Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate DecisionPathHR for receiving the 2019 Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.

With North Carolina locations in Charlotte and Concord, DecisionPathHR is one of the finest staffing companies in the country. Their ability to compete with national and international companies has allowed them to create an impressive reputation in the industry, and through their hard work and dedication they exemplify the true meaning of a successful small business.

Led by President and CEO Tom Gibson, DecisionPathHR has quickly risen from their founding in 2012 to leading the industry today. Achieving a number of industry staffing awards over the years, DecisionPathHR has developed through innovation in internal hiring and improvements in their digital marketing and collaboration process. It is clear that the best days for DecisionPathHR are still ahead. They also shared the same office site as my District Office in Concord, so my team has personally witnessed their hard work in action over the years.

DecisionPathHR and its entire team is incredibly deserving of this award and I wish them success as they continue to help folks in our area find good jobs to provide for their families and our community.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating DecisionPathHR on receiving the 2019 Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Team Honeycutt of Allen Tate Realtors for being named the 2019 Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Business of the Year.

Team Honeycutt is one of Cabarrus County's premier real estate teams. Helping North Carolinians find new homes for over 30 years, Team Honeycutt and their 24 employees are known not just for their exemplary work in real estate, but their commitment to volunteer service in their community.

Led by my good friend and Cabarrus County Commissioner Diane Honeycutt, Team Honeycutt has been a pillar of the community for decades. Their team has an astounding 100 percent participation rate on service projects, and in the last 15 years has contributed over $150,000 in the Cabarrus County

area. These contributions include scholarships to local schools and community colleges, donations to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Relief, and direct contributions to countless community organizations we know and love.

Diane and all of Team Honeycutt are deserving of this award and I couldn't be more proud of the example they set for our county and beyond.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Diane Honeycutt and all of Team Honeycutt on receiving the 2019 Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Business of the Year Award.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Nancy L. Kutulas as she retires after 36 years of dedicated service as a Department of the Army Civil Librarian.

There is a reverence that comes with the humble and steadfast service Ms. Kutulas has shown our country over nearly four decades. As one commander at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School eloquently put it when summing up her career, there is ``no better example of the quiet professional and devoted civil servant'' than Nancy Kutulas.

While Ms. Kutulas has served in many prestigious posts over the years, she spent the vast majority of it at the epicenter of the universe, Fort Bragg, located in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. And throughout her career, Ms. Kutulas has time and again been recognized for her hard work and dedication. In fact, last year she was named the United States Army Special Operations Command Unsung Hero of the Year.

One example of her tenacity and resourcefulness was recently exhibited when she provided a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) with vital information on a newly-operational weapon system that arrived before the soldiers had been trained how to use it. Ms. Kutulas sprang into action, tracking down the necessary information and dispatching the necessary experts to train the soldiers to successfully deploy the new system--all while under heavy enemy fire. Without her quick actions, who knows how things may have ended for the soldiers.

I wish Ms. Kutulas a long and happy retirement, and I know I speak for countless service members and their families when I say she will be forever missed.

Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Ms. Kutulas for her 36 years of dedicated service.

Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 44, and YEA on Roll Call No. 45.

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

Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 35.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chris Metzger, the 2018 U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach from Pinecrest High School in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District.

Chris has served as the head football coach for the last 11 years and has had a tremendous impact on the football program and community. Pinecrest High School and the football program are pillars in the community that borders Fort Bragg. When he started, the program was struggling to compete and most students were not academically eligible to play. Today, the team has 84 wins and his players are successful on and off the field.

Coach Metzger is a man of high character and sees the positive in people. He has instilled a sense of pride in his players and pushed them to be men of perseverance, hard work, and determination. He has encouraged them to recognize their blessings and give back to the community.

U.S. Cellular awarded Coach Metzger and Pinecrest High School with a $50,000 school grant and a Samsung technology package for the school. Coach Metzger was nominated by people in the community and chosen by a panel of judges including Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb and WNBA All-Star Maya Moore.

Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Coach Chris Metzger on receiving the 2018 U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach Award.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 436

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained due to the inclement weather in North Carolina and missed votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 426, and YEA on Roll Call No. 427.

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be recognized and to be here today to honor my dear friend, Parker Poling, as she leaves Congressman Patrick McHenry's leadership office to take over as executive director

of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Parker has been a friend, a mentor, and a counselor to me and countless others over the years, none more significantly than Patrick McHenry. It has been a real pleasure to watch him evolve and develop as a legislator under her very good tutelage.

We met when we were both chiefs of staff, me coming to Washington out of North Carolina, and Parker starting out as chief of staff for one of my best friends, Patrick McHenry.

Parker is intelligent; she is poised; she is wise beyond her years; and she is a heck of a great person. She is just a pleasure to spend time with. She has helped me more times than I can count over the years, including when I decided to run for Congress myself.

She is as well respected as anyone on Capitol Hill, and I couldn't be more proud of her as she moves on to her new role.

I do feel badly for my friends across the aisle, though, because Parker will now be steering the ship for House Republicans for the next 2 years, so you had better look out.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Parker Poling for her years of service to the House of Representatives and the people of this country, and in wishing her, Todd, Barrett, and Eliza well in their future endeavors. Thank you, and God bless you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Charlotte, North Carolina on the 250th anniversary of its founding. I am proud to hail from Charlotte, and I want to celebrate the Queen City on this momentous occasion.

As a graduate of A.G. Middle School, Myers Park High School and UNC Charlotte, I hold a very special spot in my heart for this amazing city. Throughout its history, Charlotte has time and again shown the ingenuity and resiliency which allowed it to grow into the prosperous hub it is today. And that ingenuity and resiliency comes down to one common factor--the people who have called Charlotte home over two and a half centuries.

Take the founding of Charlotte way back in 1768. Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Town were named for Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg- Strelitz, wife of English King George III. Despite these overt ties to England, the local leaders of Charlotte banded together in 1775 to issue the Mecklenburg Resolves, the very first declaration of independence from Great Britain by any governing body in Colonial America.

Or take the fact that Charlotte has grown from a regional banking center to the second-largest financial center in the country behind only New York City. This growth was something many scoffed at until a committed group of local visionaries grew a few regional banks into Bank of America and Wachovia, two of the largest financial institutions in the world.

The ingenuity and resiliency of Charlotte and its citizens have allowed the city to grow into not only the largest city in the Carolinas, but also one of the fastest-growing cities in the entire country the past 30 years. While Charlotte has boomed, it has also retained the Southern charm and quality of life that's made it such a wonderful place to live. Folks from across the nation have flocked to Charlotte with good reason--as the slogan goes, ``Charlotte's got a lot.''

I'm fiercely proud of my hometown and I can't wait to see what the next 250 years have in store for the crown jewel of the Carolinas.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating the City of Charlotte on its 250th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Centralina Council of Governments (CCOG) on their 50th anniversary.

Originally established in 1968, the Centralina Council of Governments is one of 16 such councils in the State of North Carolina, and one of several hundred regional planning organizations across the country. Formally named Central Piedmont Regional Council of Local Governments, Centralina was created by and for local governments to allow members to partner on projects impacting our entire region.

Today, Centralina Council of Governments serves local communities covering nine counties and 74 municipalities, representing nearly two million people in the greater Charlotte region, which includes Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly Counties in my district. They are experts at balancing the needs of smaller rural towns, growing suburban areas and Charlotte itself--quite a feat when you consider the different challenges each type of community faces.

CCOG assists local governments in coordinating sound regional development plans and provides a forum to address issues best handled through regional cooperation, planning and action. CCOG also provides a variety of services for our region including the administration of state and federal grants in the areas

of aging, workforce development, economic development and planning. The council also provides technical assistance services to local government members and other organizations in the areas of regional planning, transportation, energy and environment, local government assistance, and business resources.

In short, Centralina COG is dedicated to helping one of the fastest- growing regions in the nation find innovative solutions to both existing and future challenges and to unifying the region's collective resources to help grow the economy and jobs, improve the quality of life and control the cost of government.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing a happy 50th anniversary to the Centralina Council of Governments and congratulations on decades of a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Specialist Christopher Harris, who was killed in action on August 2, 2017 while defending our nation as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. SPC Harris was a true American hero and our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family as they mourn the loss of this great man.

Enlisting in the United States Army in October of 2013, SPC Harris' list of accomplishments speaks to his bravery and commitment to service. As an infantryman, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He received numerous medals, including the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart.

Men and women like SPC Harris represent the best our nation has to offer. As a Paratrooper, he was always prepared to fearlessly jump into enemy territory to defend his country. That level of valor allows us to enjoy the blessings of liberty that have persevered for well over 200 years. When his country needed him most, he stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation.

Leaving behind a wife and a newborn daughter who he never met, our country can never repay the debt we owe to SPC Harris. He was a model citizen and soldier whose legacy will live on forever. He will always be remembered and I will do everything in my power to honor his sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Specialist Christopher Harris for his service to God and country

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H. Res. 1009, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that lack of timely and predictable funding unnecessarily undermines the mission of the United States Special Operations Command and jeopardizes the security of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest honors of my life is representing Fort Bragg, the epicenter of the universe and home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces. The units stationed here represent the best of the best and have a vast footprint.

As our Nation continues to fight terrorism around the world while simultaneously preparing for the threats of near-peer adversaries, our requirements increase and diversify.

For too long, we have asked our military to do more with less. Now, we have made great progress with our fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 DOD appropriations, but every time we fail to pass a Defense Appropriations bill on time, we do irreparable harm to our Nation's military. This is especially apparent in our special operations community.

The men and women at USSOCOM cannot afford another year of CRs. Their missions require an advanced level of training and preparation as they operate in some of the most austere conditions in the world.

When USSOCOM is not funded on time, training cannot be conducted, essential equipment cannot be ordered, and long-term responsibilities are not met. The effects of 9 years of continuing resolutions have severely undermined our forces and led to a waste of taxpayer dollars as we flood the Department of Defense with cash near the end of the fiscal year and force them to spend it all within a matter of a few months.

We must never underestimate the most important asset our military has, and that is the individual. Green Berets cannot be built overnight. We cannot flip a switch and magically produce Navy SEALs or Air Force combat controllers or Marine Raiders. The elite units of USSOCOM are built over multiple years and cannot be stopped and started.

This resolution would affirm our commitment to stand behind each and every one of these incredible servicemembers and their families.

Make no mistake, when this body chooses not to appropriately fund these warriors, we are putting their lives at greater risk. I refuse to go home and look in the eye of a Gold Star wife of a Green Beret and say: ``Sorry, your husband didn't get the training he needed, because we were too busy playing games in Washington.'' That, Mr. Speaker, is unacceptable.

The time is now for us to come together as a Nation and fund our military. I urge every one of my colleagues to recognize what is at stake and put the needs of our Nation before politics.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Cheney for her efforts on these issues, as well as Chairman Thornberry and Chairwoman Granger for their unwavering support and commitment to our military and our special operators.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary career of Master Sergeant Danny D. Reynolds.

In 1988, MSG Reynolds entered the Indiana Army National Guard. After completing Basic Training and Advance Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, MSG Reynolds became active duty on July 25, 1990. He was first assigned to Delta Company 15th Engineer Battalion, 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. From there, MSG Reynolds served all over the world, from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to as far away as Yongsan, South Korea.

Deployed on numerous operational assignments around the globe and through some of our nation's toughest times, MSG Reynolds stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Some of his most notable engagements took place in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and during his two deployments with the Theater Civil Military Support Element in support of Special Operations Command Pacific. Throughout these operations, he delivered on the promise to keep America safe and confront our enemies head on under the most difficult conditions.

During his career, MSG Reynolds received numerous medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. His foreign badges include Korean, French and German Parachutist Badges. These awards and decorations are a testimony to his monumental success in safe-guarding America.

While defending our nation overseas, MSG Reynolds most important commitment was to his family back home. He and his wife, Michele, raised five children during MSG Reynolds' illustrious career. This country cannot repay the debt we owe to MSG Reynolds and his family-- the Reynolds' are true American heroes. I wish him well in what is sure to be an active retirement.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the career of Master Sergeant Danny D. Reynolds.

Mr. Speaker, America has always been the land of opportunity, but I am hearing, as I travel my district, a renewed sense of optimism that is exciting. Our economy is stronger. Families have more money in their paychecks. Workers are seeing bonuses and better wages. Unemployment is at historic lows. Job openings are at historic highs, and confidence is soaring.

As a direct result of our tax cuts, about 90 percent of our workers are

keeping more of what they make. The average tax cut this year in my district was over $900. Like a constituent who commented on my Facebook wall put it: ``Any time that the American taxpayer has more money in their pocket, it's a good thing.'' Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more.

Businesses and workers are seeing tremendous benefits, too. With the tax savings, businesses all across the country are expanding and hiring more people. In my district, a local brewery can now purchase new equipment and raise wages. A local manufacturer told me she plans to expand operations and bring on new employees.

Working with the Trump administration, I will continue to work to build on this progress so that more people can achieve their American Dream.