Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Command Sergeant Major Bryant Lambert for his induction into the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame on September 28, 2022.

The 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame began in 2018 to honor the division's 101 years of legendary service and its members. It honors veteran paratroopers who are nominated for their service within the division, their commitment to the division's values, their contributions to their chosen field outside of their division, or any other valorous combat actions.

A brief look at Command Sgt. Maj. Lambert's career accomplishments only begins to adequately describe the importance of his military service. In his 26 years with the 82nd Airborne Division, he has held every rank and position in the division from rifleman to command sergeant major. He began as an infantryman in the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Brigade's 508th Infantry Regiment and later served in the division's 1st Brigade, 2-504 PIR and 3rd Brigade, 1-505 PIR before becoming the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's regimental command sergeant major. In 2010, he advanced to become the 82nd Airborne Division command sergeant major where he later served as the senior enlisted advisor for Regional Command-South and Combined Joint Task Force-82 during Operation Enduring Freedom. While in the military, Command Sgt. Maj. Lambert completed training programs at the U.S. Army Airborne School, the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School, and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy that contributed to his success and led him to serve in numerous other units at military bases across the country. He also completed many deployments, including three tours in Afghanistan, two tours in Iraq, and singular tours in Grenada, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti. He retired from the Army in 2018.

In the words of the former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Gen. Erik Kurilla, ``the All American Hall of Fame is about preserving our legacy and paying homage to our All American Legends.'' Command Sgt. Maj. Lambert's selfless service could not be more deserving of such recognition. I know I speak for all in our community and Nation in thanking Command Sgt. Maj. Lambert for his committed service and leadership in the 82nd Airborne Division and our nation's military more broadly.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring and congratulating Command Sergeant Major Bryant Lambert for his induction to the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Gerald A. Wolford who was inducted into the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame on September 28, 2022.

The 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame began in 2018 to honor the division's 101 years of legendary service and its members. It honors veteran paratroopers who are nominated for their service within the division, their commitment to the division's values, their contributions to their chosen field outside of their division, or any other valorous combat actions.

A brief look at Cpt. Wolford's career accomplishments only begins to adequately describe the importance of his military service. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 2000 to 2006. As a staff sergeant deployed to Iraq in 2003, the gun section of Cpt. Wolford's Company D, 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry came under fire during a river crossing in As-Samawah, Iraq. Unable to suppress with small arms, Cpt, Wolford silenced the position using a non-standard tactical vehicle and anti- tank weapon. He received the Silver Star for demonstrating outstanding valor and personal courage while serving as a Heavy Machine Gun Section Leader during a battalion river crossing in As Samawah, Iraq. As his unit approached the city, a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle, wounding two paratroopers. Cpt. Wolford moved the wounded paratroopers to safety before his vehicle was struck a second time when escorting a dismounted squad to a forward position. Cpt. Wolford continued directing section fires and engaging the enemy when a third rocket-propelled grenade detonated near his truck, and a fourth grenade passed over his head. For his actions, Cpt. Wolford was awarded the Silver Star and selected as the 2003 USO Soldier of the Year. He commissioned into the infantry branch in 2006 and finished his career as an information operations officer at the Department of the Army Headquarters in the Pentagon.

In the words of the former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Gen. Erik Kurilla, ``the All American Hall of Fame is about preserving our legacy and paying homage to our All American Legends.'' Cpt. Wolford's selfless service could not be more deserving of such recognition. I know I speak for all in our community and Nation in thanking Cpt. Wolford for his committed service and leadership in the 82nd Airborne Division and our nation's military more broadly.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring and congratulating Captain Gerald Wolford for his induction to the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Command Sergeant Major Wolf Amacker for his induction into the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame on September 28, 2022.

The 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame began in 2018 to honor the division's 101 years of legendary service and its members. It honors veteran paratroopers who are nominated for their service within the division, their commitment to the division's values, their contributions to their chosen field outside of their division, or any other valorous combat actions.

A brief look at Command Sgt. Maj. Amacker's career accomplishments only begins to adequately describe the importance of his military service. Having served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1996 to 2006, Command Sgt. Maj. Amacker has held every leadership position in the airborne field artillery. In 2001, he rose from his role as commandant for the 18th Airborne Corps Noncommissioned Officer Academy to become the 21st command sergeant major for the 82nd Airborne Division. To assist with Operation Iraqi Freedom, he then deployed to Iraq and established the first Iraqi Training Center for the purpose of training Iraqi nationals. This successful initiative brought greater security to the conflict in the ``Sunni Triangle.'' In total, Command Sgt. Maj. Amacker conducted 319 missions while he was a member of the 82nd Airborne. When retired from his position as command sergeant major in 2006, he continued to serve the division as the inspector general, chief of investigations prior to becoming the chief of operations for range control at the Fort Bragg Garrison in 2009. He has served as the installation range officer since 2015 where he upholds the important duty of training the division's paratroopers for any global conflicts they may be called to address.

In the words of the former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Gen. Erik Kurilla, ``the All American Hall of Fame is about preserving our legacy and paying homage to our All American Legends.'' Command Sgt. Maj. Amacker's selfless service could not be more deserving of such recognition. I know I speak for all in our community and Nation in thanking Command Sgt. Maj. Amacker for his committed service and leadership in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring and congratulating Command Sergeant Major Wolf Amacker for his induction to the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 1st Lieutenant Waverly Wray for his induction into the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame on September 28, 2022.

The 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame began in 2018 to honor the division's 101 years of legendary service and its members. It honors veteran paratroopers who are nominated for their service within the division, their commitment to the division's values, their contributions to their chosen field outside of their division, or any other valorous combat actions.

A brief look at 1st Lt. Wray's career accomplishments only begins to adequately describe the importance of his military service. 1st Lt. Wray was a member of the 505th Infantry Regiment, which was assigned to the 82nd Airborne in 1943, where he served as a platoon leader and executive officer for Company D, 2nd Battalion from 1940 through 1944. He demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage in World War II in both Operation Overlord in Normandy and Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. Under siege from two reinforced Nazi battalions at Sainte- Mere-Eglise which greatly weakened his battalion, 1st Lt. Wray moved to the front of his lines and successfully eliminated the source of heavy machine gun fire as well as killed a total of 15 enemy soldiers. Furthermore, he later conducted a surveillance mission on which he discovered enemy headquarters, killed all eight Nazi officers there, and further secured the safety and position of his own unit. Sadly, 1st Lt. Wray was killed later in World War II during Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands in 1944. His heroic actions in service to our nation earned him numerous decorations, including a Distinguished Service Cross and a Silver Star among other awards.

In the words of the former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Gen. Erik Kurilla, ``the All American Hall of Fame is about preserving our legacy and paying homage to our All American Legends.'' 1st Lt. Wray's selfless service could not be more deserving of such recognition. I know I speak for all in our community and Nation in thanking 1st Lt. Wray for his committed service and leadership in the 82nd Airborne Division and our nation's military more broadly.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring and congratulating 1st Lieutenant Waverly Wray for his induction to the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Benjamin H. Vandervoort for his induction into the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame on September 28, 2022.

The 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame began in 2018 to honor the division's 101 years of legendary service and its members. It honors veteran paratroopers who are nominated for their service within the division, their commitment to the division's values, their contributions to their chosen field outside of their division, or any other valorous combat actions.

A brief look at Col. Vandervoort's career accomplishments only begins to adequately describe the importance of his military service. Col. Vandervoort was a member of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was assigned to the 82nd Airborne in 1943, from 1940 to 1945 and held many important ranks over the course of World War II. Specifically, he served as the regiment's operations officer during the United States' invasion of Sicily and Salerno and as the commander of the regiment's 2nd Battalion during the invasion of Normandy in 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge later that year. In the latter, he led his battalion into the fray in the cities of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Nijmegen, and Bastogne. Perhaps most impressively, he also orchestrated and performed an assault on the Waal bridge in the Netherlands during this conflict. On account of his courage, bravery, and spectacular leadership in this episode, he received Oak Leaf Clusters for his Distinguished Service Cross and two Oak Leaf Clusters for his Purple Heart. Although injuries from his time in the 2nd Battalion forced him to medically retire from the Army in 1946, he continued to work to bolster our national security in his capacity as a civilian by working for the CIA and U.S. Army staff.

In the words of the former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Gen. Erik Kurilla, ``the All American Hall of Fame is about preserving our legacy and paying homage to our All American Legends.'' Col. Vandervoort's selfless service could not be more deserving of such recognition. I know I speak for all in our community and Nation in thanking Col. Vandervoort for his committed service and leadership in the 82nd Airborne Division and our nation's military more broadly.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring and congratulating Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort for his induction to the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant General Raymond Mason for his induction into the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame on September 28, 2022.

The 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame began in 2018 to honor the division's 101 years of legendary service and its members. It honors veteran paratroopers who are nominated for their service within the division, their commitment to the division's values, their contributions to their chosen field outside of their division, or any other valorous combat actions.

A brief look at Lt. Gen. Mason's career accomplishments only begins to adequately describe the importance of his military service. Serving in the 82nd Airborne Division for 15 years from 1983 through 1998, Lt. Gen. Mason commanded both Company E, 407th Supply and Services Battalion and the 407th Support Battalion. He also held numerous positions in the division where he provided important logistical support that greatly advanced operational possibilities for combat commanders. Specifically, he served as the division support command operation officer for Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada and both the assistant chief of staff and deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Forces Command and the Army. In addition to his accomplishments with the 82nd Airborne Division, he provided dutiful leadership and service in other units and positions until his retirement in 2014. Even in retirement, Lt. Gen. Mason has continued to serve our military as the director of the Army Emergency Relief Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides support to the Army.

In the words of the former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Gen. Erik Kurilla, ``the All American Hall of Fame is about preserving our legacy and paying homage to our All American Legends.'' Lt. Gen. Mason's selfless service could not be more deserving of such recognition. I know I speak for all in our community and nation in thanking Lt. Gen. Mason for his committed service and leadership in the 82nd Airborne Division and our nation's military more broadly.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring and congratulating Lieutenant General Mason for his induction into the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor General Curtis `Mike' Scaparrotti for his induction into the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame on September 28, 2022.

The 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame began in 2018 to honor the division's 101 years of legendary service and its members. It honors veteran paratroopers who are nominated for their service within the division, their commitment to the division's values, their contributions to their chosen field outside of their division, or any other valorous combat actions.

A brief look at Gen. Scaparrotti's career accomplishments only begins to adequately describe the importance of his military service. He began his service to the 82nd Airborne Division as a platoon leader, operations officer, and company commander in the 3rd Battalion of the 325th Infantry. From 1999 to 2001, he then served as commander of the 82nd Airborne's 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Perhaps most impressively, in 2008 he advanced to become the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division where he directed division headquarters' deployment to Eastern Afghanistan. He served in this position until 2010 and simultaneously served as commander for the Combined Joint Task Force-82 and Regional Command East. In addition to his accomplishments with the 82nd Airborne Division, he provided dutiful leadership and service in many other units and positions. A few of such contributions include his command in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In 2019, Gen. Scaparrotti retired from the military after serving as the commander of European Command.

In the words of the former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Gen. Erik Kurilla, ``the All American Hall of Fame is about preserving our legacy and paying homage to our All American Legends.'' Gen. Scaparrotti's selfless service could not be more deserving of such recognition. I know I speak for all in our community and Nation in thanking Gen. Scaparrotti for his committed service and leadership in the 82nd Airborne Division and our nation's military more broadly.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring and congratulating General Mike Scaparrotti for his induction to the 82nd Airborne Division's Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 426.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022.

Here they go again.

Once again, my colleagues across the aisle have rushed to exploit your fear and the pain of victims to rush out a gun control measure that will do nothing to save lives or address the root causes of violence.

I say, ``exploit your fear,'' and I point to the Speaker of the House just stood in this well with a poster that had a toy gun on it and wants you to feel scared about that. Well, I have a 6-year-old son, and he has toy guns. He knows about muzzle discipline. He knows you don't put your finger on the trigger. He knows you don't point it at people. I am able to teach my son gun safety and make him safer.

You don't live through fear. This and other gun control measures like red flag laws, they make the other side feel better, but today's bill will do nothing but disarm law-abiding citizens.

Congress has tried this before. In 1994, a 10-year assault weapons ban was first enacted. This ban did not stop violent crime or prevent heart-wrenching tragedies like Columbine. Yes, Columbine happened while we had an assault weapons ban.

In fact, after the ban ended, the Department of Justice issued a report that concluded: ``Should it be renewed, the ban's effects on gun violence are likely to be small at best and perhaps too small for reliable measurement. Assault weapons were rarely used in gun crimes even before the ban.'' That is the Department of Justice.

The results are in, folks. A so-called assault weapons ban does not work. But what it does is it takes away your rights and it leaves you vulnerable.

The simple truth is criminals don't follow the law. Think about this: If

criminals followed the law, we wouldn't have any crime. But when you criminalize guns, only criminals are going to have guns.

So I urge you to vote ``no'' on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, law-abiding Americans are sick and tired of these political games that exploit the pain of victims of shootings but do not work and seriously threaten your rights and your safety.

So today, I urge my colleagues to oppose this unconstitutional ban and ineffective gun control measure.

Instead, I ask you again to please work with me to actually address the root causes of violence.

We can pass bills like my STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children Act today, which would protect schools, improve mental health, and save lives.

We have solutions that work . . . without taking away your rights.

So I urge my colleagues to vote no.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the House Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Kannapolis Police Sergeant Travis Smith on being recognized as the 2021-2022 North Carolina Police Officer of the Year.

A native of Cabarrus County, Sergeant Smith graduated from Northwest Cabarrus High School in 1999 before joining the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 2000. He was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and served in the United States Army Reserves upon completing his assignment. In 2006, Sergeant Smith started with Kannapolis Police Department as a patrol officer. He became a Field Training Officer in 2014 and was later promoted to Sergeant in 2016. He continues to provide extraordinary service to his community as a member of Patrol Squad D.

Over the course of this career, Sergeant Smith has continuously demonstrated the highest level of sacrifice and bravery as a member of both the military and law enforcement. In 2013, he was awarded a Life Saving Award for rescuing a civilian from their burning home. His courageous action resulting in this previous distinction highlights just one example of his unassailable commitment to protecting and defending the residents of Kannapolis.

The North Carolina Police Officer of the Year award is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization. Sergeant Smith was nominated by Kannapolis VFW Post 8989 and selected from a statewide field of qualified police officers. In being recognized as the 2021- 2022 National Police Officer of the Year, Sergeant Smith is now also recognized as a National VFW Police Officer of the Year. Sergeant Smith has made an immeasurable impact on our community and is incredibly deserving of these distinctions. I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and wish him success as he continues to serve and set an example for all in our community.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Sergeant Travis Smith as the 2021-2022 North Carolina Police Officer of the Year and wish him well as he continues his exemplary service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so that we can immediately consider my bill, H.R. 7966, the STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children Act.

It is an honor to be here today. In fact, what an honor that the people of North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District have bestowed upon me to allow me to be their Representative here in the United States Congress.

As I walked the Halls of this Capitol building this morning, I couldn't help but think of the great American patriots who have served here before us.

I think about the patriots who came before, who pledged their lives, their property, and their sacred honor so that we could live in the freedom and prosperity we enjoy today. People like Patrick Henry, who famously said: ``Give me liberty or give me death.''

The courage of our Founders, the faith, the strength of their convictions, the belief in an ideal--indeed, an idea--that all people are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights. And they devised a Constitution that protects and guarantees these rights. It is an incredible thing to think about, the legacy they have left in the hands of this, the 117th Congress. Each one of us swore an oath when we accepted this office. It wasn't an oath to a person or a political party. It was an oath to defend the Constitution.

The issue before us today is what can we do--no, what should we do when faced with the challenge before us, this epidemic of children taking the lives of other children in our schools?

Every single one of us grieves for the lives taken. As the father of an elementary school child, my heart aches for the lives lost and the unimaginable pain and grief felt by those who love them. Neither party cares more about this. Neither political party has a monopoly on wanting to do something.

That is why Republicans have come to the table with ideas that will actually get to some of the root causes of this violence. More than 12 pieces of legislation have been introduced by Republican Members of this House to strengthen background checks, to improve law enforcement coordination and response, to address the mental health needs of our children, to make schools safer, and to prevent this violence.

To date, my colleagues across the aisle have been unwilling to engage with us, to seek consensus, to work together to solve this problem.

Just a few weeks ago, the majority party brought forth a package of gun control measures. This legislation targeted the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. This legislation did nothing to address the security in our schools. It did nothing to provide better mental health resources to improve the ability of school officials and law enforcement to intervene with these children in crisis. But it did let a lot of people around here feel better, because they could go home and say: We did something.

Over in the Senate, they aren't even considering this reckless package of bills. But Republicans and Democrats in the Senate did attempt to work together to find a solution, and there are many things that I like about this Senate legislation. In fact, I am flattered that they use much of the mental health and school safety provisions from my legislation. But as much as we feel the need to do something to tackle this problem, we cannot forget that oath that we all took on the first day of this Congress.

Our highest calling as a Member of Congress is to defend the Constitution. And that is where this legislation sent to us by the Senate falls short. This open-ended gun control legislation opens the door to Federal funding of State red flag laws. First of all, these laws don't work.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a list of 12 mass shootings that have taken place in States that already have red flag laws.

``Red Flag'' Failures

May 14, 2022, Buffalo, N.Y.

Payton S. Gedron, 10 fatalities

New York's ``Red Flag'' law went into effect August 24,

2019

May 26, 2021, San Jose, Calif.

Samuel Cassidy, 9 fatalities

California's ``Red Flag'' law was enacted in 2016

April 15, 2021, Indianapolis, Ind.

Brandon Scott Hole, 8 fatalities

Indiana's ``Red Flag'' law went into effect in 2005

March 31, 2021, Orange, Calif.

Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez, 4 fatalities

California's ``Red Flag'' law was enacted in 2016

March 22, 2021, Boulder, Colo.

Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 10 fatalities

Colorado's ``Red Flag'' law went into effect January 2020

December 10, 2019, Jersey City, N.J.

David N. Anderson and Francine Graham, 4 fatalities

New Jersey's ``Red Flag'' law went into effect September 1,

2019

July 28, 2019, Gilroy, Calif.

Santino William LeGan, 3 fatalities, 12 injured

California's ``Red Flag'' law was enacted in 2016

February 15, 2019, Aurora, Ill.

Gary Martin, 5 fatalities

Illinois's ``Red Flag'' law went into effect January 1,

2019

January 23, 2019, Sebring, Fla.

Zephen A. Xaver, 5 fatalities

Florida's ``Red Flag'' law took effect March 2018

November 7, 2018, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Ian David Long, 12 fatalities

California's ``Red Flag'' law was enacted in 2016

September 12, 2018, Bakersfield, Calif.

Javier Casarez, 5 fatalities

California's ``Red Flag'' law was enacted in 2016

November 14, 2017, Rancho Tehama, Calif.

Kevin Janson Neal, 5 fatalities

California's ``Red Flag'' law was enacted in 2016

Madam Speaker, the State with the most mass shootings is California. California has the most restrictive gun laws in America. California already has a red flag law. But more important to this debate, red flag laws subvert due process protections and threaten the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

Why would we agree to borrow more money that we don't have so the Federal Government can give it to States to enact laws that don't work and that actually threaten the rights of our citizens?

Why would we do that?

Second, this legislation singles out law-abiding citizens under the age of 21 by giving the government discretion to delay, for any reason, their constitutionally protected right to a firearm--a right, by the way, affirmed, yet again, by the Supreme Court just yesterday.

We all want to keep firearms out of the hands of people that shouldn't have them, and I am willing to consider ways to better identify people with mental health challenges, but I can't help but think about that 20-year-old paratrooper stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Our Nation entrusted him to defend us with an automatic weapon or a multimillion-dollar-weapon system, but we can't trust him with a semiautomatic weapon to defend themselves in their own home?

What about the 20-year-old spouse back home in Spring Lake, North Carolina, alone because our paratrooper has deployed in service of our Nation. Are we to tell this spouse that the government doesn't trust you to defend your home?

Instead, we are going to delay your purchase for 10 days. At the end of the 10 days, the government doesn't even have to get back to the gun owner or the gun store. Let that gun dealer decide if they want to take a risk on selling you this firearm while an FBI investigation is still open.

No, this is a de facto ban on gun sales to law-abiding citizens under the age of 21.

Third, this legislation also broadens firearm prohibitions for misdemeanors and nonviolent offenders. I think most of us can agree, someone convicted of beating up their spouse ought to be put on the background check system. The law extends this to misdemeanor assault on a spouse or someone with whom you share a child. But we have to be careful when we are talking about taking away a constitutionally protected right over other misdemeanors.

The language of this bill is so broad it can include nonviolent offenders, and I am concerned that the due process protections are simply not there.

So what are we proposing today? Let's set aside these controversial unconstitutional provisions that divide us. Let's unite around the idea that we are going to tackle the real causes of this violence. These school shootings are almost always done by a young male, often from a single-parent or no-parent home. They have experienced some trauma in their life. Most are likely on some behavioral medication, and they have shown plenty of signs of being in crisis. Yet, effective intervention and mental health treatment did not happen.

So let's start there. Today, I rise to propose we defeat this previous question and replace the Senate language with H.R. 7966.

This legislation builds on the STOP School Violence Act signed into law in 2018 by providing a billion dollars in grants to hire more school resource officers. It provides $1 billion to hire mental health guidance counselors so that schools have the resources to intervene with these children in crisis.

Imagine, if we had been able to intervene with the shooter in Uvalde before he dropped out of high school.

This legislation includes $5 billion to fund STOP School Violence programs to make schools safer, to provide active shooter training to law enforcement, and to better equip school officials and students and law enforcement to intervene before one of these students reaches the breaking point. This $7 billion is paid for by redirecting unspent COVID-19 funds that have already been approved.

Also, under my legislation, schools can apply for a threat assessment to identify weaknesses in their security and to assess the mental health services at the school. We would also codify a clearinghouse at Homeland Security to collect and share best practices for school safety. These are practical, commonsense solutions that we should all be able to agree will have a real impact.

Madam Speaker, I agree with my friend. Now is our moment. Today, we can come together--Republicans and Democrats--and really address these issues in a meaningful way. We can do this while at the same time keeping the promise made by the sacrifice and the courage of our Founders by upholding our pledge on the first day in office to defend this Constitution.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against the previous question so we can immediately consider this important legislation. God bless you.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Army General Michael X. Garrett for 38 years of dedicated military service, culminating with more than three years of distinguished service as the Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Gen. Garrett personifies a life of service. The son of an Army command sergeant major decorated for valor in the Vietnam War, Gen. Garrett began his own Army career in 1984 as an Infantry officer and served his first assignment within the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) where his father also served as the division's senior noncommissioned officer.

Gen. Garrett went on to serve his formative years as a lieutenant, captain, and major in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, where he wore the scrolls of the regimental headquarters and each of its three ranger battalions. He was in command of an airborne infantry battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Sept. 11, 2001, when our Nation was thrust into the longest period of war in its history. Through these years of combat, Gen. Garrett led America's sons and daughters through multiple deployments in the Middle East, including his first to Afghanistan less than a year after Sept. 11 as a member of Fort Bragg's XVIII Airborne Corps, and later as commander of a newly formed Alaska-based airborne brigade which fought valiantly through 15 months of heavy combat in Iraq. As a general officer, he has led service members preparing for and serving in war from influential positions of responsibility, including as XVIII Airborne Corps and U.S. Central Command chief of staff, and as commanding general of U.S. Army Alaska, U.S. Army Central, and U.S. Army Forces Command.

On account of his exemplary service, Gen. Garrett has received many of our nation's most impressive distinctions and awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, and the Bronze Star Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, among many others. He is a proud Ranger, paratrooper, and Soldier, and has been named a Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Gen. Garrett represents the best our nation has to offer, and we will look up to his leadership for generations to come.

As Fort Bragg's Congressman, I know I speak for our Nation and community when I say we are truly grateful for Gen. Garrett's exceptional service. I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and wish him and his family success in all their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of American Legion Post 12, located in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. Since its founding on June 26, 1922, Post 12 has made countless contributions to our community.

Over the years, Post 12 has been a fierce advocate for veterans' affairs and rehabilitation, national security, Americanism, and our children and youth. These Four Pillars of the American Legion serve as a guiding light for the organization and pervade all aspects of Post 12's philanthropic work.

Composed of service members, veterans, and military families, Post 12 represents the best our nation has to offer. I am proud to represent a district that has a strong military presence and is home to some of the bravest patriots in the country. Not only did these men and women serve our country while in uniform, but they also continue to give back to our community's robust veteran population.

Post 12 ensures our men and women in uniform have the resources and support they need throughout and after their service through local advocacy and assistance with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Furthermore, Post 12 serves as a community leader in Graves Registration by assisting concerned parties locate veterans' gravesites and maintaining a burial lot for kinless servicemen. It is also a principal sponsor for many community service initiatives and youth academic scholarships.

I know I speak for our entire community in offering my most heartfelt gratitude to American Legion Post 12 for their century of service. The exemplary men and women of Post 12 are the heart and soul of our community and I wish them continued success in their service going forward.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in recognizing the 100th anniversary of American Legion Post 12.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Major General Gary Harrell for 35 years of extraordinary military service and his recent induction as a Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment by the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

Maj. Gen. Harrell has made immeasurable contributions to our great Nation and continues to personify the core U.S. Army values of honor, integrity, personal courage, and selfless service. He began his career in 1973 with the 82nd Airborne Division and retired in 2008 as the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Over the course of his remarkable career, Maj. Gen. Harrell served as a special operations action officer, deputy commander, commander, and director among other positions in military operations around the globe. In some of his most notable assignments, he helped rescue American hostage Kurt Muse in Panama as part of Operation Just Cause, deployed with Joint Special Operations Command in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, served as Commander of Task Force Bowie and Assistant Division Commander for the 10th Mountain Division in Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, and served as Commander of Special Operations Command where he oversaw more than 20,000 troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He continues to serve our military in retirement as an executive board member for the Task Force Dagger Foundation. Through this role, he has helped secure donations to benefit injured or ill special operations service members and their families.

On account of his exemplary service, Maj. Gen. Harrell received many of our Nation's most impressive distinctions and awards, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with a Valor Device and Two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters among other awards and distinctions. He represents the best our nation has to offer, and we will look up to his leadership for generations to come.

As Fort Bragg's Congressman, I know I speak for our Nation and community when I say we are truly grateful for Maj. Gen. Harrell's exceptional service. There is no one more deserving of being named a Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment. I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and wish him and his family success in all their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Major General Gary Harrell for 35 years of distinguished military service and leadership.