Wells, United States Army. His story is a testament to duty, courage, and an unwavering commitment to country and community.