Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable individual, Sidney Butler, whose legacy continues to inspire and uplift our community. Sidney Butler dedicated his life to advocating for justice, community improvement, and school safety, leaving an indelible mark on the citizens of our county.

Mr. Butler's commitment to public service was exemplified by his unwavering presence at council and utilities meetings. He understood the importance of civic engagement and actively participated in the decisionmaking processes that shaped our community.

One of Sidney's most noteworthy contributions was his tireless work on various community projects, including the extensive remodeling of our beloved train station. His dedication to these endeavors demonstrated his deep-rooted commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

Despite facing the challenges posed by his epilepsy disability, Mr. Butler never wavered in his pursuit of a more inclusive society. He tirelessly advocated for the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities, serving as a beacon of hope and perseverance. Remarkably, Mr. Butler never owned a vehicle, yet this never deterred him from reaching his destinations. He relied on his own two feet or the kindness of others who gave him rides, demonstrating his determination and resourcefulness.

One cannot speak of Mr. Butler without mentioning his famous saying, which encapsulates his unwavering spirit: ``If you cannot run, then walk. If you cannot walk, then crawl, as long as you keep it moving.'' These words reflect his enduring commitment to progress, no matter the obstacles in his path.

As we remember Sidney Butler today, let us be inspired by his example. Let us continue the work he started, championing justice, community improvement, and school safety. In honoring his memory, we ensure that his legacy lives on, motivating us all to ``keep it moving'' towards a better future for our county.

Mr. Speaker, this tribute is a testament to the enduring impact of Sidney Butler's life and work on our community. May his legacy continue to guide and inspire us for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of Burns Chevrolet throughout South Carolina.

C. Weldon, otherwise known as C.W. Burns, was inspired by his grandfather to learn to become a mechanic. His family's dreams became a reality as he graduated from the Rahe Automobile and Tractor School in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5, 1919, at the young age of 19.

Upon completing the program, C.W. returned to Pageland, South Carolina, to work in a garage. The owner gave C.W. a raise after his first week because he did far more work than any other mechanic there. Soon afterwards, C.W. opened his own service station, eventually starting his first Chevrolet dealership in Pageland on July 15, 1923-- 100 years ago today.

In 1927, C.W. expanded his business and bought Ellison Chevrolet in Lancaster, South Carolina, with a partner, Mr. W.H. Cato. They originally named it Burns & Cato, Inc. Later C.W. bought out Mr. Cato's shares for $5,250 on February 5, 1930; therefore, owning the entire branch.

Following the success of the Lancaster branch, C.W. bought Kershaw Chevrolet with his brother Jimmy R. Burns and W.H. Shaw, Jr., in 1931.

In 1959, C.W. realized there would be far too much family for Lancaster Motor Company to absorb shortly after his twin sons graduated from college; therefore, C.W. sent his son, C. Weldon Burns, Jr., to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to open Burns Chevrolet there. Weldon purchased the Chevrolet dealership in Rock Hill on July 17, 1959.

Weldon then partnered with Claude W. Burns, III, and D. Frank Polk, Jr., in Burns Chevrolet in Rock Hill. Weldon then opened Burns Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Gaffney, South Carolina. A few years later in 1989, Weldon bought out Frank in Gaffney and C. Sam Burns partnered with Weldon in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Weldon and his three sons applied for the Ford dealership in Lancaster and were appointed Ford dealers on February 17, 1994. Robert W. Burns bought out his dad and brothers in 2003 to have sole ownership of Burns Ford in Lancaster.

To usher in the new generation of Burns to the family business, Claude W. Burns, III, added the Cadillac brand in Rock Hill to the family collection on June 30, 2000. Additionally, D. Frank Polk became the Buick GMC dealer in Gaffney, South Carolina, shortly after in 2005.

In 2010 Charles Samuel Burns became the dealer at Burns Chevrolet of Gaffney and sole owner, until he appointed his son, Charles S. Burns, Jr., a partner and dealer in 2020.

On January 27, 2017, Weldon's sons, Claude and Robert, along with Claude's son, James R. Burns, added a new Ford dealership in York, South Carolina. James R. Burns continued to become the dealer of the Burns Chevrolet Cadillac in Rock Hill.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the century of dedication and service the entire Burns family has brought to the automotive industry in South Carolina. The Burns family has set the gold standard for what has made America the greatest nation known to man: our free enterprise system. For over 100 years, the Burns family continues to serve and gain new customers. Again, from all of us who live and reside in South Carolina, we send thanks to the Burns family.

Mr. Speaker, when John Tang was earning his doctoral degree in physics at Georgia Tech in 1999, he never imagined that some 20 years later he would be heading the fourth largest American newspaper by subscription count.

At the time, the Chinese Communist Party, the CCP, had just started persecuting the spiritual discipline Falun Gong, practiced at the time by roughly 1 in every 12 Chinese. People would practice the slow-moving exercises in the morning in parks before going to work.

Just like any other persecution campaign by the CCP, the regime relied on the media it controlled, both the state media and the private media, to demonize and isolate the group. In an attempt to demonize Falun Gong and justify its persecution, the media played nonstop hate propaganda attacking this peaceful meditation group.

John, who had immigrated to the United States, watched from afar in horror as friends were persecuted for their beliefs.

John decided to take action. Despite having no experience or investment, he started Dajiyuan, the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times, in the basement of his home in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

John was driven by a wish to provide uncensored information to not only people in China but to people around the world. Soon, other Chinese Americans left their well-paying jobs to help John with this seemingly impossible endeavor.

The Epoch Times' first reporting group was established in China in the year 2000, covering key events with a main focus on the CCP's human rights abuses. The CCP, however, sees any kind of independent reporting on its brutal human rights abuses as a threat. Within a few months, Chinese police raided the underground newsroom, arresting every reporter and every editor. They were imprisoned, specifically Zhang Yuhui and Shi Shaoping, who received sentences of 10 years where they faced frequent torture.

The Epoch Times' China operation went underground, yet the Chinese edition quickly became a leading website on Chinese current events with millions of readers. Its print newspaper is now distributed nationwide as well as in 30 other countries around the world. Every day, many Chinese break through the CCP's internet firewall to read The Epoch Times' website.

All of this has not been easy. Since the newspaper's founding, the CCP has waged a nonstop campaign to totally destroy it. The party has threatened the newspaper's advertisers, they have launched incessant cyberattacks on its website and IT systems, and threatened relatives of staff members back in China.

The harassment has not been limited just to China. In 2006, the home of then-chief engineer Peter Li was broken into by assailants, who tied him to a chair and beat him before stealing two computers.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong in 2019, assailants started a fire in the newspaper's printing press, and in 2021, armed men entered the building and used sledgehammers to smash printing equipment.

The Epoch Times also inspired the Tuidang, which means ``Quit the CCP'' movement. As a result of The Epoch Times' publication of this special series ``Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party,'' which provides the most thorough interview to date of the true nature of the CCP, more than 410 million Chinese people, and counting, have sought to sever their membership in this party and its affiliated organizations.

Realizing that the CCP had put enormous efforts into infiltrating the United States of America, especially media organizations, resulting in many U.S. media carrying the communist regime's propaganda, The Epoch Times launched in English in 2003 and started a print edition in New York in 2004.

The Epoch Times' independent reporting has attracted a large readership in the United States, now ranking as the fourth largest newspaper in the country by subscriber count. Its website is read by tens of millions of people each month.

Just like its Chinese companion, The Epoch Times prides itself on being independent and serving the interests of the readers. Under its slogan ``Truth and Tradition,'' The Epoch Times adheres to the best practices and highest principles of journalism and seeks to highlight the best of humanity.

The Epoch Times now has editions published in 36 countries and in 22 different languages.

This is all about one word: Freedom.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, it is really an embarrassment for those in the balcony and those watching on TV to even have to put up listening to amendments to deal with what Matt Rosendale was talking about and to deal with what my amendment is doing, which is similar to his, which is dealing with surgeries using taxpayer dollars for those who don't know whether they are a man or a woman.

It is total insanity. If you don't know if you are a man or a woman, you shouldn't be going into war.

We have got China building ships and airplanes, and here we are debating on the House floor whether taxpayer dollars should cover medical care for that person who thinks they ought to be another sex than what they are.

My amendment prohibits the provision of gender transition procedures, including surgery or medication, through the Exceptional Family Member Program.

Let me tell you what the Exceptional Family Member Program is. It provides resources to military families with special needs children. The program is designed for military spouses, children, or other dependent family members who require ongoing medical or educational services, such as individuals with asthma, autism, chronic respiratory illnesses, and others.

Recently the military has tried to politicize this valuable program for transgender procedure purposes. I almost think this administration is trying to use something insane, like what we are having to do here, to take the focus off the things that are happening in America, like the invasion at the border, crime in the streets, or an economy that is sinking, that we are having to talk about this. I am glad to do it, though. Somebody has to stop it.

For example, last year the Air Force suggested using the EFMP for families who want to help their child transition. Representative Panetta introduced a bill to expand the EFMP to include transgender dependents and specifically lists gender dysphoria as a qualifying medical need for the program.

If you put this out to the everyday American, would they want their tax dollars used for this type of surgery? Would they want their tax dollars--and, by the way, spending money we don't have--going for this.

My amendment ensures that we reserve this valuable program for its original intent, to help families with special needs, and prohibits the use of the program for the provision of or referral for gender transition procedures, such as a gender surgery or for medication. This amendment also prohibits the change of duty station simply for the purpose of providing a child with easier access to these procedures.

Hopefully, we can all agree we should not be using taxpayer dollars to help children get transgender procedures, but, rather, reserve these resources for military families that have children with special needs, chronic illnesses, and educational needs.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, what he just said, I don't think his facts are right. You could take everybody in this balcony and ask if they know members who fall into two classes of people, those with special needs and those where a man wants to be a girl. Line them up. The numbers of the group with special needs would far exceed the numbers of the other, and they are the ones that need the tax dollars, not the ones that want to change their sex.

Now, let me tell you some of the chronic life-threatening conditions that this money should go for and did go for until this idiotic idea of using dollars for the trans. It is life-threatening conditions or chronic, including current chronic mental health conditions, asthma or other respiratory-related diagnosis with chronic recurring symptoms, attention deficit disorder, chronic conditions that require adaptive equipment, including technology and environmental or architectural considerations.

I mean, it is idiotic for him to say that the needs of a huge group of people all over this country will be trumped by the needs for a very few. The trans, I think if you do the math, it is less than 1 percent.

No, I think this is a diversion tactic to just get people away. They are weakening the military. That is why we are down 30 percent in recruitment.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chair, again, I cannot believe we are sitting here debating this issue with all of the problems this country has. The fact that we are taking up this much time is bizarre to me.

The overview of this amendment is the fact that the military's sole purpose is to provide for the defense of our Nation. Our military's focus should be the protection of the American people and our freedoms, not liberals' feelings.

Therefore, my amendment would eliminate any offices of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense.

We should be spending our hard-earned tax dollars to focus on diversity of ideas. We should be focused on diversity of ideas and opinions, not races and genders. DEI programs tend to be ineffective, and the cost to the taxpayer is spending more money that we don't have.

To sum this up, a woke military is a weak military. The fact is that woke ideology undermines military readiness in various ways. It undermines cohesiveness by emphasizing differences based on race, ethnicity, and sex.

It undermines leadership authority by introducing questions about whether promotion is based on merit or quota requirements.

It leads to military personnel serving in specialties and areas for which they are not qualified or ready. It takes time and resources away from training activities and weapons development that contribute to the readiness.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers).

Will the gentleman yield?

It is not.

Correct.

Mr. Chair, this is not about taking away anybody's career. This is not about trying to harm people.

The brave men and women who serve in our military do it because they are a family, and the whole point of this bill, this amendment, is to get the recruiting where it needs to be. We are 30 percent down.

As of today, we have spent $1.4 billion on an equity action plan, and nobody has any idea where that money is going. It is high time that we just cut it out and get back to what the military is supposed to do, which is to protect this Nation.

As Eli Crane said, who has been on the front lines, this country is in trouble. This country has other Nations that want to do harm to us. By eliminating this, we will take the first step in hopefully getting safety back at the forefront.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I would say we do have a difference of opinion on what diversity is. I believe diversity is diversity of new ideas. Diversity is not based on your race or your ethnicity.

That is where we are in this country now. We hire the finest to go into the military not because of the color of their skin and really not because of their sexual preference.

This is just continuing to try to claim everyone is victimized in this country. Well, I am sorry. It is time for us to put the priorities in place.

This administration has been more divisive and is more concerned about ensuring cadets use the right pronouns. How stupid is that? How uncaring is that about the men that are serving?

This administration is more concerned about the government forcing our military to take shots. That is not their role. That is why some of the recruiting is down.

Yes, it is down. We are weak. Why do you think China is doing what they are doing? Why do you think Russia is doing what they are doing?

This would have never happened under a strong administration led by Donald Trump, and to this administration, you don't keep peace by weakness.

The purpose of my amendment will strengthen the military, and that is my first and number one goal, which is the security of this country.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa), my good friend.

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

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

Mr. Chair, what my amendment does is codify the Trump administration's guidance to prohibit the display of unapproved flags.

My amendment prohibits any member of the Armed Forces or civilian employees of the Department of Defense from displaying a flag other than an approved flag in a workplace, a public area, a training facility, or other areas owned or leased by the Department of Defense.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, let me reiterate, flags mean something. We wear flags on our sleeves. We honor it prominently on parade fields. We carry it in combat. We drape it over the coffins of those who have given their lives for this Nation.

Approved flags include the American flag; the flag of a State or the District of Columbia; a general officer flag; a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed civilian flag; a Senior Executive Service and military department-specific flag; a POW-MIA flag; the flag of another country that is an ally or a partner of the United States or for official protocol purposes; the flag of an organization in which the United States is a member; a ceremonial, command, unit, or branch flag or guidon.

In the words of former Secretary of the Army Mark Esper: ``Flags are powerful symbols, particularly in the military community, for whom flags embody common mission, common histories, and the special, timeless bond of warriors.''

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time I have remaining?

Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

I will just sum this up: Flags have meaning. Flags have purpose. Flags are a symbol of a great nation, as America is. Flags mean something. It is not something to be flippant about. It is not something to take lightly.

To my friends on the other side of the aisle, this amendment has nothing to do with medical service. It has nothing to do with a lot of things that have been brought up. This is about having the Department of Defense approve flags before they go up, pure and simple. Nothing else.

I would just say that, as we debate this, I am still amazed that we are spending the time here. I think the diversion that the left wants to provide in the House is to try to move the ball and get the American public off the real problems that we are facing, which are a weakness that we have now under

this administration, which is a denial of where we are as a country.

It is time to take our country back. It boils down to one issue. We are going to preserve our freedom, and we are going to fight for it. A flag represents that.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise to honor one of the greatest heroes our country has ever seen in combat: Major James Capers from Lee County, South Carolina.

Many may not know the story of Major Capers, but his heroic actions during the Vietnam war led him to become the first Black Marine Corps officer nominated for the Medal of Honor, where he ultimately received the Silver Star.

He is not only a hero because of his service in the Marine Corps but also for his unwavering service in the special operations community. Born in Bishopville, South Carolina, during the era of Jim Crow, Major Capers willingly enlisted in the military to serve a nation that did not always have his best interests at heart. That, in itself, is heroism.

After his enlistment, Major Capers was soon selected to join the elite Force Recon Marine Unit, where he excelled. He became the first African American to get a battlefield commission in the Marine Corps Force Recon and was promoted from staff sergeant to second lieutenant, giving him control over the unit.

He is a natural leader. He is a father figure to Team Broadminded, a specialized group of Force Recon Marines. Capers and Team Broadminded were routinely selected to go to the most dangerous and clandestine missions in Vietnam.

Serving in five major campaigns in Vietnam, Major Capers' missions included a POW rescue ordered by President Johnson, amphibious assaults in the DMZ, recovery of a B-57 rumored to have nuclear bombs, and search and destroy patrols in Phu Loc. Team Broadminded conducted these covert missions and countless more, many of which nearly took the life of Major Capers.

In the fall of 1967, still recovering from combat injuries, Major Capers was selected to represent the United States Marines in a national recruiting campaign. A trailblazer for African Americans in the Marine Corps, Major Capers' image, his picture, became the Marine Corps' most popular recruiting campaign.

Sadly, Mr. Capers lost his wife and son to cancer, both of whom are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He still regularly receives visits from his fellow soldiers and other young marines and has served as a mentor for decades in the Marines' special forces community.

Major Capers is soft-spoken. His commendations offer an inspiring view of heroism and self-sacrifice. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor. He has been awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and three Purple Hearts.

Major Capers exemplifies what it truly means to be a hero. It is not the medals but someone who stares adversity in its face and is willing to sacrifice his own life for those of his brothers next to him.

It is my hope that every person of future generations can see and hear the story and be willing to do what he has done, which is to be a hero.

For these reasons, I have offered two amendments to this NDAA. The first would authorize the President to award Major James Capers, Jr., the Medal of Honor for his acts of valor as a member of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam war. The second amendment would establish that it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of the Navy shall name a vessel of the United States Navy the USS Major James Capers, Jr.

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor and privilege to recognize a true American hero, Major James Capers.

Mr. Speaker, I find it humorous, for those watching on TV and for those in the balcony, that they keep talking about President Trump. They won't talk about the current President, Joe Biden.

I am going to start off with a compliment. He has been able to accomplish being the worst President and has replaced Jimmy Carter as the worst President this country has ever had of all time, and it is because of his policies.

I support this going to the Committee on Homeland Security because, as has been said, the border is wide open. The gates are open.

How many more deaths do we have to have? How many more of our young people have to die? Mr. Speaker, there were 100,000 last year of record. As a Border Patrol agent said, there are no drug treatments in a morgue.

How long are we going to have an administration that is going to take the handcuffs and put them on the police?

How long are we going to have an administration that is going to deplete our oil supplies and buy it from countries that don't like us?

How long are we going to have an administration that is going to support abortion regardless of the term? How long?

Ask the average businessowner in this country if he is having a good year or a bad year. Are prices coming up or going down? We have the worst inflation that we have had in a long time, and it simply cannot go on.

The election cannot come quick enough. This man has sold out. This man has to be replaced.

Homeland Security is the right way for this resolution to go because we will get the facts. I fully support it. I thank Mrs. Boebert for taking the lead on this.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly stand with Congresswoman Luna to back this censure of a man that has been long overdue. I am glad the galleries are now open where people can see firsthand that you cannot get up in front of Congress or the American people and completely deny the truth and continue to spread falsehoods.

There is no TV that could have been turned on over the last couple of years when you didn't see Adam Schiff being questioned: Where is your evidence on the Russia collusion? Where is it?

He couldn't answer it. It was always coming.

He used his position on the Intel Committee--and for those of you who are listening, it is information we don't get as regular Congresspeople. He used his position on the Intel Committee to spread continuous lies with no facts. How did he do that?

He had access not only to the most sensitive information, he also did not share the access or facts that backed what he was saying. The trusted and sensitive position was abused by Congressman Schiff to weave purposeful falsehoods around the Russia collusion.

The Mueller report and the Durham report make clear that the foundations of his investigations were bogus. It showed that the Director of National Intelligence, a former Obama Attorney General, former Deputy Attorney General, and the FBI Director, among others, all told his committee there was no direct evidence of criminal conspiracy. Yet, he kept making the statements that his evidence was coming, and it just never did.

Not only did he spread falsehoods that abused his power, he went after a man, Carter Page, who was completely innocent. Inspector General Horowitz found 17 major mistakes.

Inspector General Horowitz later found 17 major mistakes and omissions, which provoked the FISA court presiding judge, Rosemary Collyer, to state unequivocally that the FBI misled FISA.

The public smearing of Carter Page as a Russian collaborator, and justification of spurious investigations of him were carried out with Representative Schiff's contribution. This is a violation of American civil liberties, and it is the very abuse that should not be warranted in Congress.

All this to spend $32 million on an investigation that went nowhere. It is an insult to the American people. The American people deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Congresswoman Luna bringing this up. Words have actions. Just because they continue to say it, does not make it true. That is the case of what Adam Schiff has done.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and the dedicated service of Joseph Costner who entered eternal rest on March 26, 2023.

Throughout the duration of his life, Mr. Costner unfailingly answered the call to serve his country and his community. He was raised in Lawndale, North Carolina, and he joined the Army at the age of 18 where he dedicated the remainder of his life to fighting for the country he loved proudly and profoundly.

First, serving in the Korean war, Mr. Costner later completed two terms in Vietnam, where his unwavering courage resulted in numerous medals of honor, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star.

He eventually retired after 26 years with the rank of chief warrant officer 4 specializing in Army intelligence.

Following his retirement from the Army, Mr. Costner continued to serve his country for the next 17 years with the Defense Investigative Service where he rose to regional director in Roanoke, Virginia.

His dedication to serving his country and his people was perpetual, and he spent the last 27 years of his life with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he prepared taxes free of charge for low-income, disabled, and elderly citizens of his community.

Within Rock Hill, South Carolina, and the greater community, Mr. Costner was widely referred to as a hero, a role model, and most of all, a friend.

He was greatly loved and cherished by his wife of 60 years, Helen; his three children; five grandchildren; great-grandson; and countless friends.

Mr. Costner set the gold standard for over 70 years of service dedicated and committed to his country for which he will long be remembered. For all that, we join in saying good-bye to a hero.

Madam Speaker, as I sit here and listen--I am on the Rules Committee--I hope all those listening in the balcony, what my Democrat friends are saying are just words. My strong belief is that this fentanyl bill, H.R. 467, is a step in the right direction.

The issue that is plaguing this country is the invasion of the border.

Where have we heard one word from my Democrat colleagues about stopping the invasion?

We are a Nation of borders. Every nation is sovereign or you cease to be a Nation. That is where our fentanyl is coming in and it shocks me to keep hearing you say it is coming in at designated points of entry. There are no designated points of entry. The whole border is open.

The lives that were lost due to the drug overdoses that killed 100,000 of our young people last year, why does that not resonate? I have no earthly idea why this administration is intent on keeping our borders open, and they know it.

You got a Vice President who is laughing at it. You got a President who hasn't even been there other than to go on one regulated visit to the border. It is insane, and the American people are tired of it.

In South Carolina, I went to a news conference with police officers. They seized enough fentanyl to wipe out the whole State of South Carolina. What do we hear from the other side? Crickets. We hear nothing, and it is a crying shame of what happens.

Mr. Speaker, I will end with this: A DEA agent who was talking about this problem--he had picture after picture of our young people--said, In the morgue, there are no drug treatment centers. In the morgue, there are no education systems. In the morgue, there are no things to coach people who are in a casket. It is a sad day for America, and hopefully this insanity will end at some point in time when a new administration takes over.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to speak to you today in honor of our police force. What better time to honor the brave men and women of law enforcement. They don't do it for the money. They do it because of service.

What you are hearing from the other side is just not true. They are the party of defunding the police. Their own Vice President put up bond money for rioters. I can name you--and I am not going to name them by name--you have got one, two, three--five sitting Congress people whose statements are ``defunding police means defunding police,'' ``efforts to defund the police department,'' ``no more police.'' They are the party of defunding the police.

What better time to celebrate the fact that men and women are willing to do this? They see things we don't see. They go places we don't go. To have 135 officers shot in 2023 is unacceptable. Fifteen officers have been killed by gunfire, and 43 officers were shot in ambush-style attacks. The amount of officers shot in the line of duty is up 52 percent from this time in 2020.

Words are cheap, but it is what we as a party are doing to support the police. The statistics are outrageous. I look forward to considering legislation that supports our police officers and condemns the leftists' efforts to dismantle local law enforcement agencies, which they do.

To all those in law enforcement, Mr. Speaker, I thank them. For those who are willing to go through good times and bad times to protect us, I thank them. God bless every police officer in this country.

Mr. Speaker, hearing my friends on the other side of the aisle talk, you know, we really are in two different universes. We live in two different universes.

The invasion that is happening at the border has not happened to this country, nor any other country that has survived. For you to make the claim of compassion, where is the compassion for the rapes that are occurring along the border?

Where is your compassion for the farmers?

It took your Vice President--I don't think she has been to the border. It took the President--I don't think he has been to the border where the crossings were really occurring. He went for a photo op.

Mr. Speaker, this is a crisis that no country that has ever had this type of invasion has been able to survive. America is at a crossroads, and this administration is guilty of opening up the borders.

There is no point of entry. That is where most of the illegals are coming that they can't track.

As my good friend from Texas, Congressman Roy, said last night at an 8-hour Rules Committee meeting, the fact is, you don't want border security. You want everybody from every country to come into America. It is not fair for the police. It is not fair for our farmers.

What about our schools that are being flooded? What about The Salvation Army that is being flooded--will be flooded?

What about our hospitals? For anybody and everybody coming into this country, it is not right.

Let's look at some of the figures. By the way, this is the strongest immigration bill that has ever been put forward.

Just over last weekend, there were 26,000 apprehensions; over 7,000 got-aways; over 164 pounds of marijuana; 84 pounds of cocaine; 11 pounds of fentanyl; and three sex offenders. This is just what was caught. What was missed?

We are on track to have over 6 to 10 million illegals in this country that are taking advantage of our citizens, taking advantage of our police force, and taking advantage of those who have lived in this country.

Get the wall built, which this bill does, and at least have some type of knowledge of who is coming.

I have been to the border, and it is a sad sight to see. I have seen what is happening when they load the buses and distribute people all over the country. What about those who have done it legally?

Last August, Biden formally ended President Trump's successful Remain in Mexico program, and within Biden's first 100 days in office, he took 94 executive actions on immigration.

Mr. Speaker, I will just end by saying this is un- American. It is not fair. I don't know how we walk this back, but this bill is something that will protect this country. It will help this country, and it will stop what this President is implementing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work of the Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society (CHAPS) on the occasion of the grand opening of a new wing at the Cherokee County Museum.

The CHAPS is a nonprofit organization founded in 1969. Their mission to ``preserve our region's history and cultural heritage'' is imperative. One of its goals from the start was to create a history museum for Cherokee County, South Carolina.

That goal became a reality in May of 2008, when the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum opened to the public. This May, the organization is excited to open a new wing. The Cherokee County Museum is now home to a vast collection of artifacts presented through interactive exhibits and displays.

The new wing of the museum offers brand new exhibits that will enrich visitors of all ages. The ``Culture Zone'' houses History Galleries, Arches, and Genealogy rooms. The improved ``Kids Zone'' includes a STEM Lab and Arts Experience. The ``Sports Zone'' has a sports Hall of Fame and training room. In addition, an immersive theater allows visitors to travel through space, into the seas, and through time.

Through the hard work of its volunteers and supporters, the Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society has established the improved Cherokee County Museum as a major educational institution to South Carolinians and visitors alike.

From its opening in 2008, to its major expansion today in 2023, thousands of students, community members, and tourists have learned about Cherokee County's unique role in South Carolina's history and culture.

On behalf of the 5th District of South Carolina, it is my most sincere pleasure to recognize the Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society on its long-lasting impact on the community, and its great service of education to our state. Please join me in congratulating the Society on its opening of the newly expanded Cherokee County Museum.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support raising awareness for Barth Syndrome by proposing April 5, 2023 to be known as ``Barth Syndrome Awareness Day''.

Barth Syndrome is a life-threatening ultra-rare disease that effects around 150 individuals within the U.S. In particular, I want to highlight the work of Shelley Bowen who is a constituent of South Carolina, and her amazing work as the founder and former Chair of the Barth Syndrome Foundation, which she started in 2000.

Shelly's activism was born out of necessity when her two sons, Evan and Michael, were diagnosed with heart failure. Shelley spent every spare moment in search of a diagnosis and in 1990, she finally received some answers. Her tireless work and dedication to raise awareness, provide support, and search for a cure has been incredibly profound and admirable.

Please join me in thanking Shelly for her efforts in raising awareness for Barth Syndrome and for founding the Barth Syndrome Foundation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding service of Gray Bobo. Gray is a junior at Indian Land High School and currently serves as the President of the South Carolina Society of the Children of the American Revolution, the oldest patriotic youth organization in the Nation. Children of the American Revolution was founded in 1895 and trains civic-minded citizens, develops strong leaders, and promotes a love of our great Nation. As part of his role in the society, Gray participates in community service projects and learns about his American heritage. He also organized a state project called ``Hanging on the Edge of Freedom'' which supports learning about lesser-known battles and conflicts that took place in South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War.

Many of these lesser-known battles rallied support for the Patriot cause and served as important steppingstones to the Patriot victories that secured our Nation's independence. The courageous men who fought in these battles deserve to be remembered and recognized. Gray has been committed to raising awareness of Hanging Rock Battlefield Park with supporting its interpretive exhibits, leading efforts to clean up the grounds of existing graffiti, blazing hiking trails, and sharing the stories of the men who fought in battle.

Gray's leadership in the Children of the American Revolution organization and his dedication to this project has taught countless others about our rich history and the role South Carolina played in the American Revolution. He rightly believes one of the best ways we can maintain our freedom is by telling the stories of the conflicts, skirmishes, and battles in which our brave patriots first fought for independence. Gray is on track to raise $25,000 for the project, including a $10,000 competitive grant from the SC 250 commission.

On behalf of the 5th District of South Carolina, it is my most sincere pleasure to recognize Gray for his outstanding leadership and service to our state. I wish him the best of luck throughout his future endeavors, as I know he will continue to find great success in all that he does.