Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Marvin Kahn, a proud champion of Florida's citrus industry.

Marvin was born in Sebring, Florida on April 18, 1933. From his earliest days, he grew to appreciate his family's orange groves with his sister and two brothers. It was clear from an early age that Marvin was on track to do great things in our community's agricultural sector. He developed a keen interest in both oranges and cattle. In high school, he joined the Future Farmers of America, served on student council and was elected as a class officer each year.

Marvin pursued an agricultural education at the University of Florida, where he graduated in 1956 with a major in Animal Science and a minor in Citrus. It was there that he met his future wife, Elsa Babette Kessler. They later had two children, Steven and Leah.

After graduating, Marvin put his expertise into practice by developing a cattle ranch in Hardee County. He and Elsa lived there for two years before moving back home to Sebring to manage his family's groves. He then founded Kahn Groves, Inc. to manage his family's property. Marvin later expanded his operations by launching Kahn Grove Services in 1969 to care for properties in Highlands, Hardee and Polk counties. He quickly developed a reputation as a ``grower's grower'' thanks to his philosophy of providing personalized service for his customers.

Marvin served on the Florida Citrus Commission from 1971 to 1979 at a time when the industry was booming. He was a member of the Highlands County and Florida Farm Bureau for more than 65 years, serving as president of the board. He also served as president of the Highlands County Cattleman's Association and First President of the Florida Beef Council. Marvin was deeply committed to FFA and was a founding member of the Highlands County 4-H Club Foundation. He was honored for his significant contributions to Florida agriculture with his induction into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in 2018.

On behalf of Florida's 18th Congressional District, I know that Marvin will be deeply missed by our community. But his contributions will be remembered by his friends, family and neighbors for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, February 2, 2023.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding section 1(a)(2)(A) of H. Res. 12, as amended by section 1(c) of House Resolution 78, and the order of the House of today, the Select Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government be composed of not more than 21 Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner appointed by the Speaker, of whom not more than 9 shall be appointed in consultation with the minority leader.

Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H. Res. 29.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of David ``Wally'' Waller, a Polk County, Florida, native who passed away last month at the age of 67 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Wally was a hero to our community in more ways than one, beginning with his 25-year career in law enforcement. After retiring, he became a hero to countless children while serving as program coordinator for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program.

Under Wally's leadership, Polk County's Toys for Tots was named the top program in the United States last year with more than 57,000 toys collected for over 14,000 children. Those who volunteered with him said he was the heart and soul of Toys for Tots, a title he richly deserved.

On behalf of our community, thank you, Wally and ``Well done, thy good and faithful servant.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would name a post office in Vergas, Minnesota, for Mr. Jon Glawe.

Growing up in Vergas, Minnesota, Mr. Glawe would ride along with his father, who was the rural mail carrier in Vergas. After serving in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, Mr. Glawe moved to Minneapolis and officially began his career with the U.S. Post Office in 1975.

He later moved back to Vergas and resumed work on his family's dairy farm. After his father's death in 1928, Mr. Glawe added a second full- time job and took over the rural mail route, delivering mail to the town of Vergas and the surrounding area for 36 years.

He was well-known on his route and served as a lifeline for many in the community. Even during the harshest of Minnesota winters, he would deliver mail, medicine, and food to those in need.

There is no better way to honor Jon Glawe's decades of service to the Postal Service than by naming a post office after him.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would name an Arizona post office building for Dr. C.T. Wright.

Dr. Wright was a Georgia native and dedicated public servant who devoted his life to education and community service.

He went to school in Georgia, graduating with a bachelor's degree from Fort Valley State University and a master's degree from Clark Atlanta University.

After obtaining his Ph.D from Boston University, he served as a teacher and school administrator. Over the course of his career, he worked for many of the country's historically Black colleges and universities.

He also emphasized the importance of community service and established the Light of Hope Institute, which promotes human rights around the world.

For the last two decades of his life, he moved to Arizona and lived in Fountain Hills, outside of Phoenix. There, he remained involved in the community, serving as the president of the Fountain Hills Kiwanis Club and president of the Arizona African society.

Dr. Wright was a devoted public servant, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert).

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which honors Mayor Leonard Scarcella.

In 1969, Mayor Scarcella was first elected as the mayor of Stafford, Texas, a suburb of Houston. He continued to serve as mayor until his death in 2020, making him the longest continuous-serving mayor in the United States.

During his time as mayor, he helped the town develop a strong economy. Specifically, in 1995, he worked to eliminate the city property tax for all taxpayers and eliminated the town's general obligation debt in 2014. Mayor Scarcella was a true public servant.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, this past week, my sheriff and friend, Grady Judd, celebrated 50 years of service with the Polk County Sheriff's Department. Belovedly known as ``America's Sheriff,'' Grady is renowned for his plain-spoken style and relentless commitment to the rule of law. People from all over the world tune into his live-streamed press conferences to hear his Gradyisms, such as, ``You can't fix stupid, but you can arrest it.''

Grady joined the department in 1972, at the age of 18. He rose quickly through the ranks and has served as sheriff since 2004. He has been approached many times throughout his career for running for higher office but has always responded, Why in the world would I want to do that? I have the best job in the world already.

His half century of service is just one example of how seriously he takes his commitments. Less than 1 month after joining the department all those years ago, he married his sweetheart, Marisa. They will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on September 16; and are the proud parents of 2 sons and 13 grandchildren.

Thank you, Sheriff, for all you do to keep our community safe and for being such a good and decent man.

Madam Speaker, I missed the first 5 votes in an 8 vote series on Tuesday, July 26th, due to my flight being delayed from Tampa to DCA for weather. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 386; NAY on Roll Call No. 387; YEA on Roll Call No. 388; YEA on Roll Call No. 389; and YEA on Roll Call No. 390.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Aidan Samuel Hamilton for earning the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 89 of Brandon, FL.

Only four percent of Boy Scouts reach the highest honor of Eagle Scout. This special recognition requires years of effort to develop leadership, outdoor, and service skills. To earn it, Aidan led his Troop to construct a large landscape planter at a local high school. Aidan has also volunteered at a local ministry to feed the homeless in the Tampa area and worked to raise funds for ZooTampa at Lowry Park.

Friends and fellow Scouts have described Aidan as a hard-working and dedicated member of his local community. On behalf of the Fifteenth Congressional District of Florida, congratulations again to Aidan Samuel Hamilton on earning the rank of Eagle Scout. We are proud of his continued success and appreciate his dedication to making our community a better place.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my constituents, Mr. Chuck Fowke, a home builder and developer from Valrico, Florida, who on February 10th concluded his successful term as the 2021 chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

As chairman, Chuck confronted the challenges he and his fellow builders faced during the COVID-19 pandemic head-on. His steady leadership at NAHB during the past year has paid great dividends as the housing industry has overcome new challenges.

Chuck provided a laser-like focus to keep housing moving forward by working with the administration and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to resolve issues pertaining to the price and availability of building materials, and the supply chain in general. He personally testified before Congress on this issue in October, calling on lawmakers to determine what action can be taken to address our nation's troubled building materials supply chain.

These efforts are paying dividends. Chuck and the NAHB have been working tirelessly to reduce lumber tariffs that have contributed to unprecedented price volatility and harmed housing affordability. These efforts proved successful as the Commerce Department announced on Jan. 31st that it would be lowering tariffs on Canadian lumber imports into the U.S. from 17.99 percent to 11.64 percent--a 35 percent reduction.

As founder and president of Homes by John C. Fowke Inc., Chuck has built hundreds of homes throughout Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area. He is dedicated to his industry, having previously served as president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association and the Florida Home Builders Association. In 2019, he was inducted into the Florida Home Builders Association Hall of Fame.

Chuck also recognizes the importance of giving back to the community he's helped build, having served as chairman of the Charity Women's Crisis Center's Addition and Renovation Committee. He contributed to the efforts of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Joshua House and completed a project for the Gary Sinise Foundation for a deserving military widow and her children.

I congratulate Chuck on his efforts to ensure that housing remains accessible and affordable to America's families. I congratulate him on his successful tenure.

Madam Speaker, I always appreciate my colleague from Louisiana's leadership on these important issues and I appreciate the time he is yielding me.

Madam Speaker, as my colleagues have shared, the Biden administration

has been defined by a series of self-inflicted crises. These include failed leadership on the world stage, runaway inflation, and a deliberate failure to secure our borders. In fact, you could say they are having a record year, record high inflation, record violent crime, record gas prices, record numbers of illegal immigrants, seizures of illegal drugs all at our southern border. The common denominator in each of these disasters is the President himself.

The President listened to the State Department over the recommendation of his generals, which led to last year's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He shut down American energy production, which led to skyrocketing gas prices long before Russia invaded Ukraine.

He catered to the radicals, flooding our economy with trillions in free money, and that has created the rampant inflation that we are experiencing today.

On the border, his reversal of President Trump's policies has led to nearly two million migrants pouring across our southern border since he took office. That is more than the population of 15 of our States. Think about that, the equivalent of creating a State or two every single year with the number of people crossing the border.

These disasters were completely self-inflicted, and American families are paying the price.

Despite our political differences, I take no joy in watching this administration fail. When our President fails, America fails.

Madam Speaker, the American people need and deserve a true leader. If the President is incapable of leading, he has a duty to surround himself with smart people willing to give him good counsel in the best interests of our Nation. Listen to the smart ones and not those with a track record of failure, and then act on it.

The President should focus on American energy independence, which will bring down gas prices here at home and help our allies abroad. He should not be talking to a Venezuelan dictator when we have reliable, affordable energy right here at home. He also needs to stop the out-of- control spending and reinstate tough border policies to protect our communities.

For the sake of our country, this administration must stop administrating and implementing the worst ideas of the D.C. political class and lead decisively.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague from Louisiana giving me some time to talk about this vitally critical matter.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of our border agents, who work tirelessly to defend our Nation against the flow of deadly drugs crossing our southern border. Their job is made incredibly more difficult by the Biden administration's open border policies.

I am sometimes asked why, as a Floridian, I care so deeply about what is happening on our southern border. Whether it is criminals, terrorists, human traffickers, or drug smugglers, problems at the Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California borders quickly become problems for all Americans. Florida may be hundreds of miles from the border, but illegal drugs from there are flooding our communities.

The Tampa Bay area, my home, has an overdose rate that is 50 percent higher than the national average. To put that figure in context, 30 people in the Tampa Bay area are dying every week from overdoses. Let that sink in. The lion's share of these overdoses are from fentanyl. This highly lethal drug, primarily manufactured in China and smuggled in by Mexican cartels, is many times stronger than heroin, morphine, and other opioids. As little as two milligrams, smaller than the tip of a pencil, which you can see right here in perspective relative to a penny, is often enough to kill an adult.

Fentanyl overdoses are now the number one killer of adults age 18 to 45. This is a national tragedy. It is exasperating to see the hands of our agents tied as they try to stop this crisis because their own government stands in the way. As one frustrated border agent told his chief in a recently leaked video, ``for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.''

Mr. Speaker, the Biden administration is doing worse than nothing. It is actively promoting an open border policy that allows dangerous drugs to flow into our communities. This administration has the blood of its citizens on its hands. For the safety and security of our Nation, it must stop.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the passing of Carol Jenkins Barnett.

Carol was the daughter of Publix Super Markets founder George Jenkins. She carried the mantle of generosity and philanthropy on behalf of the Jenkins family and Publix Super Market Charities, benefiting the residents of Lakeland, Polk County, the State of Florida, and beyond.

Carol had a remarkable love for her family and for the families of our community, advocating especially for children and early childhood education with her time and talent as well as her treasure.

She impacted so many people and so many communities in ways both seen and unseen. Quite simply, I have never known a more generous person than Carol Jenkins Barnett.

We will be praying for Carol's husband, Barney; their sons, Wesley and Nicholas; and their families as they mourn the loss of this exceptional woman.

Carol will be missed, but her legacy endures in the generations she has touched.