Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on Sunday, June 19, 2022, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the United States Army Special Forces--the most versatile Special Operations soldiers in the world.

Since their establishment in 1952, Special Forces soldiers have distinguished themselves globally and continue to go above and beyond the call of duty to defend the United States in combat theaters worldwide. However, due to the covert nature of many of their missions, both the measure of their sacrifice and their contribution to freedom here and abroad may never be known.

I hope all Americans will join me in celebrating their 70th anniversary and thanking them for giving more to this country than could ever be repaid and perhaps, could ever be measured.

In valor, courage, and fidelity, the Special Forces are the world's finest fighting force, and I am thankful that they are in the business of protecting the United States of America and its citizens.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to Colonel Aaron Bank, the founder and first commander of the Special Forces. After World War II, it was clear there was a place for highly trained unconventional forces. Colonel Bank began working to convince the U.S. Army to adopt a permanent unconventional warfare force. After tireless efforts, the U.S. Army launched its first Special Forces unit, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with Colonel Bank as its first commander.

Since then, the U.S. Army Special Forces has spawned special operations units from the other military branches such as the Navy SEALS, Air Force Combat Controllers, and the Marines' Force Recon.

We have Colonel Bank to thank for emphasizing the strategic and tactical importance of such units, which he modeled in designing, implementing, and commanding the Army's first Special Forces unit.

I consider it an honor and privilege to participate in recognizing both his contribution and the legacy of his vision and foresight, the United States Special Forces.

My most sincere gratitude goes out to Colonel Bank and all Green Berets as they celebrate the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Army Special Forces.

Madam Speaker, as the father of an elementary school child, I am devastated every time we have a school shooting. That is why identifying solutions to stop these tragedies is so important to me.

There are only two significant gun safety bills to pass Congress recently. Both were Republican bills passed by a Republican majority and signed by a Republican President.

The Democrats' mantra has been ``do something.'' My Republican colleagues and I know that the American people expect us to do something that matters.

That is why I introduced H.R. 7966, the STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect our Nation's Children Act. It builds on the STOP School Violence Act signed into law in 2018 and redirects unused COVID-19 funding to provide $1 billion to hire school resource officers, and it provides $1 billion to hire mental health guidance counselors.

Our guidance counselors are wonderful, caring people who are stretched too thin. They may not always have the time they need to reach all the children who need help. There is $5 billion included to fund STOP School Violence programs that harden schools, expand active shooter training, and provide resources for law enforcement, school officials, and students to intervene before someone reaches a breaking point.

Under my legislation, schools can also apply for threat assessments to identify weaknesses in security and in mental health services. A clearinghouse is also codified under Homeland Security to share best practices for school safety.

My STOP II Act is one of 12 bills that House Republicans are bringing forward that actually solve problems and actually save lives, all without threatening the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. If gun control worked, Chicago would be one of the safest cities in America.

My colleagues across the aisle have so far refused to work with us where there is common ground on this issue. They and the media know the bills we are considering today have no chance of becoming law.

I ask my colleagues across the aisle to set aside this partisan agenda. Instead, help me to harden schools. Help me to intervene with students in a mental health crisis before they reach a breaking point.

Imagine the impact if we had intervened and gotten the help that this young man in Uvalde needed before he dropped out of high school. Help me protect our children and teachers to make sure tragedies like this never happen again.

Madam Speaker, if we adopt the motion to recommit, we will instruct the Committee on the Judiciary to consider my amendment to H.R. 7910 to provide needed resources to schools for safety and security and mental health intervention and counseling.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 202.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Deputy James Nelson Bailey on receiving the 2021 Robert Jackson Eury Memorial Award.

Chief Bailey began his career with the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office in 1995. He worked in the Detention Center for two years before becoming a member of the Patrol division in 1997. It was not long before his expertise and quick success led him to be promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2002 and Patrol Lieutenant in 2006. After twelve years of dedicated service as Patrol Lieutenant, he was appointed Chief Deputy in 2018. Chief Bailey is a certified polygraph examiner having graduated from the Northeast Counterdrug Training Center and Polygraph Institute. He also received his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western Carolina University and a master's degree in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University.

Chief Bailey's hard work and staunch work ethic have long promoted service of the highest quality to further assist the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office benefit all in our community. In addition to such dedicated service, he is an active member of his community outside of his role as Chief Deputy. He is the Past Master and current Secretary of Allen-Graham Masonic Lodge No. 695 in Kannapolis, NC. He is also a member of both the Oasis Shrine and Cabarrus Shrine Clubs where he held the position of Treasurer. Chief Bailey is married and has two children and five grandchildren.

The Robert Jackson Eury Memorial Award is presented in memory of Robert Jackson Eury, a man who lost his life in the line of duty while serving as a Cabarrus County law enforcement officer. This award keeps Mr. Eury's legacy alive through officers who share his same admirable and commendable spirit in Cabarrus County. Chief Bailey fits the mold of esteemed law enforcement officers in our community set by Robert Eury.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Chief Deputy James Nelson Bailey for receiving the 2021 Robert Jackson Eury Memorial Award. We all wish him well as he continues to make a positive impact in our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor NASCAR team owner Chip Ganassi for twenty years as the owner of Chip Ganassi Racing.

After a successful career as a racer, Mr. Ganassi purchased the SABCO team in 2001 and quickly renamed it Chip Ganassi Racing. Over the next 20 years, his team achieved a combined 40 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity series. Most notably, Chip Ganassi Racing experienced great success in the NASCAR Cup Series where it achieved 20 victories along with 36 pole positions, 196 top-five finishes, and 474 top-10 finishes.

Mr. Ganassi's experience and knowledge immediately propelled his team to great success. In Mr. Ganassi's inaugural season as owner, Sterling Marlin finished in third place in the 2001 NASCAR Cup Series championship. This success quickly established a culture of winning at Chip Ganassi Racing that attracted some of NASCAR's best drivers. While racing for Ganassi, Jamie McMurray became the first driver to win NASCAR's Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar's Daytona 500 in the same year. Additionally, household-name Kyle Larson earned four first place finishes in a single season as a member of Ganassi's team. Furthermore, Mr. Ganassi's achievements extend beyond results on the racetrack. His unique and effective business sense set new precedents for success in NASCAR. Unlike many other team owners, team ownership was his only business. He also maintained an impressive 28-year relationship with Target and secured it as a long-time sponsor for Chip Ganassi Racing.

After retiring this past Fall, Mr. Ganassi leaves behind an impressive legacy that I am proud to acknowledge today. He is highly regarded by other team owners and racers alike. His accomplishments reflect his dedication to racing and his intense desire for improvement. I know I speak for our entire community in wishing him and his family continued success and happiness in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Mr. Chip Ganassi for his outstanding accomplishments and contributions as a racing team owner.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Ms. Annie Habeeb for her exceptional accomplishments and leadership as a soccer player.

Ms. Habeeb attended Gray Stone Day School in Stanly County where she was a four-year member of the varsity women's soccer team. Over the course of her four-year high school career, she helped lead the Knights to a 71-9-5 record in which they won 86.5 percent of their games and made it deep into the state playoffs each year. She also strengthened her game by playing in Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden as a member of the Lake Norman Soccer club team. Following high school, Ms. Habeeb competed for and recently graduated from Flagler University where she earned her bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management with a minor in business administration. After experiencing great success over her four years of soccer at Flagler, Ms. Habeeb has decided to pursue a career in professional women's soccer. She recently signed a contract with IFK Kalmar in Sweden's OBOS Damallsvenskan league.

As a member of one of the most prestigious soccer leagues in the world, Ms. Habeeb is the first student from Gray Stone Day School to become a professional athlete. This remarkable achievement is tangible evidence of her hard work and determination which represents the very best of our community. Praised by others for her devout work ethic and superb leadership skills, Ms. Habeeb sets an excellent example for all to follow.

I would like to extend my most heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Habeeb for her austere commitment to soccer and dedicated leadership within our community. I speak for our entire community in wishing her continued success and happiness as she pursues her dream of playing professional soccer.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Ms. Annie Habeeb for her excellent leadership and unprecedented success as a graduate from Gray Stone Day School.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of renowned architect Frederick Law Olmsted. This marks the 200th year since his birth.

Prior to beginning his career as a landscape architect, Mr. Olmsted worked as an author, farmer, journalist, and public servant. As the superintendent of New York's Central Park, he was awarded the opportunity to design the park. This prestigious task marked only the beginning of his accomplished career in architecture. In 1873, Congress selected Mr. Olmsted to design the expansion of the U.S. Capitol. He also designed the Biltmore Estate in Asheville where he fell in love with the natural beauty of North Carolina. He later accepted the opportunity to serve as the chief architect for the Village of Pinehurst. Today, the Village of Pinehurst is part of the Pinehurst National Historic Landmark District on the National Register of Historic Places. This impressive distinction serves in large part to recognize the cultural and architectural significance of Mr. Olmsted's exemplary work.

After he passed in 1903, Mr. Olmsted's sons and business colleagues worked to carry out his architectural mission which continues to shape the direction of American architecture and design. His extraordinary legacy provides a guiding model for all practicing architecture.

I would like to extend my most sincere appreciation to Mr. Olmsted for his committed and impactful leadership and achievements in the fields of architecture and landscaping. His work has greatly benefitted North Carolina and the U.S., and I join our entire community in honoring his extraordinary life.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of renowned golf course architect Donald Ross. This marks the 125th year since his birth.

Although the total number is not known, Mr. Ross designed around 400 courses over his lifetime which have been home to more than 100 U.S. national championships. In 1900, he was hired by James Walker Tufts to oversee the construction of four of the nine courses at the Pinehurst resort. Mr. Ross is most well-known for crafting the legendary Pinehurst No. 2. This course is held by many to be one of the most well-designed and challenging courses in the U.S. and the world. Mr. Ross' designs led Pinehurst to become the center of golf's rise to popularity in the early twentieth century and established a tradition of excellence that continues to serve as a source of pride for all in our community.

I would like to extend my most heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Ross for his committed and impactful leadership and achievements as a golf course architect. His work has greatly benefitted those in North Carolina and across the U.S., and I join our entire community in honoring his extraordinary life

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Donald Ross.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted Nay on Roll Call No. 74.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of former County Commissioner and law enforcer Louis Gregory III. A beloved member of our community, Commissioner Gregory exhibited the highest level of commitment to protecting and serving others.

As a young man, Mr. Gregory served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years before pursuing a career in law enforcement where he would continue to positively affect countless lives. For 38 years he climbed the ranks of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad's police agency before retiring as Superintendent of Police for CSX Transportation's North-End region. Perhaps most impressively, he became a member of the FBI's Joint Command Staff of their anti-terror task force in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

After moving to Moore County in 2003, Mr. Gregory immediately began benefiting the lives of those in our community. Promptly named Chief of the Whispering Pines Police Department, Commissioner Gregory is remembered for the lasting impact that his leadership had in building a strong police force of quality officers. To this day, his tenure is known for instituting a culture of excellence that helped drive down local crime rates. After his career in law enforcement, he was elected to the Moore County Board of Commissioners where he served multiple years as vice chairman. Among other roles, he served as the board's liaison to the Board of Health and was a member of the Transportation Advisory Board. Outside of local government, he served as the past president of the Moore County Republican Men's Club and was a member of both the Masons and Rotary International.

Commissioner Gregory passed away on March 5, 2022, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew and loved him. As a Marine, member of law enforcement, and County Commissioner, Commissioner Gregory extended great personal sacrifice in dedicating himself to the service of others. I join our entire community in gratitude as we honor his extraordinary life.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring the life and legacy of Commissioner Louis Gregory III.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Dr. L. Allen Dobson, Jr. for receiving the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award.

Dr. Dobson has provided his community with excellent service through medical and economic initiatives he has pursued as a doctor and small business owner. He began his career by opening Cabarrus Family Medicine where he established a residency program to train doctors for work in rural settings. Additionally, he served as the chair of the Board of Managers of the Community Care Physicians

Network, LLC (CCPN) to create business and medical connections between more than 3,600 North Carolinian clinicians. He also helped found and served as the President and Executive Officer of Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) which currently offers primary care medical home services to over 1.5 million people across the state. His medical and management expertise is nationally renowned, and he serves as a steady consultant to the National Governor's Association, the White House, Congress, and the National Institutes of Medicine on account of the innovative success of the CCNC model.

In addition to his accomplishments in the medical field, Dr. Dobson's leadership has brought much economic growth and development to Cabarrus County. He founded 73 & Main in Mount Pleasant which remains one of the most popular restaurants in Cabarrus County. He also played a paramount role in establishing Southern Grace Distilleries at old Mount Pleasant Prison. These ventures affected great economic progress in the region by encouraging the development of many new small businesses.

Dr. Dobson's unmeasurable contributions to his community make him truly deserving of this award. His hard work and dedication to supporting those in need will serve as a model for all healthcare providers and entrepreneurs to emulate. I know I speak for our entire community in wishing him continued success and happiness as he continues to affect positive change through excellent leadership and service.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Dr. L. Allen Dobson, Jr. on receiving the 2021 Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Market Street Studios for receiving the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Award.

Market Street Studios has worked diligently to document many of Cabarrus County's important and historical events and milestones. In doing so, they have exerted sincere efforts to positively portray our community in order to uplift all those who experience their work.

Market Street Studios has captured some of the most significant moments in Cabarrus County's recent history. They organized the reveal of the local minor-league baseball team's new identity and documented the gathering in support of frontline healthcare workers at Atrium Health Cabarrus at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Market Street Studios' work has also provided integral support to nonprofit organizations in our community. In response to much adversity brought on by the pandemic, they implemented video and livestream services that nonprofits could employ for fundraising efforts. Market Street Studios also took initiative to create a documentary series to showcase the good work of local and small business, create public awareness for the many issues brought on by the pandemic, and reveal how businesses are adapting to cope with such issues. Through these initiatives, Market Street Studios has supported the Cabarrus Arts Council, the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Mental Health Alliance, the Three Rivers Land Trust and many other local organizations.

Market Street Studios exemplifies the highest level of commitment to our community and serves as a model for all other businesses to follow. I speak for all in our community in wishing Market Street Studios success and prosperity as they continue to affect positive change through excellent leadership and service.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Market Street Studios on receiving the 2021 Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Tastebuds Popcorn Concord for receiving the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year Award.

Tastebuds Popcorn Concord has quickly become a local favorite. In just over a year, they have established themselves as a popular vendor of over 200 flavors of popcorn and gone above and beyond to provide invaluable support to our community.

Tastebuds Popcorn Concord is a veteran-owned, minority-owned, and woman-owned business that has already made significant partnerships and connections to spur economic growth in Cabarrus County. Their collaboration with other businesses seeks to recognize and address many public needs in our community. Among many other partnerships and initiatives, Tastebuds Popcorn Concord worked with the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitor's Bureau to assist with NASCAR's 2021 Drive for the Cure 250 and partnered with law enforcement to advance safety initiatives and community relations. Tastebuds Popcorn Concord has also sponsored multiple public high school sports teams and the Teacher's Resource, a nonprofit that provides support to teachers in multiple cities nationwide. I join the rest of our community in thanking Tastebuds Popcorn Concord for their contributions to our local economy and dedicated charitable services.

Tastebuds Popcorn Concord has achieved swift and impactful success and is truly deserving of this award. I wish its management and employees success as they continue to provide excellent service to our community. I personally look forward to my next visit when I'm back home in Concord.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Tastebuds Popcorn Concord on receiving the 2021 Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate CK Select Real Estate for receiving the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.

Since 2005, CK Select Real Estate has provided buyers and sellers with opportunities and resources in residential, commercial, and investment real estate. Originally founded as a local provider for the Concord and Kannapolis regions, CK Select Real Estate has since expanded to cover much of the Piedmont-Triad region and even parts of South Carolina.

CK Select Real Estate has thoroughly proven to be a trusted source for real estate endeavors. They provide exemplary customer service by employing collaborative and inclusive negotiating practices to benefit their clients. Although strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, CK Select Real Estate's staunch dedication to their clients did not waver as they adapted to the challenging circumstances by adopting new safety protocols to accommodate in-person services. Additionally, CK Select Real Estate has pursued multiple serviceoriented projects to address public needs in our community. To list just a few examples, they funded the construction of a blessing box in Kannapolis to provide food to needy families and raised funds for Purple Heart Homes, a nonprofit that assists service-connected disabled and aging veterans find adequate housing.

CK Select Real Estate is truly deserving of this award on account of their impactful contributions to our local economy and dedicated charitable works. I know I speak for our entire community in thanking CK Select Real Estate for their committed service and wishing them continued success going forward.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating CK Select Real Estate on receiving the 2021 Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Present Age Ministries for receiving the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year Award.

Since 2009, Present Age Ministries has worked hard to fight back against and eliminate sex trafficking and abuse. They have served as a vital resource for teen victims of these crimes and have undertaken many initiatives to further prepare all in our community to successfully assist those impacted.

Present Age Ministries' services have provided resources to over 50 survivors and education and training initiatives to over 20,000 students and adults in Cabarrus County. Both the City of Concord and the City of Kannapolis employ their services to identify and assist all possible teen victims of sex trafficking and abuse, and Cabarrus County Schools partners with Present Age Ministries to maintain high quality and up to date sex trafficking education programs. Present Age Ministries has thoroughly demonstrated their ability to adapt to meet victims' needs under new and challenging circumstances. They introduced tutoring resources for victims after it became apparent that those seeking resources were also struggling to keep up with schoolwork. Survivors can now study with other survivors and receive aid from volunteer tutors. Furthermore, after being tasked with very unusual and difficult obstacles during the pandemic, Present Age Ministries shifted strategies by developing a virtual program through which teens received activities and resources to review and complete prior to connecting with case workers or mentors on the internet or over the phone. They also introduced an online portal to ease access to educational resources.

Present Age Ministries is truly deserving of this award on account of the invaluable resources they provide and their unwavering commitment to vulnerable members of our community. I join the rest of our community in gratitude as we acknowledge Present Age Ministries for such excellent service.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Present Age Ministries on receiving the 2021 Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year Award.