Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, our truckers are the heartbeat of America, transporting about 70 percent of the United States freight. We depend on our truckers more than the left cares to admit or realize. Now they want to attack our truckers, even after the trucking industry has come to the table time and time again, Mr. Speaker.

In 1998, one truck emitted what 60 trucks emit today. They have removed 98 percent of what comes out of the tailpipe. Still, the climate activists and converts will continue pushing their radical green deal on Americans invariably and inevitably damaging our economy and making us reliant on, guess who, China.

The Biden administration should be ashamed of taking a page from California's radical playbook to ban gas-powered vehicles. Over 200,000 Texans are heavy-duty and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Now, let me tell you: We don't want the Federal Government messing with our way of life and our livelihoods in Texas. This dangerous EPA rule would increase costs for the trucking industry and, in turn, would increase costs for communities that rely exclusively on trucking for their freight.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of S.J. Res. 11 to reverse the Biden EPA's new burdensome trucking regulations in order to protect small business truckers and to prevent more inflation and supply chain issues. This is a matter of life and death for our truckers.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for his service to the people of Arkansas and the people up here in this very humble institution.

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 5-year anniversary of the shooting in Santa Fe High School where 10 innocent lives were lost at the hands of evil. We will never forget that. We will never forget that tragic day that has forever changed Santa Fe, Texas.

My heart and my prayers still go out to the family and friends of those we lost, and I remain immensely grateful to the law enforcement officers who responded to that scene at their own peril.

Mr. Speaker, it is often a good guy with a gun that stops the bad guy with a gun. In Santa Fe, Texas, it was a brave law enforcement officer. Let me tell you that disarming legal gun owners will never, ever make us safer. There are, however, Mr. Speaker, steps that we can take to secure our schools without infringing on our citizens' Second Amendment rights.

There is no reason why our schools should be soft targets. We clearly have the resources and the means to protect the most precious amongst us, and that is going to be our children and their teachers.

Mr. Speaker, we should do everything we can to help school districts. We can hire armed professional police officers to help protect our schools, the kids, protect their teachers, and the staff.

Following the shooting in Santa Fe, I participated in roundtable meetings to discuss that very thing; namely, enhanced security for our schools. I heard about the need to emphasize safety in school architecture and design. We heard about ways to encourage gun owners to responsibly lock away their weapons, and the ways school marshal programs can ensure that armed and trained personnel are present on those campuses.

In response, I introduced a school safety package, Mr. Speaker. The first bill in that package is the Protect Our Children's Schools Act, which would allow the Secretary of Education to use unspent COVID-19 funds designated for schools and localities to reprogram those funds to make our schools safer against those kinds of attacks. This money would be used to strengthen and enhance security systems already in place at those schools.

The second bill, Mr. Speaker, the Protect Against School Shootings, or the PASS Act, would allow qualified law enforcement officers, retired law enforcement officers, and those permitted by State law to carry a firearm in an otherwise gun-free school zone.

Then there is the School Resource Officer Compensation Act, which would incentivize school districts to hire retired law enforcement officers to serve as school resource officers, or SROs, by exempting the respective school districts from the additional expense of having to pay matching Social Security contributions to anyone desiring to serve in this critical safety role.

Mr. Speaker, it is a win-win-win. Schools get armed and trained by professionals. The schools can hire those professionals at a reduced rate and enjoy the additional savings. The law enforcement officer professionals can continue to serve their communities by protecting those very kids in their communities without financial penalty.

The last bill in the package is the Securing Our Schools Act, which would enhance school security, including doubling school resource officers, hiring more school-based mental health counselors, and expanding the nonprofit security grant program.

Mr. Speaker, I think we all agree that we need to secure our schools to ensure another senseless crime doesn't happen in our communities.

Today, I pray for Santa Fe High School and the families who lost their loved ones. May 18, 2018, will forever be ingrained in me and etched on my heart.

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

Sadly, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I wish we weren't here.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Wickre, a public servant and trailblazer in the science, space, and technology community.

When I got here in 2013, I was put on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee then, and I have been on it a long time. I have got to see a lot of staffers, though I think the gentleman from Oklahoma has, too.

I have had the privilege of getting to know Jenn during my time on the committee. Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, her enthusiasm, her brilliance, and her commitment, as the chairman laid out, were second to none.

Her smile--she always laughed at my jokes. She always laughed at my jokes. I think she was trying to make me feel better. God knows I wish she felt better right now. I wish she felt better.

People don't often realize how impactful folks like Jenn are at drafting and moving the needle on very important legislation that has impacted the science, space, and technology community. Likewise, they don't often recognize or realize what the staff means to us when you have got somebody like Jenn--what a jewel. What an absolute jewel.

She is an avid Oregon Ducks football fan. I don't know why she wasn't for the Dallas Cowboys. I am trying to figure that out. Go Ducks.

She sings in the Congressional Chorus and loves to walk her rescue mutt named Finn. With a lot of the good humor that she had, the dog could have been named Huckleberry Finn for that matter.

All at the young age of 42 Jenn has achieved more than most people do in a lifetime. She should be proud of that, and I promise her that we are not only proud, but we are grateful.

We thank Jenn for the time she has invested in our great Nation, and we want her to know that we are rooting for her, we are praying for her, and we are in her corner.

We expect God to do a miracle from what little power we have in this House of Representatives-- as I believe this country was ordained by God--to the throne of grace that He would heal Jenn.

Cancer sucks, and Miss Jenn is fighting the good fight. I pray she is at peace knowing the positive impact she has had not only in the Halls of Congress but on every single person and staff member she has come in contact with.

Mr. Speaker, I want to urge all my colleagues to keep Jenn and her family in their prayers.

I want to end with a Bible verse from Deuteronomy 3:16 that says: Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified because of them; for the Lord

your God goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

God in Heaven, hear our prayers for the healing of our one great Miss Jenn.

Madam Chair, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Chair, this bill is absolutely critical to our Nation, critical for hardworking Americans, not to mention critical for national security.

We produce energy cleaner, more efficiently, and cheaper than any other country. We need to start acting like it.

The best way to reverse the damage of Biden's energy crisis and drive down energy prices is by flipping the switch and unleashing American energy at home.

We have real solutions in H.R. 1 to do just that very thing.

Bills like Representative Crenshaw's Keeping America's Refineries Act will help ensure that our Nation's refineries can continue to operate and keep the lights on in our country.

My energy-heavy district, as the chairman referred to, houses about 50 percent of Texas' daily refining output. Our district is home to America's largest petroleum refineries, which process 2.6 million barrels of oil a day. This bill will ensure our refineries stay online.

This bill fights back on overburdensome regulations imposed by the Biden administration that target the use of hydrofluoric acid that goes into everything from aluminum cans to vehicle fuel cells.

Our country simply cannot run without energy, and let me tell you: We can't afford to live in the greenies' dystopia that the folks on the other side of the aisle dream about, either.

Madam Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this vital piece of legislation that will unleash American energy, lower energy costs for hardworking Americans, increase production, reform the drawn-out permitting processes, streamline energy infrastructure, and boost the production and processing of critical minerals. Our country depends on it.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials.

Mr. Speaker, I want to celebrate in advance Texas Independence Day on March 2, 1836.

They say everything is better in Texas. Let me just tell you, I am here to confirm that that rumor is true. More correctly, it is no longer a rumor.

We have a saying in Texas, and that goes like this: It ain't bragging if it's facts, and that's the facts about Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to be joined by my good Texas friends from both sides of the aisle to celebrate Texas Independence Day.

On March 2, 1836, that was the day the Republic of Texas was born. During the Texas Revolution, a convention of 59 Texans met at Washington-on-the-Brazos and declared our independence of Texas from Mexico. The declaration decried the arbitrary acts of oppression and tyranny from the Mexican Government under the dictator General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

In particular, it noted that the government had ``ceased to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people from whom its legitimate powers are derived.''

The Texans signing that declaration sought to protect our rights of free speech, our rights to keep and bear arms--sounds familiar--and our rights of freedom of religion.

I am proud to report these same freedoms still hold true in Texas today.

March 2 is a day that all Texans come together and celebrate the calls of ``Come and Take It'' and ``Remember the Alamo.'' We remember and honor the pioneering, independent, trailblazing spirit of the great State of Texas.

Independence has flowed through the veins of Texans ever since. May our thirst for freedom never die, and may we and our offspring always remember that freedom is worth fighting for.

Mr. Speaker, just like those iconic frontier days, we are still at work using what my grandfather--who came over on a boat from Germany, by the way, in 1903--what my grandfather called good old-fashioned Texas horse sense to get the job done. You tell kids that today, ``good old-fashioned horse sense,'' and they look at you funny. They call it common sense. The sad fact of the matter is that common sense isn't very common these days, but in Texas, it is still alive and doing quite well.

Before turning it over to my fellow Texans here tonight, I would like to share two of my favorite quotes from Davy Crockett, who was a Member of Congress from Tennessee. His first quote is: ``I must say as to what I have seen of Texas, it is the garden spot of the world, the best land and best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do so believe it is a fortune to any man to come here.''

Of course, when Crockett ran for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, he got defeated. Then he uttered his second, probably more famous quote. He said to the people who voted him out: Of course, I may not know what you all want to do. I am going to Texas. Y'all can all go to hell.

I am just quoting Davy Crockett, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a Texan and even prouder to represent the great people of Texas here in Washington. As the song says, ``God Bless Texas.''

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), who is also my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, it is now my distinct honor to have one of our newest stars from Texas, Ms. De La Cruz, come share with us.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self), another rising star in the Texas delegation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize another fellow Texan who has been very instrumental in this Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa), a good friend of ours.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks.

Mr. Speaker, a little historic perspective of what Congressman LaMalfa was saying. When you think about how Texas came into the Union, he called it annexation, but the truth of the matter is, Texas came into the Union unlike any other State in the history of the world, really. All the other States were annexed. Texas was a republic, so we came in by treaty. Of course we did. We had to do it our own way.

If you think back to that time, Mr. Speaker, things were happening really fast. After America won its independence in 1781, the battle of Yorktown, some 30 years later, I guess, or 40 years later, Mexico, in 1821, won its independence from Spain. A scant 15 years later, the Texicans, as we were called, won our independence from Mexico.

Now, when Congressman LaMalfa was talking about annexation, how annexation was happening fast--of course, Pete Sessions was right. Texas entered the Union as the 28th State on December 29, 1845. I think about that, Mr. Speaker, from time to time.

What was the legislature of Texas thinking back then when we had a chance to annex the rest of the United States? What were they thinking?

But nonetheless, that is what they did.

It is my distinct pleasure now to bring up another rising star in the Texas delegation, Nathaniel Moran.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. Speaker, I will say all of our speakers today laid out an exact reason why Texans love freedom and why they are willing to fight for freedom at any cost.

We need to be teaching our children that freedom isn't free. I hope we are. Texans get it. Freedom isn't free.

I want to end by saying: May all the United States join us in reclaiming what the song says so eloquently: ``God blessed Texas.'' I say amen and amen.

Congratulations, Texas.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding to me and for his efforts in leading this fight.

Let's get something straight. I am a proud Texan, and let me tell you, Texans are not happy when the government comes after their Second Amendment right.

My District 14, on the Gulf Coast of Texas, has more concealed handgun licensees than any other congressional district in Texas, and I have to assume in the country, for that matter.

The Second Amendment is extremely clear: ``The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'' What is so hard to understand about that?

But, let's face it, folks. The far left's dangerous attack on the United States Constitution continues unabated, with yet another example right here with the ATF's unconstitutional pistol brace rule, which bans millions of firearms with stabilizing braces.

The ATF ruling could turn as many as 40 million Americans into felons, and those 40 million Americans are sick and tired of faceless bureaucrats trying to destroy the Second Amendment.

Mr. Speaker, Thomas Jefferson once said, where the people fear the government, there is tyranny. Where the government fears the people, there is liberty.

I would add, Mr. Speaker, fear the government that fears your guns.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 21.

President Biden, true to his word of a war on fossil fuels, sold off an unprecedented 250 million barrels of oil in less than 2 years, which is more than 40 percent of the stockpile. Two of the four SPR sites along the Gulf Coast are now dangerously low on oil, leaving America more vulnerable to a true energy supply disruption caused by hurricane or natural disaster.

Mr. Chairman, this issue is very personal to me and to my Gulf Coast district. We house 60 percent of the Nation's SPR. So when I say ``personal,'' I mean it.

Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to prevent further abuse of the SPR.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment fails to see that depleting our strategic reserve for nonemergent reasons hurts our ability to help hurricane victims.

The Gulf Coast of Texas, District 14, where I am a Member of Congress, suffers all the consequences of hurricanes. We need to have the stability of a strong SPR. America needs that ability.

Downplaying the role of domestic supply--as it seems the other side is intent on--guts the legislation in several ways.

First, it treats swaps of oil out of the strategic reserve that were not done--were not done--Mr. Chairman, for emergency reasons--as an emergency. For instance, we could lend oil to China for any reason for an indefinite period without a need to explain how we are going to make ourselves whole in the interim, a/k/a, keep our country safe and keep District 14 safe in Texas. This is extremely personal to me.

Second, it takes the lawmaking role from Congress and gives it to the executive branch. Mr. Chairman, I have read the Constitution. I don't think the President is supposed to make laws. I think it is supposed to be up to us in Congress. It gives the DOE, the Department of Energy, power to decide whether or not the law takes effect. That is not their role.

Finally, even though it conditions the effective date on a finding by the Department of Energy, in no way does it require the Energy Department to make a finding of one way or the other.

So this amendment would make this bill worse--absolutely worse. So we would love to see our colleagues say ``no.'' This amendment is not something that we need.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to amendment No. 36.

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to hear the comment that apparently I didn't understand the last amendment. Having grown up on the Gulf Coast of Texas, first, Hurricane Carla, in 1961, I went through that. I think I understand the Gulf Coast of Texas, and I think I understand hurricanes. I have been there a long time.

So I have to rise in opposition to this amendment.

Why?

This amendment fails to see that depleting our strategic reserve for nonemergency reasons could actually hurt our ability to help the American people exactly in those times and those events of a real supply interruption like a hurricane or natural disaster. Lord knows I have lived and been through a lot of them.

This amendment would jeopardize Americans' energy security and energy jobs in several ways. First, it actually creates a loophole to allow ``test sales,'' Mr. Chairman, of oil out of the strategic reserve to be exempted even when it is not an emergency like we talked about on the Gulf Coast of Texas, my home area.

How do we know this?

History teaches us a valid lesson.

For instance, under this amendment, the Biden administration could abuse its authority by using, again, a ``test sale'' to fund a new government program just like President Obama did in 2014.

Second, again, it takes the lawmaking role of Congress and gives it to the executive branch.

I have read the Constitution, too. I have read the Constitution.

It gives the Department of Energy the power to decide whether the law takes effect. That is unbelievable to me, Mr. Chairman.

Finally, even though it ``conditions'' the effective date on a finding by the Department of Energy, the DOE, in no way--in no way-- does it require the Energy Department to make a finding of one way or the other. We could be stuck in limbo for Lord knows how long.

This amendment would make the bill worse, and, indeed, it is a poison pill. For this I urge my colleagues to make a ``no'' vote.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment goes beyond the status quo in even existing law by creating new barriers to oil exploration and development. It is funny because the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is about storing that same oil for our Nation for what is strategic. It is funny that they want to actually put in new barriers.

H.R. 21 is about strengthening that Strategic Petroleum Reserve and our Nation's very energy security by requiring any nonemergency use to be accompanied by a plan, I don't know, to actually produce more American oil reserves.

Why wouldn't we want to do that to make our Nation safe and energy dependent on nobody? That is why we have the SPR, Mr. Chair.

This amendment undermines the purpose of this legislation, and I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, it is interesting to hear this isn't really about energy or we would be talking about more than just a few tanks in the country. That is a really interesting phrase.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is put in for strategic reasons for the entire country, not for political gain.

This amendment would prohibit oil and gas companies from producing on a lease outlined in the leasing plan unless the fossil industry entity submits to the Secretary of Energy a plan to reduce its global warming pollution.

This amendment is simply nothing more than to delay the implementation of H.R. 21. That is all this is. Let's call it what it is. It is not about a few tanks in the country. Really? It is not about that.

Americans are suffering under record-high gas prices that hurt low- income Americans the most, and they want to call that, oh, a discussion about a few tanks in the country. Really?

Families can't put food on their tables. They can't put gas in their tanks. They are struggling to get by. Oh, this is just a discussion about a few tanks in America, that is all.

Mr. Chairman, we have the strongest environmental and safety standards in the world, bar none. Let's let American energy workers do their job, make America safe, and make the world cleaner. Let's pass H.R. 21. Vote ``no'' on this amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, what can I say? To block exports of oil from America--we just reinstated them in December 2015, if I remember correctly. This is nothing more than a delaying tactic to delay and defeat H.R. 21. It is just that simple. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Chair, it is kind of funny that our friends across the aisle don't understand that natural gas burns so clean, and that is one of the reasons America produces energy cleaner than almost every other country in the world.

Now, Democrats are waging war on natural gas. There is no shock, right?

This amendment would limit the leasing plan to only considering oil production, not gas. We have two LNG plants in my district. We ought to be producing as much gas in every facet that we can to help bring down CO2 emissions, indeed helping other countries. This amendment is short-sighted.

Here is a news flash for my friends across the aisle: Oil and gas production are linked. Increasing both oil and gas is imperative.

For that reason, Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment blocks energy production on Federal lands that are not subject to any restrictions.

This is nothing other than another messaging amendment, which is meant to undermine H.R. 21, quite frankly, quite simply stated.

Mr. Chair, we need to be focused on ways to make America more energy. That needs to be our focus. We want to make America more energy secure and lower gas prices for the American people. They want to know Congress is doing that. That is a good message for the American people.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Chair, the diversions, the deflections, and the dereliction of congressional duty by the other side is getting increasingly disappointing, if I can use the ``D'' words.

Congress' duty is to protect Americans and help them with energy prices. The legislation we are considering today is a national solution for a national challenge to prevent national energy emergencies.

We can't arbitrarily remove places from consideration if the best science, technology, and practices can safely and responsibly obtain the energy Americans need to survive through an emergency.

H.R. 21 does not require the Secretary of Energy to drill any specific area. We shouldn't take items off the table before a considered review by the experts has been done.

There is a novel thought. Let the experts look at it, review it. How about that?

Moreover, a plan can be changed as new information comes along, while the mandate in this amendment is inflexible to facts, science, and needs arising from national emergencies.

For that reason, Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

This amendment severely limits the potential for energy production by prohibiting lands within the Outer Continental Shelf from being included in the leasing plan.

Here is a factoid that my colleagues across the aisle need to understand: virtually all oil and gas leasing in the OCS occurs in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil and gas exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf accounts for roughly 15 percent of all domestic oil production and 2 percent of domestic natural gas production.

By actually further limiting this vast resource, are they going to bring American energy prices down?

No way.

If we limit this vast resource we will not--I repeat, we will not--be able to meet the demand for oil and gas.

For that reason, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition.

The Acting Chair. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. Chair, this bill does not require a leasing plan if the Secretary of Energy determines that delaying a drawdown would increase gas prices.

As has been previously stated, the SPR is not supposed to be used to lower gas prices. It is supposed to be used in case of emergencies, for reasons that, I don't know, might be strategic; thus, the name: Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

It is supposed to be used for our national security, another very important strategic reason.

Our friends across the aisle, the Democrats, say they want to lower gas prices when nearly every single one of their energy policies does exactly the opposite.

The way to lower gas prices and keep them low--and I applaud their apparent want and desire to lower gas prices--their aim is a little off target.

The way to lower gas prices, when nearly every single one of their energy

policies is exactly the same, is to change that focus.

Because the way to lower gas prices and to keep them low is to increase American energy production at home, right here at home. That is exactly what H.R. 21 does.

If the Democrats want to support lowering gas prices, I urge them to support this bill. I am glad they want to.

They should support this bill, H.R. 21, to require the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to actually increase energy production for those working Americans that they cited.

For this reason, Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment and a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 21 to decrease energy costs for all Americans.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, this amendment precludes land that has ``no or low potential for oil and gas development'' from being included in the production plan.

I have got news for my friends across the aisle. If lands have ``no or low to no potential for oil and gas development,'' the private sector likely would not seek a lease for that land in the first place.

Regardless, it is not the government's job to make that decision. The government shouldn't be in the business of choosing winners and losers.

Didn't we see that with some other industry out in California a while back?

If it were the government's job to choose winners and losers, we would not have had the Shale Revolution. Look at what that has done for America.

This amendment is unnecessary, and it is vague enough to be abused as a political tool, as we have seen with the current administration with the SPR. We don't want that to keep happening.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment prohibits the leasing plan from providing a financial benefit for any entity that is allowed to make gross income or take a tax deduction on an oil depletion.

Really? They are really going after the companies that are providing energy for Americans, lowering the price of energy?

This amendment is not only punitive; it is literally aimed to hurt American energy and the American energy workers, the families who are working and striving hard to make America energy independent.

Mr. Chairman, the left needs to stop trying to punish the oil and gas industry for trying to produce and unleash American energy independence so that we can increase the supply, which helps American families.

For this reason, Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, this amendment is simply another delaying tactic to delay the effects of the bill until after the Secretary of Energy publishes a report exposing how backlogged the Department of the Interior is on drilling permits. It is nothing more than a delaying tactic that is going to simply hurt American families, American workers.

We already know the answer, Mr. Chairman. There are thousands of permits awaiting action from the Department of Energy for wells that could actually come online and help respond to the energy crisis and help American workers and American families.

There is no need to wait for DOE to issue a study. That is a delaying tactic, especially on matters at the Department of the Interior. It is nothing but a delaying tactic.

For that reason, Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, plain and simple, plain and simple, this amendment is unnecessary and misguided and, not to mention, oh, it strikes the whole bill.

Maybe a lesson is needed for our friends across the aisle. The United States is the world's largest energy producer, in case y'all didn't know that; and combined with our allies, Canada and Mexico, North America is the world's largest energy superpower.

Our network of pipelines, production platforms, and refineries span our borders, providing the American people with energy security that is absolutely unmatched around the world. Let me repeat that: Absolutely unmatched around the world.

Our refineries along the Gulf Coast, which I have the third upper part of the Gulf Coast in the State of Texas, are the most complex and technically advanced in the entire world, bar none. We take crude oil of all grades from around the world and make valuable fuels and refined products that actually drive our entire economy.

This amendment would cut off a valuable source of energy, just like when President Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline.

I think I heard them say that they were about helping American workers, and how many jobs were lost when he canceled the Keystone pipeline.

For that reason, Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment because it will make America less energy secure, the exact opposite purpose of H.R. 21, the bill before us.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have paid attention to the SPR since 2008 when I got elected to the Texas House. As you know, 60 percent of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is housed in my district.

I am pleased to announce that the Independent Petroleum Association of America endorses this legislation put forth by House Republicans aimed at reining in the administration's misuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, or SPR, as we call it.

The SPR was not intended to be used as a political tool to bring down gasoline prices in an election year. Next thing you know, the President will be giving away free college tuition. Oh, he did that, too. This is only a Band-Aid on the overarching situation.

The long-term solution is to enhance, rather than hinder, America's leadership in natural gas and oil production. Our true domestic natural gas and oil reserves, from production to pipelines and through the supply chain, are ready to work, and Republicans' legislation puts them and our American allies at the forefront.

Mr. Speaker, it is my absolute honor and privilege to be here tonight to honor one of our very own, one of our very own Texans, who has been here for 18 years. I am calling this the Louie Gohmert Special Order hour. But when you realize how many hours he has been up here, probably more than anybody else we know, it doesn't seem to be a fitting title.

There is no better way to honor my good friend, Louie Gohmert. If you see the picture over here, he has been on FOX News. He is a great drinker of Dr. Pepper, Peanut M&M's, those are some of the things that Louie Gohmert is known for.

I had a friend the other day that said: Louie can be pushy and obstinate.

I said: Really?

My friend said: Yeah, but he is actually the opposite now; he is obstinate and pushy.

I tell you what, Louie Gohmert speaks his mind. He comes to this floor and says a lot of things, quite frankly, that we are thinking but a lot of people are not gutsy enough to say it.

He has been a true patriot. He is a champion for Texas' First Congressional District, and he is a fighter for everyone's freedoms. We are going to miss him.

Mr. Speaker, can I impose upon the gentleman (Mr. Gohmert) to come down to the front?

He has had quite a distinguished career since before he got into Congress, when he got, what I like to say, demoted to Congress.

Ronald Reagan once infamously said in a campaign: ``I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience.''

Talking about youth, Louie doesn't look like he is 69, does he? But I remember when he did.

I tell you what, he is a great, great friend of ours. Y'all didn't know this was going to be a roast, right? He has been a great, great friend of ours.

Before I ever knew him, I saw him on FOX News much of the time, and I always looked up to him. I knew that he was a man of conviction, that he was a Christian, and that he spoke the truth the way it was. I really looked up to him.

When I came to Congress, I kind of confided in him. I said: Louie, I am beginning to have dreams. I keep seeing talking crickets, talking dogs, talking birds, talking cats, and even talking donkeys and elephants. What is wrong with me? Do you think Congress is pressuring me?

He said: No, no, you are just having Disney spells.

Come on, that was funny, guys.

Louie has always had a great sense of humor. He has always been someone who was so wry and so right on with things. I always love having a conversation with him.

Louie, we appreciate you. I cannot tell you how much we appreciate you and what you have tried to do for Texas, by the way. I hope tonight will show through a little bit and show a lot of our appreciation for you.

You have never backed down from a fight for our freedoms.

You have never backed down from fighting for our democracy.

You have never backed down because sometimes the truth is hard to hear, even when you sent the media into a frenzy, quite a few times.

I always admired that about you. To say that you are going to leave big shoes is an understatement.

Who else in the history--we might want to look this up, Mr. Speaker. Who else in the history of this House has spent 17,340 minutes, 289 hours, and 12 days speaking on the House floor? Who else has done that? Probably nobody but our famous Louie Gohmert.

Louie, you are going to leave a legacy of fighting tirelessly for what is good and right for the people you represent, not just in Texas, but in this country, religious freedom not being the least of those. We appreciate that about you.

You have not only fought tirelessly for the people you represent, but you have fought for every single conservative. There are a lot of people who will never be able to vote for Louie Gohmert, but he voted for them every day, and we appreciate that about you, Louie.

When you leave Congress, you will be known for unapologetically fighting for and leading the conservative movement. Nobody has represented the conservative movement better than you have, Louie Gohmert. I want to tell you, with your stance for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and for Christian values, you leave some really big boots to fill.

Thank you for all your hard work. We have a lot of friends here that want to say good things about you. They won't be as rough on you as I was, probably.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cloud).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Massie).

Thomas, you came in with me in 2012, as I recall.

Just a little bit of history here. In my second term, when Louie Gohmert decided to throw his name in the hat for Speaker, us knowing him, believing to know him and his character, I said, ``I am all in, Louie.''

It turned out I was part of the Gohmert caucus of three that voted for him for Speaker. I paid a price for it, of course, but Louie stood firm. Jim Bridenstine was the other one. Since they vote alphabetically, Bridenstine voted for Gohmert, and Gohmert voted for Gohmert. We already knew who the Speaker was going to be. It gets to the W's. Bridenstine is texting me and saying don't leave us hanging. I said, ``I told Louie I was all on board. I am all on board.'' So Weber put that Gohmert name up there.

Thank you, Thomas, that is a great remembrance. He has been a fighter and was always willing to put himself out there.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. Speaker, I will echo what Congressman Sessions said, that our district loves Louie Gohmert. He was invited to speak. Unfortunately, his calendar wouldn't always permit it, but we did finally get him to come to speak to us.

My District 14 on the Gulf Coast, I am not sure we could have drawn your district that far down to the south, but there are a lot of people who would have sure loved that.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rosendale).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), somebody who is honorable.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Biggs for those kind words. If he will get with me later, I will tell him some of those stories, all that we all admire and cherish about Congressman Gohmert.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins), my neighbor to the east of me.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for speaking. We are going to give the two gentlemen here a chance to express their love for one another.

Mr. Speaker, I have watched Louie Gohmert for a long time. So much could be said about him. So much has been said about him; some of it is even true. Having Louie for one of my very good friends gives me status. You know, I had a friend in the fifth grade that gave me the measles, and this is a lot better deal, let me just tell you that. Louie has got a great sense of humor. He is a great patriot. He is a great Christian. We all know that.

We have seen him stand for our biblical values time and time and time again. Maybe it sounds a little archaic or a little corny, I don't know, but I think of Roosevelt and his great speech. And it is called ``The Man in the Arena'' because, Mr. Speaker, it does apply to Louie Gohmert. He is in our arena. He is our fighter. I remind folks President Roosevelt said: ``It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles; or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

``The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph''--at the best, Louie Gohmert--``the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly . . . ''

My good friend, Louie Gohmert, has not failed, will not fail.

The President went on: `` . . . if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.''

Someone who is heavily involved in a situation that requires courage, skill, or tenacity as opposed to someone sitting on the sidelines and watching, and the President went on.

I will tell you that nothing has discouraged Louie Gohmert. Nothing has laid him down in the defeat of dust as President Roosevelt described it. He has been a tireless fighter. Louie, you and I have been through a lot of battles. We have seen a lot of things. Some of the things we just shake our heads at, but ultimately, we know who is in control.

We know that you have done the Lord's bidding. We know that you fought the good fight. We know that you have endured until the end. We know that you have been a sterling example of what President Reagan called a light on a hill. I forget exactly how he said it, but you are one of those points of light--I think President George H. W. Bush used that analogy--that the rest of us Members in Congress could learn from, that people watching on TV on C-SPAN and out in America could learn from. You never doubted where you stood, never doubted what you stood for or who you stood for.

I can't tell you how proud I am to be called your friend and to know that. We are going to miss you, but I have a feeling you won't be a stranger. We will get to see you come back. If nothing else, I still have to get that rib recipe from you. I still have to get the trademark on that rib recipe from you, the patent on it.

In Texas 14, just like your district, we love God, we love our America, we love our freedom, we love our family, we love our guns, and, Louie, you have done a tireless, tireless, spectacular job of defending all of those, and it shows. We believe what the Bible says, quite frankly. God made males and females, a lot of biblical principles. You have stood up for those principles for our Lord Jesus Christ every bit of the way.

Having been a Texas Supreme Court Justice, if you had told me that on our Supreme Court that some of them wouldn't even know what a woman was, from Texas we just don't get that, do we? We understand what the Bible says.

If you had told me, if you and I sat down 10 years ago, that the left would be trying to destroy fossil fuels, the things that make our country so great, that we fight for so diligently in Texas, I wouldn't have believed it. You and I have watched a lot of things come down the pike, a lot of things come down the pike.

So I can sit here and go all night and all day. I believe we do have the leader coming in eventually to come and share a few words, but, Louie, if you don't mind, I would like to yield you

some time to give your thoughts and let us continue right now to learn from you yet some more.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert), my good friend.

Louie, we don't have enough time to talk about how much time you have actually spent here. It is what your staff said. And it was already pointed out tonight you did such a great job at hiring competent staff, so you better believe it is right. We are proud of you for that.

Mr. Speaker, I want to mention we do have a great love and affection for Kathy, your bride, for loaning you to us. I know it is a sacrifice for her. As you pointed out, we have a great leader.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

I am working on that.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. Speaker, I want the Record to reflect--if I can say this--I am going to get a commitment out of him to get that recipe for those ribs.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments.

It sounds as if your ribs probably need to be trademarked or patented or whatever it takes to get that out. We just can't say enough, Louie. We have got other people. It is amazing that Mrs. Mary Miller would rush over here. I thought when she said that, wow, that is commitment. But then I thought, no, that is love--it is commitment--and that is love for Louie Gohmert. It is respect, it is honor, and it is us wanting to say you are a tower among those people who have ever darkened these doors and been in this place. I can't say thank you enough.

I want the same guarantee that I get the recipe; otherwise, I will have to hack into her computer and get that recipe for those ribs.

I just can't say enough. We have got a couple more people; hopefully, Dr. Brian Babin and Jodey Arrington will be here shortly.

So if you want to take this time, Louie, to lay out all the ingredients, then we can all write it down. But please come share some more from your heart while we wait. We just can't tell you how grateful we are to be able to spend this time with you.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Fulcher).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. Russ is exactly correct. Louie Gohmert has stood strong against abortion. The judge has stood strong against the Green New Deal and the destruction of the fossil fuel industry that makes America great. We have got to have fossil fuel so that our enemies around the world cannot just overrun us with their military might.

Judge Gohmert has fought any attempt to do away with gun rights. He has been a great soldier in that regard.

He has fought against this administration's attempt to keep the borders open and all that that means, whether it is killing 100,000 Americans a year with fentanyl--300 a day. Just imagine, Mr. Speaker, if you would, 300 Americans a day is like two jet airliners going down every single day.

How long do you think it would take for the American public to cry out if there were two jet airliners hitting the ground and killing 150 people on board every day?

You have stood strong against open borders. You have stood strong against Congress' willingness to give away taxpayer dollars. You have stood strong against some Members who want to increase the size of government agencies.

Can you say 87,000 IRS agents?

You stood strong against a big tech that was out of control and wanted protection from liability.

Yes, as Russ and many others have pointed out, you have been a supreme fighter for defending rights of religious liberty, and you have been a supreme fighter against those who would turn America into a socialist country. I can't enumerate that as well as you can and have done so eloquently over the years.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Jefferson County Sheriff's Officer Deputy James Lee, who tragically passed away on July 9, leaving behind a legacy of service to Jefferson County.

Deputy Lee was a marine who started with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in 1973 and was 71 years old when he passed away.

He was known as someone who enjoyed going to work to protect his community, who was tough but always showed compassion.

He leaves behind a wife and son, who will follow in his father's footsteps at the sheriff's office. Though he may be gone, I know that Deputy Lee is still watching over his beloved community and family.

Please join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and service of Deputy James Lee.

Honoring Pat Hallisey

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of a local leader and dedicated public servant who I am proud to call a friend, the

outgoing mayor of League City, Texas, the Honorable Pat Hallisey.

Throughout his 6 years as mayor, Pat's dedication to League City was clear. He maintained a community with high standards of safety, health, and prosperity. He left League City better than he found it.

As mayor, Pat led the city through recovery efforts stemming from the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. And I am proud to have worked with him over the years to revitalize Galveston County's largest city.

On behalf of a grateful community, it is my privilege to honor Mayor Pat Hallisey and his beautiful wife, Janice. Along with her and his family, friends, and colleagues, I want to extend absolute best wishes to Mayor Pat Hallisey in his retirement.

Honoring Judge Mike Nelson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of the Honorable Michael Nelson, or as his friends and family call him, Mike. He has dedicated his life to serving the people of Galveston County.

Judge Mike was born on June 17, 1949, in Gould, Arkansas. At 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, served three tours in Vietnam, and retired from service in 1976. He is married to the former Carol Rotenberry of Santa Fe, Texas, where they raised their four daughters: Sarah Jane, Peyton, Heather, and Michaelia; and four sons: Doug, Michael John, Michael Jr., and Curtis.

Mr. Nelson served as a justice of the peace and a municipal court judge since 1986 in Galveston County.

A true testament to his character, in 2017, he was awarded the Man of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce of Hitchcock.

Mike is a man of purpose, honor, and unwavering determination for the betterment of our community. He has left a positive impact on that very same community.

Judge Mike is a beloved member of his community and a fearless advocate for his constituents, whom he cares for deeply. He always had an open-door policy for any constituent who wished to meet with him. His accomplished record and willingness to serve are evident in his over 35 years of public service.

On behalf of Texas' 14th Congressional District, Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize his exceptional leadership and his example as a true public servant.

I thank Mike for being an incredible leader. He will be remembered for generations to come. He is a man of his word, he is intelligent, he is disciplined, and he treats people with respect. It is an absolute honor to know him.

Celebrating the Life of Bill Neild

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Bill Neild or, as described by a lifelong friend, the John Wayne of Beaumont, Texas. He passed away at age 85 on August 24, 2022, leaving behind a community of friends and family and a legacy of hard work, sacrifice, and service.

Bill was an extraordinary community leader and had a true servant's heart. He served 4 years as the mayor of Beaumont. He was chairman of the board of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Board of Directors of First City Bank, and he served as chairman for many organizations in the city.

He was a man of integrity, and his passion and service to the community was felt, and will continue to be felt, far and wide.

I take this time to honor the life of service exemplified by Mayor Neild. I thank him and his family for their dedication to our fellow citizens on behalf of a very, very grateful 14th District of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of one Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Deputy James Lee, who tragically passed away on July 9, leaving behind a legacy of service to Jefferson County.

Deputy Lee was a former marine. Maybe I should say is a marine because once a marine, always a marine. Deputy Lee was one who started with the

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in 1973 and was 71 years old when he passed.

He was known as someone who enjoyed going to work to protect his community and who was tough but always showed compassion. He leaves behind a wife and a son, who will follow in his father's footsteps at the sheriff's office.

Though he may be gone, I know that Deputy Lee is still watching over his beloved community and family.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and service of one Deputy James Lee.

He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Judge Gohmert for yielding, my friend from northeast Texas. We are going to miss him. He has had quite a distinguished career both before he got into Congress and then when he got demoted to Congress. We appreciate him. I just can't tell you how much we really appreciate him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of country music legend Mickey Gilley. Mickey Gilley passed away Saturday, May 7, in Branson at the age of 86.

Born on March 9, 1936, Gilley was a native of Natchez, Mississippi, where he grew up around his two famous cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart.

In his career, Gilley earned 39 top 10 hits and 17 number one songs.

With six Academy of Country Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and as a member of the 2011 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, Gilley was also one of only a few artists who have also received the Academy of Country Music's Triple Crown Award.

But it was the opening of the country dance club bearing his name that changed the world of country music forever. It was 1971 when Mickey officially opened the doors of his famous honkytonk.

Gilley's reputation grew so much that Hollywood even took notice of the hit movie ``Urban Cowboy,'' where he even made an appearance alongside none other than John Travolta, Debra Winger, and Johnny Lee.

Inspired by the real-life romance of a pair of the club's patrons, ``Urban Cowboy'' put Gilley's on the map, revived music careers, launched others, introduced two-stepping to a whole new audience, and created a lifestyle that has been adopted by millions.

Following his role in ``Urban Cowboy,'' Gilley found himself performing in main showrooms in places like Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe, and Atlantic City, and even traveling to Europe to perform. Gilley even performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Over the decades, Gilley appeared in a number of popular television series, including ``The Fall Guy,'' ``Fantasy Island,'' ``The Dukes of Hazzard,'' ``Murder, She Wrote,'' and ``CHiPs.''

Not only will Mickey Gilley's music live on in the hearts of so many who loved his music, but his cultural influence cannot be overstated.

``Urban Cowboy'' became an American phenomenon, and it was influenced by the real-life stories of Gilley's patrons, Dew Westbrook and Betty Helmer.

``Urban Cowboy'' told the story of a west Texas farmhand who was new to the area and working his first job at a refinery. This film introduced country dance to America and created a lifestyle that has been adopted by millions.

Even more surprisingly, it directly resulted in the most unlikely outcome of all: Country-and-western music became mainstream. Once considered outdated hillbilly attire, cowboy hats and belt buckles became high fashion.

On Saturday, January 29, Mickey came to the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce's celebration, ``The 50th Anniversary of Gilley's and the 42nd Anniversary of `Urban Cowboy.''' It was a great celebration with thousands, and Mickey actually sang for us, to the delight of the crowd. We even presented him with a copy of the tribute that I had done to him right here on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and a plaque commemorating that event.

Mickey Gilley will be missed, but his legacy will live on not only in the hearts and minds of those who loved his music but also in America's love of country-and-western music, Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and, yes, pickup trucks. He has even been featured in the very popular Texas Hot Country Magazine. I know the publisher well, Leon Beck, a great guy.

Gilley was preceded in his death by his wife Vivian, who passed in 2019. He is survived by his wife now, Cindy Loeb Gilley; his children, Kathy, Michael, Gregory, and Keith Ray; his four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and his cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and, I believe, Jimmy Swaggart, although someone told me recently he might have passed already. My deepest sympathies go out to his family.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mickey Gilley for introducing our way of life to the world. He will forever be a legend.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to be here. This is a somber time. Yes, the Senate has sent us something over

again that we never got to really look into before we have to vote in the House.

Madam Speaker, I actually have a bill, H.R. 7909, that I think you all would be interested if I had gotten to speak to it in the Committee on Rules this morning.

It does three things: It says to our law enforcement retired professionals if they want to get a part-time job as an armed resource officer with the school district, they don't have to pay Social Security, withholding taxes, FICA--none of that--that is so they don't get thrown into a higher income tax bracket.

The second thing it does, is it allows schools to hire an absolute professional, a retired law enforcement professional at a reduced rate, because they don't have to match Social Security, withholding, and

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, maintaining and improving our ports, waterways, and water infrastructure is critically important to the 14th District of Texas, as well as to our great State and Nation. Our families, our businesses, and the critical infrastructure along the upper Texas Gulf Coast will benefit from WRDA 2022.

Of particular importance to Texas, and the Nation, quite frankly, is a coastal spine. I have heard it several ways. It will mitigate the impact of major hurricanes and other significant water events in and around Galveston Bay, just south of the Houston Ship Channel, and all the families and the vast petrochemical industry that surrounds it.

In September 2008, Texas 14 was slammed by Hurricane Ike along a track similar to the deadly 1900 Storm of Galveston that cost 5,000 to 8,000 lives and billions of dollars in damage.

The damage from Ike, and the even more catastrophic Hurricane Harvey, could have been reduced significantly by the proposed coastal barrier that we call the Ike Dike. After years and years of pushing for this vital barrier system, I am proud that it is included in WRDA 2022.

While this bill does not reflect all the priorities we might prefer, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill. I, too, add my order of thanks to both sides. This has been a great task, a great staff we have.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of country music legend, Mickey Gilley. Mickey Gilley passed away Saturday, May 7, in Branson at the age of 86.

Born on March 9, 1936, Mickey was a native of Natchez, Mississippi, where he grew up around his two famous cousins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart.

In his career, Mickey earned 39 top 10 hits and 17 number-one songs, with six Academy of Country Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was a member of the 2011 Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Gilley was also one of few artists to have received the Academy of Country Music's Triple Crown Award.

But it was the opening of a country dance club bearing his name that changed the world of country music

forever. It was 1971 when Mickey Gilley officially opened the doors of his famous honky-tonk, Gilley's.

Gilley's reputation grew so much that Hollywood even took notice with the hit movie, ``Urban Cowboy''--some of y'all have probably seen it-- where he even made an appearance alongside John Travolta, Debra Winger, and Johnny Lee.

Inspired by the real-life romance of a pair of the club's patrons, ``Urban Cowboy'' put Gilley's on the map, revived music careers, launched other careers, introduced two-stepping to a whole new audience, and created a lifestyle that has been adopted by millions.

Following his role in ``Urban Cowboy,'' Mickey Gilley found himself performing in the main showrooms in places like Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe, Atlantic City, and even traveling to Europe to perform. Gilley even performed for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Over the decades, Gilley appeared in a number of popular television series, including ``The Fall Guy,'' ``Fantasy Island,'' ``Dukes of Hazzard,'' ``Murder, She Wrote,'' and ``CHiPS.''

Not only will Mickey Gilley's music live on in the hearts of so many who loved his music, but his cultural influence cannot be understated. ``Urban Cowboy'' became an American phenomenon, and it was influenced by the real-life stories of Gilley's patrons Dew Westbrook and Betty Helmer. ``Urban Cowboy'' told the story of a west Texas farmhand new to the area and working his job at a refinery.

This film introduced country-western dance to America and created a lifestyle adopted by millions. Even more surprisingly, it directly resulted in the most unlikely outcome of all, country-western music becoming mainstream. Once considered outdated hillbilly attire, cowboy hats and belt buckles were back in, and they became high fashion.

Recently, on Saturday, July 29, Mickey Gilley came to the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce's celebration: ``The 50th Anniversary of Gilley's and the 42nd Anniversary of Urban Cowboy.'' It was a great celebration with thousands, and Mickey sang for us, delighting the crowd. We even presented him with a copy of a tribute I did to him on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and a plaque commemorating the event.

Mickey Gilley will be missed, but his legacy will live on not only in the hearts and minds of those who loved his music, but also in America's love for country music. Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and pickup trucks will all be remembered because of him. Mickey Gilley has even been featured in the popular ``Texas Hot Country Magazine.''

Gilley was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian, who passed in 2019. He is survived by his wife, Cindy Loeb Gilley; his children, Kathy, Michael, Gregory, and Keith Ray; four grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; and his cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart.

Thank you, Mickey Gilley, for introducing our way of life to the world. You will forever be a legend.

Mourning the Loss of Ken Clark

Madam Speaker, I have one more notable who has passed in our great district, so will also commemorate him.

I rise today to mourn the loss of our great Galveston County Precinct 4 Commissioner, Ken Clark. He was Galveston County's longest-serving elected official. Ken had become a commissioner in 1998, and he has been an active member of our community for even longer.

Ken has been an instrumental community leader for several decades and a dedicated public servant. In his time, he has served on the State Republican Executive Committee, he has served as Sergeant at Arms of the Republican Party of Texas, he has served as Galveston's Municipal Utility District president, and received the Republican Party's Volunteer of the Year award. Ken also worked extensively with a wide variety of community organizations and tirelessly worked to improve the lives of those who lived in Galveston County.

I first met Ken when he worked on former Congressman Steve Stockman's campaign. Ken was a go-getter, a great conservative, and a great Republican back then and even more so now. Ken was a devoted public servant, a husband, a father, and a mentor. He loved Jesus Christ, and it showed.

Commissioner Clark, you will be sorely missed, but we will see you again. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your wonderful wife, Sherry, and y'all's seven children.