Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bruce Thompson for his achievement on being selected as the 2021 Virginia Business Person of the Year. One of Hampton Roads' most prominent developers and hoteliers, this accomplishment comes after nearly four decades of investing in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads.

A long-time businessman in Virginia Beach, Bruce opened his first hotel, Ocean House Hotel, around 1982. His overwhelming success led to the founding of Professional Hospitality Resources, Gold Key, a timeshare company, and significant achievements in the restaurant business. Bruce played a major role in establishing high-end hotel and amenities at the Oceanfront and was crucial in the revitalization of the once condemned Cavalier Hotel, turning it into the centerpiece of the Cavalier Resort.

Bruce's dedication and commitment have not been limited solely to the business sphere. He is also very active in politics and philanthropy. Over the years, Bruce has sat on numerous boards and commissions, namely, serving as Hampton Roads' regional finance chair. After his son Josh lost his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), his family founded a nonprofit that has raised more than $20 million for stem cell research and other ALS-related causes.

Madam Speaker, I am thankful for Bruce's hard work and service to the entire Virginia Beach community. It is my honor to recognize Mr. Bruce Thompson today and I have full confidence that he will continue to be an integral contributor to the Virginia Beach and Hampton Road community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Maxwell (Max) Huntley and his service to Virginia's First District and the Nation.

Max earned his bachelor's degree in English and master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Military Operations from the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College. As a NCAA All-American athlete, Max dominated the mats as the University of Michigan's first three-time wrestling team captain in the school's history.

Max joined my office in April 2017 and became my Military Legislative Assistant in February 2019 and Senior Advisor in May 2021. During his time serving Virginia's First District, Max admirably staffed my House Armed Services Committee, including my role as Sea power and Projection Forces Subcommittee Chairman and Ranking Member. Max labored tirelessly to advance the shared goal of a larger and more capable United States Navy and Marine Corps in an era of Great Power Competition.

Max has devoted his talents to the common good and the nation's defense as he follows the distinguished Huntley family tradition of service to the United States. I would like to thank Max for his contributions over the last 4 years. l wish Max the best as he continues his journey on the other side of the Capitol with Senator John Kennedy.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing Max Huntley for his dedicated service to Virginia's First District. May God bless Max as he continues his career in public service.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted yea on roll call No. 23 and 24.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 15.

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness but great respect that I take this time to remember Aubrey M. ``Bucky'' Stanley, Jr. of Hanover, Virginia, who passed away on December 31, 2021. Bucky was a longtime Hanover County resident who spent many years of his life serving his county.

Bucky graduated from Patrick Henry High School and attended North Carolina State University. He returned to Virginia to work in the lumber and timber industry, first working with a family business, Stanley Lumber, and after that, owning his own company, AMS Timer, LLC.

In 1983, Bucky won his first election in Hanover, serving 38 years on the board, and six terms as chairman. He was the longest-serving Board of Supervisors member not only in the history of Hanover County, but the Commonwealth of Virginia as well. Bucky also served as chairman of the Capital Region Airport Commission for four terms. Bucky was a true servant leader in everything that he did and always put others first.

In addition to serving his beloved Hanover, Bucky was passionate about softball, managing and sponsoring teams including Stanley Lumber, Crossfire, Buckeye Softball, Mid-Atlantic Softball, and Andy's of Ashland. He travelled around the nation to participate in the sport and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of several of the sports sanctioning organizations.

Bucky was a great family man and showed his love to them in many ways. Bucky was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey Mae Stanley Sr. and Helen Harris Stanley, and his wife, Ellen Epps Stanley. He is survived by his son, Darrell Stanley (Sheila) and his grandson, Wyatt Stanley.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we recognize the life of Aubrey M. ``Bucky'' Stanley, Jr.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Gregory Ronald ``Ron'' Herring, Sr. Ron spent his life dedicated to his family and the people of the Northern Neck. He was the kind of person who never met a stranger.

Ron graduated from Hargrave Military Academy in 1968 and went on to apprentice and graduate from Newport News Ship Building in 1972. He met the love of his life, Linda Lee, and they were married on March 14, 1970. Together they started the Home Crafters in 1987 where they erected more than 300 homes and completed countless renovations.

Throughout his life, Ron was very involved with the Morattico Baptist Church, the Northumberland County Republican Committee, the Northern Neck Home Builders Association, and the Northumberland County school system. Ron was also an avid outdoorsman with a deep love for the Northern Neck's waters. He enjoyed spending his time fishing, boating, and advocating for commercial and sport fishermen.

Ron is survived by his wife and sweetheart, Linda; sister, Georgena Herring Strawderman; daughters, Angela (Shawn) Clarke and Sara Bishop; son, Greg (Shannon) Herring; grandchildren Madison, Bobby and Jacob Clarke, Luke and McKenna Dooley, and Danielle Thompson.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me and countless others as we recognize the life of Gregory Ronald Herring, Sr.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Rogers for yielding.

Madam Speaker, our national security is in jeopardy. Russia literally has over 100,000 troops sitting on Ukraine's doorstep. Iran continues to threaten the viability of Israel and other regional nations, and China is preparing to bully the ASEAN nations into submission and declare their regional hegemony, not just in Hong Kong but the entire region.

Just this year, China surpassed the United States in battle force ships and is rapidly approaching parity in our combat aircraft.

Do we have the courage to stand up to these regional tyrants; do we oppose an Iranian regime who threatens to destabilize neighboring countries while they seek nuclear capabilities; or even do we seek to appease a North Korea who continues to threaten South Korea and even the United States with their nuclear expansion?

Our Nation sits at the precipice of a national security inflection point. I know which path our Nation should select and I am emboldened to ensure our Nation is prepared to choose, at a time of our choosing, what will be in the best interest of our Nation. A strong national defense is necessary to preserve our democratic ideals and the nations who seek to live free from subjugation and oppression.

Madam Speaker, that is why I am particularly pleased that we have rejected a multitude of national security objectives proposed by the Biden administration. This bill authorizes a 20 percent increase in ship construction, partially rejects an ill-advised ``divest to invest'' strategy, and blocks a multitude of poison pills that were haphazardly tacked on to this bill.

I thank Ranking Member Rogers and his leadership during the top-line debate this year. We are adopting his authorization vision today, a vision that ensures real growth for defense. I also particularly thank Chairman Smith and Chairman Courtney for their approach to national security and their desire to reach a bipartisan consensus, doing what is in the best interest of our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I say to my friends that this is a good bill, worthy of support. It sends a strong message to our democratic partners and allies that the United States stands with countries that oppose regional hegemony. We need to pass the National Defense Authorization Act to ensure our national security.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 392.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Barragan (Beyer)

Bucshon (Walorski)

Bustos (Brownley)

Cardenas (Soto)

Casten (Foster)

Crist (Wasserman Schultz)

DeFazio (Carbajal)

Demings (Soto)

Fulcher (Johnson (OH))

Hagedorn (Moolenaar)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Khanna (Raskin)

Lawrence (Johnson (GA))

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lesko (Miller (WV))

Moore (UT) (Curtis)

Palazzo (Fleischmann)

Payne (Norcross)

Porter (Wexton)

Posey (Cammack)

Ruiz (Aguilar)

Rush (Quigley)

Schneider (Wasserman Schultz)

Stewart (Curtis)

Swalwell (Gomez)

Tiffany (Arrington)

Underwood (Quigley)

Vela (Gomez)

Watson Coleman (Norcross)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness but great respect that I take this time to remember Frank D. Hargrove, Sr., who passed away on October 16, 2021, at the age of 94. After serving in WWII in the Army Air Corps, Frank started his political career in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1981. He went on to serve for 28 years, which is the longest tenure of any state legislator in Hanover County's history.

Frank was an adventurous young man, he learned to fly planes as a teenager and, enlisted in the Army Air Corps after graduating high school. After his service, he attended Virginia Tech where he often reminisced about his adventures with his airplane over his studies. Upon graduating, he joined his father's insurance business. He was a brilliant businessman; he assembled a team, and together they built up A.W. Hargrove Insurance Agency. He grew what started as a small family business into one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Virginia before selling it in 1997.

When Frank married Oriana Robertson, she took credit for channeling his energy to productive ends. This same energy led Frank to teach himself to sail, pick-up long-distance biking and running, and be well known for his flying stories. In 1960, he and a group of friends promoted building the Hanover County Airport, which was eventually named after him in recognition of his work.

In 1981, Frank was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates where he loved making the government work for his constituents and believed their trust had to be earned every day. He represented his constituents by serving in leadership on different committees, one being the Vice- Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee. One of his proudest accomplishments was serving as the legislative member on the Board of Trustees of the Virginia War Memorial, where he was instrumental in securing funding to restore the Memorial Shrine and Building and to create the education center and programs. He spent his off time supporting charitable organizations and was especially proud of his work on the governing bodies of Ferrum College and Randolph-Macon College. Frank aligned his philosophy closely with that of Thomas Jefferson's maxim ``the government that governs best, governs least''. Although his constituents did not always agree with his stances, they continued to elect him until he retired.

Frank's life was filled with patriotism and public service. He will be missed for his direct manner, vice grip handshake, and storytelling. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Dale Alderman (Richard Alderman), Frank Jr. (Elizabeth), Stewart (Lynn), and Wellesley (Kim), and grandchildren Oriana (Douglas Fletcher), Stewart (Dana), Sarah, Mark (Amber), Frank III, Madeleine, Mollie, Hannah, Graeme, and Bailey, and one great-grandchild, Stewart.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we recognize the many contributions of Frank D. Hargrove, Sr.

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness but great respect that I take this time to remember Edward Colston Newton IV of Warsaw, Virginia, who passed away on November 3, 2021. ``Colston'' to his loved ones, he was a man not only known for his love of family and their farm, but for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States.

Colston was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Edward Colston Newton III and Janet Daingerfield Van Winkle. He was a graduate of Warwick High School, the College of William & Mary, and the Marshall Wythe School of Law, joining the Army Judge Advocate Corps upon his graduation. Most notably, Colston was part of the prosecution of the Mai Lai Massacre in Vietnam. Following his release from the Army, he went on to serve as counsel with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during the Ford and Carter Administrations.

After Colston's service with the OMB, he went on to a private practice, then became a private practitioner, and later, a Commonwealth's Attorney for Westmoreland County. Once he no longer practiced law, Colston became a freelance journalist, winning various awards for his distinct and strong writing style.

Colston had a passion for fly fishing and nurtured his children and nephews' enjoyment of the pastime. His love for the scenic beauty of Virginia was second to his love for family.

Colston is survived by his sisters Lawrence ``Ludie'' Newton Stevens, Elizabeth Daingerfield Newton Beam, and Mary Dillon Suiers, his son John Tyler Newton (Shannon), his daughter Cynthia Macomber Newton, his companion Jayne McQuarde, 7 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son Edward Colston Newton V, who served in the U.S. Army with the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and lost his battle to cancer on July 11, 2018.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we recognize the life of Edward Colston Newton.

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I take this time to remember former Virginia Governor Linwood Holton Jr., who passed away on October 28, 2021. Linwood was the state of Virginia's first Republican governor elected post-Reconstruction, and his tireless efforts for political cooperation between the two parties led to progress that would impact not only the Commonwealth, but the entire nation.

Linwood's love for politics was sparked at a young age. In high school, he was involved in a mock government program that was run through Virginia Tech. It was at this point that Linwood realized his long-term goal in life was to serve as governor of Virginia. He then began his studies at Washington and Lee, but in 1943, he entered the Navy as an engineering officer, serving with the Submarine Force. After the war, Linwood finished his undergraduate degree at Washington and Lee and was admitted to Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1949.

Throughout Linwood's time as Governor from 1970 through 1974, he was a champion for civil rights that led the effort to end racial discrimination in Virginia. He was the first governor of Virginia to appoint black individuals to high-level government posts. He also led by example during the integration of public schools in Virginia, when he sent his children to schools being integrated.

Linwood's life was filled with patriotism and public service. Linwood believed in two-party cooperation, often reaching across the aisle to consider and enact state-wide policies that would benefit Virginians. He will be missed for his passion for change, but his impact will live on.

He is survived by his wife Virginia, his four children, Anne, Tayloe, Woody, and Dwight, and several grandchildren. His son-in-law, Senator Tim Kaine, continues his legacy of public service.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we recognize the many contributions of Linwood Holton, Jr.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Pastor Jeremy David Smith. Jeremy spent over 20 years as a leader and minister in local churches. He strove to create a family environment that shared both the challenging and celebratory times with the members of the church.

Pastor Jeremy was devout to his congregation and he was dedicated to continue Sunday Worship throughout the pandemic. He held outside services and worked to ensure the safe and comfortable experience for all members of the church, especially caring for the older members so they would be able to attend, experience, and hear the Word of God, no matter what.

David is survived by his wife, Audra Smith; children, Nicholas, Logan, Katiana, Kalista, and Korinna Smith. Madam. Speaker, I ask that you extend your thoughts and prayers to Jeremy's family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one. I pray that God is with Jeremy's family and friends during this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness but great respect that I take this time to remember Harry David Jansohn of Virginia Beach.

Harry ``Dave'' passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 18, 2021 at the age of 64 years. Harry was born in Washington, D.C. on May 19, 1957 and raised in Annandale, Virginia by his parents, Harry and Janice Jansohn, beside his two sisters, Gloria and Karen and his brother, Matthew. Dave graduated from WT Woodson high school where he was an honor student and also a first chair trumpet player in his school's orchestra.

In addition to his parents and siblings, Dave is survived by his wife, Deana and two sons, Kurt and Connor. Dave was retired from his job at NOAA as a Port Engineer in Norfolk, VA which was a job he loved. He was well thought of and respected by his coworkers at NOAA. His NOAA work colleagues visited him on a regular basis the last 10 years while he was living in nursing homes. They loved bringing him his favorite treats, beer and chocolate

chip cookies. His childhood friends, Tim and Vince Laria and college friend, Lee Daniels were also frequent visitors over the years which made Dave very happy. His friend Jesse Bacon was also someone who was a big supporter of Dave when he became ill.

Dave was previously employed by the Maritime Administration as a Marine Surveyor which was also a job he loved. Dave's true passion was deep sea fishing out of Oregon Inlet and Hatteras, NC. He was known for his ability to always find the Tuna and Marlin on fishing trips. After high school and through college he worked as a mate on charter boats there. He attended Virginia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Dave also earned the Professional Engineer designation by passing the exam on his first try. During his High School years he achieved the highest honor in scouting, Eagle Scout, which he was very proud of.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to rise with me in memory of Mr. Harry David ``Dave'' Jansohn and in thanking the Jansohn family for his incredible sacrifices, devotion, and service to our Nation; words cannot express our gratitude.

Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness but great respect that I take this time to remember one of my constituents and a special Virginian, The Honorable W. Tayloe Murphy of Westmoreland County. Tayloe Murphy passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at the age of 88.

A statesman and conservationist, Tayloe will long be remembered for his service to the Commonwealth and the Northern Neck. Tayloe represented the 99th District as a member of the Virginia General Assembly from 1982 to 2000. As Delegate, Murphy's legislative accomplishments include numerous efforts championing a healthy Chesapeake Bay, including passage of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act in 1986. Appointed by then-Governor Mark Warner, Mr. Murphy served as Secretary of Natural Resources, where he continued to advance measures protecting the Bay and preserving the Commonwealth's natural resources for future generations.

In addition to a life of public service, he also dedicated his time to improving the community in any way he could. Tayloe sat on multiple community boards. Most notably, he spent fifty-five years serving community banks in a variety of roles, including Vice Chairman with Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation. Preceded in death by his wife Helen of 63 years, the Murphy's were active in the Episcopal Churches of Couple Parish and greatly contributed to historical preservation and education at Francis Lightfoot Lee's Menokin and Westmoreland State Park.

Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Tayloe Murphy, a true Virginia Gentleman. On behalf of America's First District, we say thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Republican leader for yielding.

Similar to the previous amendment, I believe this amendment is extremely misguided. In fact, on March 24 of this year, I invited both Ms. Lee and Mr. Pocan to attend a classified briefing on the existential threats we face in great power competition.

Mr. Speaker, instead of taking me up on that offer, they continue to turn a blind eye. The chairs of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus don't want to learn about what the threats are. They don't want to learn more about the critical capabilities that would be out of the hands of our warfighters if this amendment were to pass.

I can stand here and tell that caucus about how this plus-up has $9.8 billion in procurement that is aimed directly at deterring China. That means building additional ships, among other capabilities, to keep up with China.

Or I can tell them that there is $3 billion for sustainment operations that allow our warfighters to conduct global operations, including humanitarian operations in places like Haiti.

Or I can tell them there is $3.8 billion for military construction to improve facilities in districts across the country to make sure our servicemembers aren't working in rundown facilities.

I can even tell them there is $5.2 billion for research and development that assures our future servicemembers will have what they need when called upon to do the job or to fight to victory and come home safe.

But I don't think any of that is going to resonate because these progressive Members don't want to learn about the existential threats we face. These far-left Members just want to play progressive politics, and that means weakening our national security.

To the rest of my colleagues here today, this plus-up is good for national security and good for this country.

Mr. Speaker, you can ask any service branch chief or combatant commander--because we have asked them--and they have told us these are the things that they need going forward.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge everyone to vote against this amendment.