Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Cynthia Parrish and Sergeant Charles Cochran as recipients of the Public Safety Valor Award.

The Valor Award is a prestigious honor presented to first responders of the greater Fayetteville region who perform acts of heroism under extreme risk. Proudly serving the Fayetteville Police Department, 911 telecommunicator Cynthia Parrish and Sergeant Charles Cochran exhibited great courage and composure on the night of July 3, 2018.

While responding to a domestic disturbance where a man was reportedly holding his pregnant girlfriend hostage with a knife, Ms. Parrish traced the woman's location, obtained vital information for responding officers, and remained on the phone as the victim was repeatedly stabbed. When Sergeant Cochran arrived on the scene, he breached the apartment door with an axe, quickly located the victim and her attacker, and saved the life of the victim and her unborn baby after neutralizing the threat.

Ms. Parrish and Sergeant Cochran's quick actions, bravery and dedication to service are a credit to them, their families, and the Fayetteville Police Department. I know I speak for everyone in our community when I say we are truly grateful for their unwavering service and cannot thank them enough.

Ms. Parrish and Sergeant Cochran are deserving of this honor and I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and wish them success as they continue to protect our communities.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in celebrating Ms. Cynthia Parrish and Sergeant Charles Cochran on receiving the Public Safety Valor Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Deputy Tristan Strickland as a recipient of the Public Safety Valor Award.

The Valor Award is a prestigious honor presented to men and women of the greater Fayetteville region who perform acts of heroism under extreme risk. A second-generation law enforcement officer with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, Deputy Strickland exhibited great courage and composure in the early morning hours of September 4, 2018.

While responding to a domestic disturbance where a man was reportedly trying to force entry into the home of a mother and her four children, Deputy Strickland was fired upon while arriving on the scene. He exited his vehicle and returned fire, striking the offender from 90 feet away. Deputy Strickland then heroically shielded a fellow officer and engaged the subject so that she could seek cover. After securing the scene, the officers sought medical attention for the offender.

Deputy Strickland's quick actions, excellent marksmanship under extreme pressure, and willingness to stand in front of a fellow officer are a credit to him, his family, and the Cumberland Sheriff's Department. I know I speak for everyone in our community when I say we are truly grateful for his unwavering service and cannot thank him enough.

Deputy Strickland is deserving of this honor and I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and wish him success as he continues to protect our communities.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in celebrating Deputy Tristan Strickland on receiving the Public Safety Valor Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Christopher Bordon, Master Firefighter Eddie Jean Pullum, and firefighters Mark Frye and Sean Gallagher as recipients of the Public Safety Valor Award.

The Valor Award is a prestigious honor presented to men and women of the greater Fayetteville region who perform acts of heroism under extreme risk. Proudly serving the Fayetteville Fire Department, Captain Christopher Bordon, Master Firefighter Eddie Jean Pullum, and firefighters Mark Frye and Sean Gallagher

went above the normal call of duty in January 2019.

After responding to reports of a fire inside the home of a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease, the four of them searched her 1,700 square foot home, extinguished the fire, moved the victim to safety, and provided her with medical assistance. Remarkably, they accomplished this in only 5 minutes and 25 seconds. As firefighters Mark Frye and Sean Gallagher initiated a rapid primary search to find the victim with zero visibility, Captain Christopher Bordon and Master Firefighter Eddie Jean Pullum coordinated a fire attack made in order to provide the best chance of survival for the victim.

This incredible display of teamwork and heroism is a credit to them, their families, and the Fayetteville Fire Department. I know I speak for everyone in our community when I say we are truly grateful for their unwavering service and cannot thank them enough.

Captain Christopher Bordon, Master Firefighter Eddie Jean Pullum, and firefighters Mark Frye and Sean Gallagher are deserving of this honor and I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and wish them success as they continue to protect our communities.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in celebrating Captain Christopher Bordon, Master Firefighter Eddie Jean Pullum, and firefighters Mark Frye and Sean Gallagher on receiving the Public Safety Valor Award.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I also want to thank Chairwoman McCollum and Ranking Member Joyce for working with me on this very important amendment.

In North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District, we are fortunate to have the Uwharrie National Forest. Throughout my time in Congress, I have heard horror stories from my constituents of the danger of the public roads within the Uwharrie National Forest.

I have seen these roads firsthand and can testify to the critical need of paving these roads.

My amendment works towards improving and maintaining these roads and assuring public access to this State treasure.

One of my constituents had a heart attack, and the ambulance couldn't get down the road because of the ruts and the washouts. Thankfully, the desperate, resourceful paramedics got out of the ambulance and sprinted down the road with a stretcher.

Another one of my constituents, their house burned to the ground because the road was so impassable, a firetruck couldn't get down to put out the blaze.

These are just a few of the examples of the severe public safety concerns that my constituents are facing due to the inability of the Park Service to maintain these roads.

It is unacceptable, and it is one reason why I have worked so hard to advocate on behalf of Uwharrie National Forest and advocate for more resources for the Park Service in general.

Mr. Chair, I want to thank the Chief of the Forest Service, Ms. Christiansen, for her attention to this issue and for working with me to address this public safety crisis.

In addition, Mr. Chair, I want to, again, thank Chairwoman McCollum for her work to increase funding for road construction in this legislation.

I will continue to work and stress the urgency of this issue until my constituents are safe. It is my duty as a Congressman to get this done.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment as well as the en bloc.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Clyde ``Ernie'' Hiers on his 39 years of service to our communities as Fire Chief in Temple Terrace, Florida and the City of Kannapolis, located in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District.

Over the years, Ernie has made countless contributions to our community. He started his career in 1980 as a driver for Temple Terrace Fire Department at age 21 and retires today as Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator at Kannapolis Fire Department.

Ernie is known throughout the community for his big smile, endless supply of jokes, and passion for service. Through his leadership, Kannapolis Fire Department has experienced a time of unprecedented growth. Ernie saw the number of firefighters rise from 33 to 84 on any given shift, transitioned to an all paid staff, and implemented thermal imaging and sophisticated 911 systems. Exemplary of his prowess, Kannapolis Fire Department constructed two new replacement stations and improved Insurance Service Office (ISO) ratings for the City.

Ernie now plans to spend more time with his wife, Dora and their family, travel more, and to partake in his favorite hobby of serving as a Kansas City Barbeque Society Master Judge. I know I speak for everyone in the community when I say we are truly grateful for his unwavering service and cannot thank him enough. I

would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and wish him a long and happy retirement.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Clyde ``Ernie'' Hiers on his 39 years of service to our communities.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I also thank Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger for their leadership and for working with me on this important amendment.

As we experienced in April at my alma mater, UNC Charlotte, no community is immune from gun violence. The despicable violence and hatred we saw in our community have no place in our schools and our society.

When I think back to my days as a student at Myers Park High School, I remember studying humanities in Dave Layton's class, having lunch with my friends, and looking forward to Friday night football games. I don't remember feeling scared or anxious, and I don't remember worrying about my safety.

I want my son and all of America's children to have that same experience. If there is anyplace our children should feel safe, it is in our schools.

That is why I, and so many of us here in this Congress, have been working for years to address this issue and tackle the root causes of violence. I led efforts to pass the STOP School Violence Act last year. Under Republican leadership, Congress passed many bipartisan measures to prevent mass violence, including legislation to strengthen the background check system, improve mental healthcare, and give schools the tools they need to protect our students.

We have made some progress, but our work is not nearly done.

What can we do to better identify and intervene with young people in emotional crises before they reach a breaking point? What causes these emotional crises, and what can we do to prevent them? Which of our efforts to make our schools safer is actually working?

These and many more questions deserve to be explored. I hope my amendment will lead to answers that will protect our students and our educators.

My amendment would double the money available for research to study the root causes of gun violence, including the impact and effectiveness of grants authorized under the STOP School Violence Act. This money would go to grant programs at the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security that are dedicated to ending violence in our communities.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim Sells on his 40 years of service to our community as Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Concord, located in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District.

Over the last 40 years, Jim has made countless contributions to our area. He started his career in 1979 as a volunteer firefighter for the Concord Fire Department and is retiring on July 1st as the Emergency Management Coordinator. His strong character and leadership enabled him to advance within the City of Concord Fire Department, culminating as Emergency Management Coordinator.

Jim has earned the reputation for leading the vital improvements to the City of Concord's emergency response infrastructure. Through his leadership, he developed the initial Concord Emergency Management Ordinance which created the division of Emergency Management within the Concord Fire Department. Exemplary of his passion for service, Jim created the City's first emergency operations plan and has saved countless lives. In honor of his tireless innovations, he was recognized by the Executive Steering Committee for the Democratic National Convention in 2012. The City of Concord now stands as a premier model of emergency management and readiness across the state of North Carolina.

Jim has led by example over the years and is someone for whom I have everlasting respect and admiration. I know I speak for everyone in the community when I say we are truly grateful for all of his service and cannot thank him enough. I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and wish him a long and happy retirement.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Jim Sells on his 40 years of service to our community.

Mr. Chairman, I thank distinguished Ranking Member Granger for her strong leadership on the committee and for yielding this time to me.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to call attention to a serious issue of mismanagement between the Community Development Institute, known by its acronym, CDI, and the Office of Head Start.

I wholeheartedly support the Head Start program, and I know it has the power to change lives. In fact, my mother is a retired Head Start teacher, and I know the impact on her students was profound.

However, I have also seen, firsthand, the damage that can quickly happen to a community when proper oversight is not conducted over local Head Start programs, especially once CDI assumes control.

In Cabarrus County, my home county in the Eighth District of North Carolina, we have witnessed CDI continuously demonstrate an inability to ensure the federally mandated guidelines outlined in the Head Start Act are met.

While I have been impressed by the new Head Start national Director, Dr. Deborah Bergeron, I adamantly believe Congress needs to exercise more oversight when it comes to Head Start and CDI--not just in my congressional district, but across the Nation.

I would like to ask Congresswoman DeLauro to work with me to make sure Head Start and CDI are held accountable and ensure the most vulnerable children in our communities receive the best preschool education possible.

I yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut.

Mr. Chair, I look forward to working with the gentlewoman and my other colleagues to protect the Head Start program and ensure this does not happen again in my district, but I also want to help make sure it doesn't happen to any child who is denied access to these vital education programs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Lieutenant Shannon Yingling for her faithful service to our country as an esteemed member of the U.S. Navy's Liaison Office in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In this capacity, Lieutenant Yingling oversaw and led countless congressional and staff delegations to destinations throughout the United States and all four corners of the world. These trips were pivotal in helping Members and their staffs achieve a greater understanding of the issues facing our Navy and its sailors.

Lieutenant Yingling's distinguished career began in Annapolis, Maryland, where she entered the Naval Academy as a Plebe. In May of 2010, Shannon was commissioned as an Ensign and designated a Student Naval Aviator. She completed Primary Flight Training at VT-27, where she flew the venerable T-34C Turbo Mentor, and was sent to HT-28 to learn to fly the TH-57 Sea Ranger. Upon successful completion of the Advanced Helicopter Syllabus, LT Yingling earned her Wings of Gold and was sent to Norfolk for Fleet Replacement Training in the SH-60S. She was assigned to HSC-7 from 2013 to 2016, where she deployed twice with Carrier Air Wing THREE aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Strike Group TEN and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Lieutenant Yingling's awards and decorations include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as other personal, campaign, and service ribbons.

As Lieutenant Yingling embarks on a new chapter in life, it is my hope that she may recall, with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, the outstanding contributions she has made to the United States Navy while attached to the Office of Legislative Affairs. I would like to send her my very best wishes for continued success in her future Naval career.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Lieutenant Shannon Yingling and her service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-

Day and honor Staff Sergeant Arnold Raymond ``Ray'' Lambert, a World War II veteran and Moore County constituent.

There are American heroes, and then there are American giants. Ray-- along with other men and women of the Greatest Generation--is a giant. At 98-years-old, he is one of the few surviving warriors who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Seventy-five years ago, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a heavily fortified French coastline and established a foot-hold in Nazi-occupied France--though that one sentence hardly does the invasion any justice. D-Day was a major turning point in WWII and the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany.

Ray served as a medic in the 16th Infantry Regiment of the army's storied First Division, the ``Big Red One.'' Facing intense fire from German forces, his medical unit landed with the first assault wave at Omaha Beach. Soldiers were killed and wounded all around him, and Ray pressed on--rescuing troops from drowning, attending to countless wounds, hauling soldiers to safety, and always serving his fellow men in uniform. He was wounded and in immense pain himself, but he persevered after giving himself a shot of morphine. That's incredible and selfless service at its finest.

Ray sacrificed on that beach. He saved countless men on that beach. And he never once gave up. After breaking his back and losing consciousness, he was picked up and evacuated by a landing craft. On that same landing craft was another heroic medic who was wounded--his brother, Bill. They were taken to safety in England and began the long journey back home and to recovery.

Before Normandy, Ray served in North Africa with the Big Red One and earned his first Silver Star for rescuing wounded soldiers under fire in 1943. He continued to risk his life to save his fellow men in uniform, next in Sicily. A Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star recipient, Ray continues to serve our country and our community and he recently published a memoir titled ``Every Man a Hero.''

I admire Ray not only for his service, but also for his desire to memorialize his fallen comrades and his efforts to pass on the great values of his generation. As he said recently, ``Perhaps they should teach a little more in schools about World War II and how the generation at that time, my generation, loved the country and respected the flag and was willing to fight for our families and our country.'' I agree and believe every generation owes an enormous debt to Ray and the Greatest Generation.

I applaud Ray for his tremendous service, and I thank him for his courageous and selfless actions. I am so proud to represent him in Congress, and I wish him and his wife Barbara and their family all the best.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Staff Sergeant Ray Lambert and his service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pam Dubois on her 31 years of service in Cabarrus County, located in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District.

Over the last 31 years, Pam has made countless contributions to our area. She started her civic service career in September of 1988 as an accountant and retires today as Senior Deputy County Manager.

Pam has experienced a very successful career and rose through the ranks of the Cabarrus County Finance Department to become the Finance Director and Deputy County Manager. Through her leadership, Cabarrus County has earned the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 16 consecutive years and the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 29 consecutive years.

Pam serves on a distinguished North Carolina Association of County Commissioners committee, where she advises other counties with sound fiscal advice, and also on the North Carolina Finance Certification Program, from which she received her certification in 1994. She obtained her GFOA of the United States and Canada Certified Finance Officers Certificate in June 2001. Pam has also served for years on the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.

In addition to her career, Pam is heavily involved with her church-- she's served as an Elder for Orphan Care, as a parking lot attendant and on the Building and Grounds Committee. Pam also volunteers in numerous ways to help veterans, animals and special-needs children.

Pam is married to Steve Dubois and has two cats, Brooklyn and Isabell. A graduate from the University of South Carolina, Pam is also known as one of the most passionate Gamecock fans around, despite residing in the Tar Heel State. I know I speak for everyone in the community when I say she will be missed but is well deserving of a long and happy retirement.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in honoring Pam Dubois on her decades of service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 222, 223, 224, and 225; NAY on Roll Call No. 226; YEA on Roll Call No. 227; and NAY on Roll Call No. 228.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the life and actions of

Riley Howell, a true hero who sacrificed himself to save countless lives on May 1st at UNC Charlotte.

Riley was a 21-year-old student who had just transferred to UNC Charlotte last fall after studying at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. When a former student began shooting in his classroom, Riley was the first to ignore the danger and charge towards the gunman. Despite being shot three times, he still tackled the shooter with enough force to knock him off his feet. Riley's actions prevented the shooter from reloading and allowed campus police to intervene before any more damage could be done. However, Riley's courageous actions came at a dire cost--he passed away from his wounds.

Since Riley's passing, I have read story after story that speak to Riley's ingenuity, kind heart, love of Star Wars, and upstanding character. When folks heard about his heroic actions, they said it sounded exactly like what Riley would do to help someone in need or protect those who couldn't protect themselves. I'm as much in awe of Riley's actions as I am devastated that such carnage could happen at a place that made such a lasting impact on my life.

As a proud UNC Charlotte alumnus, my thoughts and prayers are with Riley's parents, Thomas Howell and Natalie Henry-Howell, his eight younger siblings, and all who loved him. As a father, I cannot imagine the depth of their grief and I offer my deepest condolences.

I know I speak for the entire community when I say, Riley will always be remembered for his heroic and selfless actions and I will do everything in my power to honor his memory and sacrifice.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Riley Howell and his heroic actions.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the life of Ellis ``Reed'' Parlier, a young man from North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District whose life was taken much too soon on May 1st of this year.

Reed was full of passion, wit and intelligence. A top student and avid gamer, Reed planned to turn his love of video games into a Computer Science degree and a career as a game developer. He had the reputation of being gifted academically with a witty sense of humor, and had his whole life ahead of him as he finished his freshman year at UNC Charlotte.

It absolutely breaks my heart that Reed's life was taken from us during a tragic, senseless shooting on UNC Charlotte's campus. My years at UNC Charlotte made an indelible impact on who I am today, and I was shaken to my core when I learned of Reed's death last week. My thoughts and prayers are with Reed's family during this time of sorrow. As a father, I cannot imagine the depth of your grief.

I know I speak for the entire 49er community when I say we all share your pain and mourning--no one deserves to lose a child, especially on a campus like UNC Charlotte where so many terrific, transformative experiences take place for tens of thousands of students each year.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Ellis ``Reed'' Parlier.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Laura Heggins on receiving the Robert Jackson Eury Memorial Award.

Captain Heggins started her career in 1992 and was assigned to the Cabarrus County Detention Center as a Sworn Deputy. During her law enforcement career, Captain Heggins has served on the Mental Health Task Force, as team leader for the Crisis and Hostage Negotiator Committee, and as a basic law enforcement training instructor. She also finds time to work with the homeless through Main Street Mission.

Over the course of her career, Captain Heggins has climbed the ranks and was the first African American woman to ever be promoted to the Lieutenant rank with the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office. She is hard working, driven, and promotes a level of excellence that is hard to come by, she is a role model for all of us.

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. Based on her career of service, I would say Captain Heggins fits the mold of esteemed law enforcement officers in our community set by Robert Eury.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Captain Laura Heggins for receiving the Robert Jackson Eury Memorial Award. We all wish her well as she continues to make a positive impact in our community.