Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 6747 and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. President, 9 months ago, both Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly voted to close the hemp loophole. It happened right here. They wanted to stop intoxicating hemp products being sold and marketed to kids. It is no accident that these products are made to look exactly like something that a kid would want.

Emergency departments have seen a 461-percent increase in cases of pediatric cannabis poisoning, and most of those were children 4 years old or younger.

This body agreed right here 9 months ago that we wouldn't compromise the health and safety of the American people--especially our kids--so today, I am simply asking my colleagues just to reaffirm a decision we made 9 months ago right here.

My opponents have asked: What is the harm in a monthlong delay? I am going to tell you. The goal is not an extra month to work on policy, as many have said. The well-oiled hemp lobbying machine has already had 9 months to do that. The real goal is to jam us in December on a must- pass package and to permanently entrench their intoxicating products into the machinery of government.

Opponents say that this would stop research into hemp-derived products for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare, but what does allowing unregulated, intoxicating edibles on gas station shelves have to do with CMS' ability to study hemp- derived products for pain relief? Not a thing. Not a thing at all.

So once again, I ask my colleagues to join me in doing what we have already done 9 months ago. Support my amendment. Just vote no to table this and close this dangerous loophole, just as 76 of us, Republicans and Democrats, did just 9 months ago.

Mr. President, I ask for remaining time.

Mr. President, every parent in America, they want the same thing. They want to know that their kids are safe. As U.S. Senators, each of us has a responsibility to the millions of parents we represent for the safety and welfare of American kids first.

And that is exactly why--just 9 months ago on this very floor--76 Members of this body voted to close the hemp loophole that allowed these dangerous substances to be sold in unregulated retail stores.

But since last November, the intoxicating hemp industry has attempted to delay our effort to close this dangerous loophole.

May I show you some of the products that you can find in some of these stores?

It looks like a familiar brand, but if you look closely--well, sometimes they use the brand name. But how about something like Slizzles? Pretty deceptive.

You know, these companies want to continue selling these intoxicating THC substances loosely labeled as hemp products. They want to put them on the shelves of local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores nationwide.

And the problem doesn't stop there. The packaging is unmistakably designed to appeal to kids. Using these bright colors, they intentionally mimic popular snack food and candy brands like this.

But what is most concerning is how easy it is for a child to walk into a convenience store and pick up what looks like their favorite snack or their favorite candy without realizing that they are actually buying an intoxicating substance.

See a familiar--what might be a familiar brand here, but it is Stoneo. How about that?

So it is difficult enough for an adult to distinguish the minor difference on these name-brand products and intoxicating substances on the shelves. I mean, just look at the examples. So are you telling me that this is not intentional?

You know, the four basic principles of marketing are product, price, place, and promotion. And what we are looking at right here, it is a crash course in all four: how to package a product; how to make it appealing; how to put it in front of consumers; and how to promote it, while attempting to evade Federal law.

You know, this is not some innocent coincidence. You don't accidentally create packaging for an intoxicating substance that bears a strange resemblance to a recognizable brand. You don't accidentally make an intoxicating product look something like a child would recognize from a grocery store shelf without reasonable intent.

Now this is marketing by design, and it is designed--it is designed-- to evade the law. The resemblance here is absolutely outrageous, and it is putting our kids at risk each and every day.

And over the past few years, we have already seen the horrifying consequences play out in emergency rooms across the country.

From 2018 to 2023, emergency departments in the United States that responded to pediatric cannabis poisoning increased by 461 percent; 91 percent of those patients were 4 years or younger--91 percent. And 45 percent of those kids--ages zero to 11--45 percent of them required hospitalization.

These numbers, they are not just statistics. They represent children ending up in emergency rooms--45 percent of them. And why? Because the intoxicating hemp industry wants to make a cheap dollar.

Now, in my home State of North Carolina, cannabis consumption-coded emergency department visits among minors, they increased by 969 percent between 2017 and 2025. That is almost 1,000 percent increase, and that is nothing short of alarming.

THC can have very serious consequences for adults. It can trigger psychosis, addiction, manic episodes, bipolar relapse, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. And having assessed those risks, it makes it utterly irresponsible to turn around and put those same THC substances within reach of our kids.

It is also impacting our workforce. Able-bodied adults, they are unable to hold jobs that require them to take a drug test. Stores near military bases sell these products to men and women in the armed services, making them ineligible for military service. And that is also no accident.

I can't tell you how many times that I have sat down with a family in my office that has tragically lost a son or a daughter because they became addicted to these disguised substances, and it is just heartbreaking to witness. It is heartbreaking to have those conversations, and, yet, they keep coming to my office. We keep hearing their stories.

There are young people who no longer walk this Earth. They will never graduate. They will never go to college. They will never start a career. They will never get married. They will never have children. And they will never get the chance to experience the life that was ahead of them because these dangerous substances robbed them of their future.

And I am appalled at the well-oiled, slick lobbying machine--which is very well connected in this town, by the way--that has chosen to wage this surreptitious war against our efforts to protect American children.

So let me be clear to my colleagues. I am not going to back down on this. I am not going to waver. I am not going to stop until this life- threatening loophole is closed permanently.

And we are going to have this fight before the end of this Congress, and I can assure you that I am not going to stop fighting to protect American children.

And I have already had numerous conversations with the White House about this issue, and I am willing to have a larger conversation about marijuana. We may not agree, but I will have the conversation.

But I want to make one thing really, really clear: Making THC intoxicating substances readily accessible to our kids is an entirely different issue from the medical marijuana movement.

Today, we are talking about unregulated hemp products being sold on the shelves of nearly every corner store in America. These intoxicating substances--they are hiding in plain sight, and they are putting our kids at risk.

Parents should never have to face the fear that sending their child into a convenience store for a snack or a treat could mean that that child walks out with a product that can get them high.

And that is not too much to ask. It is just common sense. And it is our responsibility to make sure that the millions of parents that we represent--that they can trust the product sitting on store shelves, that they are safe for their kids.

I am not here to obstruct the Senate for the sake of obstruction. I am here because I have a duty to the millions of parents in North Carolina who have sent me to Washington to be their voice and, above all, to protect their children.

To every parent in North Carolina: I hear you. I stand with you. You have my word I am not going to back down, and I am not going to stop fighting until we get this right.

This is a public health crisis that deserves this Senate's immediate attention. Our children should never be the testing ground for an industry willing to exploit a loophole in Federal law for profit.

We need to strip this amendment from the continuing resolution and regulate these harmful substances for exactly what they are, not what the industry wants to call it.

So if substances cause intoxication--like marijuana--then it should be regulated as such, not given a free pass as hemp. There is no loophole worth putting a child's well-being at risk.

I yield the floor.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a multigenerational American small business that has proudly served the community of Ronda, NC, for 150 years: H.G. Greene's General Store. Founded in 1876 by James Clignman ``J.C.'' Greene, H.G. Greene's General Store is Wilkes County's oldest retail business.

Born in 1856, J.C. Greene was orphaned after the passing of his parents William and Frances Canady Greene in 1863. As a young man, J.C. Greene opened the doors to his first general store at the same four-way intersection in Wilkes County where it remains operational today.

The store is named after Harry ``H.G.'' Greene, who started working in the store at the age of 12 after his father J.C. was injured in a fall. He operated the store until about a year before he died at the age of 89 in 1993.

Harry's son Bob and his wife Darlene Greene now continue the family legacy, constructing a new storefront in 1973 near the original store site in the Yadkin Valley. Later, the Greene family expanded the general store's footprint to incorporate a second location in Jonesville.

Generations of North Carolinians have relied on this historic retailer as a one-stop shop for everything from produce and baked goods to artisanal goods, apparel, and outdoor gear. And the general store's front porch has long been a consistent community hub for North Carolinians to gather.

I firmly believe that what makes America's family-owned and operated small businesses endure across generations is not simply their longevity, but their unwavering commitment to the communities they serve. These businesses become more than places of commerce; they become gathering places, trusted neighbors, and cornerstones of local life. Through changing times and economic challenges, they continue to show up for their communities with the same dedication that first earned them the trust of their customers.

Without a shadow of doubt, H.G. Greene's General Store has lived up to that standard.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 150th anniversary of H.G. Greene's General Store with a round of applause for this great American small business.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Clayton nomination.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a patriot and veteran, retired U.S. Navy Commander John ``Jack'' Holland.

Mr. Holland's passion for flying came from joining the naval aviation program following his last semester of college. He received his Navy wings a year and a half later and began an illustrious career as a pilot at Naval Air Station Miramar just outside of San Diego. His first orders were to join an attack squadron flying a Douglas AD Skyraider.

Over the next 23 years, Mr. Holland transitioned to jets and completed eight aircraft carrier deployments to the Western Pacific, including five deployments to Vietnam. A notable position of honor was serving as the Navy Seventh Fleet Liaison Officer with the U.S. Air Force at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon. Mr. Holland last served as the commanding officer of a Navy Fighter Aggressor Squadron at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.

After retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1978, Mr. Holland's contributions and passion for flying continued with his service as an engineering consultant for a Navy contractor at the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, CA. During his service, he was responsible for developing the software management plan for the Navy's F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and other strategic missile programs.

On July 8, 2026, at 91, Mr. Holland is returning to First Flight Airport and the Wright Brothers National Memorial to commemorate his years of service as a Navy pilot. He will arrive as a passenger, scale Big Kill Devil Hill, walk to the First Flight Boulder, and recall the views from the aircraft that flew over the same ground revered by this great Nation. Join me in saluting Mr. Holland, not only for his faithful service to this country, but for his return visit to First Flight.

Mr. President, if you open a history book in any middle school classroom in America, you are going to find a very familiar pattern. Throughout history, societies have repeatedly decided that certain groups of people were exceptions to the promise of human dignity.

When we look back on those injustices, it seems almost impossible to understand how people could have accepted such profound disregard for human life. Yet history shows that these tragedies rarely begin with hatred alone; they begin with a more subtle idea that some human beings somehow fall outside the circle of protection owed to everyone else.

Every generation faces its own unique question about human dignity, which brings me to a question, and I would like my colleagues and the American people and especially the next generation of leaders--some of them in this room today--the question is, Who deserves human dignity?

In the land of freedom and opportunity, we are constantly talking about equality, inclusion, and defending the most vulnerable, and we should ask those questions. I mean, those are fundamentally American values. But those ideas only mean something if they are applied consistently.

For 250 years, Americans have prided ourselves on being the voice of the voiceless, but for some reason, far too many fall silent when the dignity of the smallest and the most vulnerable members of our human race is questioned, and that is the unborn.

But human dignity is not conditional. It does not depend on age or size or ability or circumstance. Human dignity is inherent. It can't be earned. It can't be granted. It can't be taken away. And the most fundamental dignity we all possess is the right to life.

So if we aspire to be a nation that defends the equal dignity of every person, then our actions both at home and abroad must reflect the values we profess. The United States cannot credibly champion human rights while pursuing policies that deny the unborn the most basic right of all, and that is the right to life.

So as we approach the fourth anniversary of the ruling in Dobbs, there is more that we must do to defend the right to life. So I applaud the Trump administration for uncovering loopholes that previous administrations exploited to use U.S. foreign aid programs to fund and promote abortion abroad.

One of the greatest measures of American leadership is not merely the power that we profess, but it is the principles that we project. And it is the values we champion abroad that should reflect the values we share at home.

If human dignity is truly universal, then the foreign aid funded by American taxpayers must be consistent with our Nation's most fundamental truth, and that is that every human life possesses inherent dignity and that the first human right is the right to life.

That is why I have introduced the Protecting Human Flourishing in Foreign Assistance Act, so that we don't repeat history.

My bill would codify the Trump administration's efforts to once again put American values first in U.S. foreign assistance programs, preventing any future administration from using such programs as loopholes to deny life to the unborn.

One day, history will render its verdict on whether we choose to defend human dignity. It is my hope that future generations find that we remain faithful to America's first principle: that we are all created equal.

I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. 4873 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. I further ask that the bill be considered read a

third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Mr. President, my colleague, whom I very much respect, has chosen to support the loophole through this objection. It allows taxpayer dollars to be used in a manner contrary to the values we cherish at home, allowing no voice to the voiceless.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor a significant milestone in Marine Corps aviation history. Earlier this month, on June 3, the AV-8B Harrier aircraft retired from combat after four decades in service.

Since the aircraft's introduction in 1985, the Harrier has symbolized the Marine Corps' elite operational mobility. Its vertical and short takeoff, combined with its landing capabilities, have enabled marines to operate from remote locations and ships around the world. From supporting missions in diverse environments, including Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf, the jump jet has proven itself to be a reliable aircraft time and time again.

The Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, NC, is home to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and it has served as the center of the Harrier community for over 40 years. Under the command of Lt. Col. John Cumbie at VMA-223--the final Harrier squadron--all pilot training and daily operations have taken place in Havelock, making the Harrier a familiar presence.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to fly over Eastern North Carolina in a Harrier jet with Maj. Lucas Pumphrey, Maj. Eric Scheibe, and Brig. Gen. Shannon Brown. Experiencing the aircraft's capabilities firsthand offered a powerful reminder that behind every mission are exceptional marines whose skill, discipline, and dedication to duty make these operations possible and help preserve the security of the United States and our allies.

The AV-8B Harrier has retired from service, but it will be preserved at STARBASE STEM education center at Cherry Point, where it will be on display for the public. This transition from a warfighting aircraft to a prominent piece of military history will continue to inspire generations to come.

Mr. President, please join me in honoring the Harrier, its storied history at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and the brave marines that flew the AV-8B.

Mr. President, today, I rise in honor of National Small Business Month to recognize North Carolina's 1.1 million small businesses that drive our State's growing workforce and thriving economy across all 100 counties. There is no doubt that our State's small businesses are the reason for North Carolina's ranking as the No. 1 state in the country for doing business. Making up a significant percentage of all businesses across our great State, North Carolina's small businesses represent the very best of American ingenuity, resilience, and determination.

As a small business owner myself, I understand the daily challenges and sacrifices that come with keeping a business on its feet. This National Small Business Month, I want to recognize one of North Carolina's leading small businesses, Mother Murphy's Flavors, a three- generation-owned-and-operated business based in Greensboro, NC. This year, Mother Murphy's Flavors celebrates its 80th year in business, crafting high-quality flavors for food and beverages. The company currently employs over 150 North Carolinians and, over the years, has grown its international footprint, now shipping products to over 30 countries worldwide.

What started as a side business venture for founder Kermit Murphy, Sr., and Dr. Richard Stelling in 1946 has become an internationally recognized company with a steadfast commitment to enhancing the food and beverage industry by creating flavor solutions with quality ingredients that customers can rely on.

From taking orders with pen and paper to becoming a trusted partner for global food corporations and specialty beverage manufacturers, Mother Murphy's Flavors is a testament to what vision, grit, and craftsmanship can build. Over eight decades, this small business with humble beginnings has grown into a multigenerational success, proving that small business excellence, when passed down with care, becomes a legacy that endures.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life, service, and legacy of Representative James Michael ``Mike'' Clampitt of Bryson City, NC--a devoted public servant, firefighter, and advocate for the people of western North Carolina.

Representative Clampitt passed away on March 18, 2026, at the age of 71, following a long and courageous battle with bone marrow cancer. Throughout his illness, he carried himself with strength, resilience, and an unwavering faith that defined his life.

Mike Clampitt dedicated his life to service. Prior to his election to public office, he served as a fire captain, and that frontline experience shaped his perspective and guided his work in government, particularly his commitment to supporting first responders across North Carolina.

First elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2016 and taking office in 2017, Representative Clampitt served the 119th District, representing the mountain communities of Swain, Jackson, and Transylvania Counties. He quickly became known as a strong and consistent advocate for rural western North Carolina.

During his time in the general assembly, Representative Clampitt worked to advance policies that supported public safety, strengthened local infrastructure, and ensured that rural communities of western North Carolina were not overlooked. He was heavily engaged in efforts to increase resources for first responders and to secure meaningful support for communities in western North Carolina recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Those who served alongside him knew him as a man of conviction and individuality. Those who met Mike would never forget him. He brought a distinct personality to the legislature, often recognized for his colorful wardrobe, silvery beard and mustache, and the wooden coins he would distribute as his ``business card.'' Representative Clampitt will be most remembered for his willingness to stand firmly for the people and principles he believed in.

North Carolina Speaker of the House Destin Hall described him as ``a true patriot'' who viewed public service as both a calling and a duty. That sense of purpose was evident in the way Representative Clampitt approached his work and in the relationships he built with constituents.

He remained committed to his district until the very end, having recently secured victory in his party's primary election, a reflection of the

trust and confidence placed in him by the people he served. His strength while battling his illness resonated deeply with his colleagues and his constituents.

Beyond his legislative accomplishments, Mike Clampitt will be remembered as a man deeply connected to his community: a neighbor, a friend, and a public servant who cared deeply about western North Carolina.

To his family, friends, colleagues, constituents, and his legislative assistant Young Bae, we extend our deepest condolences. His life of service leaves a lasting legacy in the mountains of North Carolina.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor a significant milestone in Raeford, NC's history. This year, the city celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Raeford's history began long before its municipal incorporation in 1901. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Gaelic-speaking Highland Scots settled in the region, and their heritage is still proudly celebrated today at historic sites like the Mill Prong House. The city's namesake is tied to its early pioneer spirit. In 1885, two influential residents, John McRae, a turpentine distillery operator, and A.A. Williford, a general store owner, established the name for the local post office by combining their names, ``Rae'' and ``ford.''

In 1899, the community's population grew as the Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad was extended. This growth paved the way for Raeford's official municipal incorporation 125 years ago. Then, in 1911, the city of Raeford was rightfully designated as the county seat of the newly formed Hoke County.

In 1918, Camp Bragg was established in Raeford during World War I. Today, Fort Bragg serves as America's 9-1-1 military force and is home to the elite 82nd Airborne Division and our Nation's Special Operations Forces. The military installation now occupies one-third of the land in Hoke County, and the city of Raeford remains a steadfast support system for our men and women in uniform and their families.

Over the past 125 years, Raeford has built a storied history as a metropolitan hub with a smalltown feel and a tight-knit community. Residents of Raeford have gone on to proudly represent their city, their State, and their country as world-class athletes, Olympians, and, of course, military heroes. There is no doubt that the city of Raeford represents the best of North Carolina's spirit, driven by hard work and united by a deep sense of community.

Please join me in celebrating 125 years of Raeford, NC's rich heritage and patriotic service.

Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of 80 percent of Americans, including millions of North Carolinians who are asking Congress to ensure that only Americans can vote in American elections.

The charge here, it is really that simple, but I find it ironic that we are once again debating an 80-20 issue because my Democrat colleagues refuse to accept the stance held by an overwhelming majority of their own constituents.

Staging political theater on such commonsense issues, it has really become routine for Democrats. Let's take, for example, a few things: keeping our borders wide open, opposing the deportation of dangerous criminals, defunding the police, backing radical gender ideology for children, and allowing biological men to compete in women's sports.

And, like clockwork, here we are again, but this time my colleagues across the aisle are refusing to keep our elections fair, transparent, and secure by requiring proof of citizenship to register and have voter ID at the polls. Over 70 percent of Democrats across our country-- Democrats--believe that voter ID should be required, but it seems that Senate Democrats couldn't care less.

And why is that? Because instead of accepting the will of the people that they represent, Senate Democrats have chosen to dig their heels in on their failed campaign as the party of open borders and illegal immigration.

By opposing the SAVE America Act, Senate Democrats are telling the American people, loud and clear, that they don't care about preserving the right to vote for American citizens because of their political agenda, which props up illegal immigrants over working-class Americans.

My Democrat colleagues should understand that it is a Federal offense for any noncitizen to vote in a Federal election. Providing proof of identification is a basic security measure, and everyone knows that.

When you board an airplane, you go to the doctor, you start a new job, or even if you get a library card, you are required to show proof of government identification.

In North Carolina, we require every voter to show a government ID before voting. Twenty-three other States already have this same voting law on their books, and nearly every European country has voter ID laws in place. And why? Because power in a democratic society is vested in the will of the people, and that fundamental right to self- determination must be protected at all cost.

I want to address a misleading claim that my Senate colleagues across the aisle continue over and over and over to repeat. Senate Democrats claim that the SAVE America Act would somehow disenfranchise millions of Americans, and that is just false.

This legislation does not target any American citizen eligible to vote; instead, it protects them. The SAVE America Act ensures that only U.S. citizens participate in Federal elections by requiring States to maintain accurate voter rolls and stopping noncitizens from voting. That is not disenfranchisement.

But, at its core, this bill is about restoring trust. The American people deserve to have confidence in our Federal elections, and they deserve peace of mind to know that their right as American citizens to determine the future of our country is not diluted by noncitizens meddling in our democratic process. The SAVE America Act puts the integrity of our Republic first again.

President Trump--he has been a steadfast champion of voter ID, and he has encouraged Congress to move this legislation forward because the state of our Nation depends upon protecting the power of the people, and I agree with the President. Ensuring that certainty in our Federal elections, it really shouldn't be controversial at all.

But every single time President Trump supports a policy, no matter how logical it is, Democrats draw a hard line in the sand and they oppose it. Common sense and deciding policy based on the merit of its principles seems right now to mean nothing to Senate Democrats because they refuse to come to the negotiating table to responsibly lay out their concerns and negotiate in good faith.

And when I travel to all 100 counties in North Carolina, I hear the same frustration. Americans see Congress stuck in gridlock with negotiation replaced by partisan stonewalling. I think the American people deserve better.

I am all for having passionate disagreements, you know, but a friendly debate, it is just as American as it gets. But discord should never be an excuse for obstruction, and partisan games are no substitute for responsible governance.

That is not what Americans sent us here to do. We must listen to the 80 percent of Americans calling on us to restore trust in our Federal elections by ensuring that only citizens can vote.

The American people, they didn't send us here to posture. They sent us here to legislate, and legislating requires setting aside partisanship, returning to common sense, and doing what is best for the country and not what is politically self-serving.

So I hope my colleagues across the aisle--that they will listen to the overwhelming majority of Americans, Republicans and Democrats, calling for action and vote to pass the SAVE America Act now.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life, service, and long-awaited homecoming of Private Luther Leru ``Dusty'' Rhodes of Edneyville, Henderson County, NC, a U.S. marine who gave his life in defense of our Nation during World War II.

Luther Rhodes was born in Edneyville on March 22, 1924, and raised on his family's farm in the Blue Ridge, Appalachian Mountains alongside nine brothers and sisters.

From an early age, Luther learned the values of hard work, devotion to family, responsibility to others, values that shaped the man that he would become and guided his decision to serve his country.

At just 17 years old, Luther was determined to enlist. After receiving his father's permission, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps on November 11, 1941--just weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He completed recruit training at Parris Island and was assigned to L Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division at New River-- now Camp Lejeune--NC.

In late May 1942, Private Rhodes deployed to New Zealand and soon thereafter took part in the amphibious landings on Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942--the first major American offensive of the war in the Pacific. His unit captured Henderson Field and then endured months of sustained, often brutal combat, including Bloody Ridge and battles along the Matanikau River.

During this period, Luther became known among his fellow Marines as the Kid and by the nickname ``Dusty.'' He was young and slight, with light blond hair and a boyish face, but he demonstrated courage and resolve beyond his years. He earned the respect of the men with whom he served.

On the night of October 7, 1942, during the Third Battle of the Matanikau, Japanese forces attempted to break through marine lines. In the darkness and confusion of that engagement, Luther Rhodes was killed in action. He was 18 years old.

His fellow marines recovered his body the following morning. One of them, Lawrence ``Hardrock'' Gerkin, who had taken Luther under his wing, was informed personally of the young marine's death. When Gerkin saw Luther's body wrapped in a poncho, he was overcome with grief. He ordered the men carrying him to handle him with care. Decades later, those who witnessed that moment still recalled how Luther's blond hair appeared alongside the battlefield.

But the chaos of the war and the movement of his remains afterward created lasting uncertainty. Luther's body was buried in a temporary Marine cemetery on Guadalcanal, but his remains were never returned home. In 1949, he was declared permanently nonrecoverable.

His parents wrote to the Marine Corps in 1946, pleading for information and expressing their hope that their son could one day be returned to the United States for his final resting place.

Their youngest son Marvin grew up never knowing his brother. Luther died when Marvin was just 6 months old. For decades, Marvin searched for answers. He submitted DNA. He attended briefings. He followed every lead that he could, and eventually he lost hope that his brother would ever be found.

Then, last year--in 2025--the phone rang. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency had identified Luther Rhodes from remains buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. Advances in DNA technology had finally made it possible.

After 83 years, Luther was coming home.

For the people of Henderson County, that news meant something deep. It meant a son of the mountains who left home as a teenager to serve his country was finally coming back to the hills that raised him.

Next weekend, Luther Rhodes will be laid to rest at Edneyville United Methodist Church, near his parents and siblings, in the soil they prayed he would one day return to--back in the Appalachian Mountains, among his own people.

That identification came through persistence, careful research, and an unwavering commitment to the principle that no American servicemember should ever be forgotten. It came through the extraordinary work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. It came through the advocacy of the Hedrick-Rhodes VFW Post 5206 in Hendersonville. It came through the determination of family members and community leaders who refused to abandon the search.

To Marvin Rhodes and the entire Rhodes family, the people of North Carolina honor your brother. We honor your sacrifice, and we are grateful that Luther is finally coming home.

I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Private Luther Leru ``Dusty'' Rhodes, U.S. Marine Corps, and in reaffirming our commitment to never cease our efforts to account for those who remain missing in action.

May God bless the memory of Luther Rhodes, and may God bless the United States of America.

Madam President, I rise today to commend the law enforcement officers of Graham County, NC, for their exceptional efforts in the completion of Operation Dirty Laundry. This 11-month undercover investigation successfully disrupted a large-scale criminal network in Appalachia. The operation unveiled a coordinated criminal enterprise involving drug trafficking and illegal gambling in Western North Carolina.

The investigation began with tips about unlawful activity tied to multiple businesses in and around Robbinsville, including 30 vape shops that were in the area.

The Graham County Sheriff's Office worked in conjunction with State and Federal partners to uncover some horrific evidence. On the scene, law enforcement discovered more than $200,000 in illicit cash that was seized, along with 130 pounds of dangerous scheduled substances-- including marijuana, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and hallucinogenic mushrooms--and 13 illegal gambling machines. Authorities are pursuing charges against more than 38 individuals connected to this criminal activity.

But these numbers are not just statistics; they represent safer neighborhoods, families shielded from the devastation of addiction, and young people steered away from the life-altering trap of dangerous drugs. For North Carolinians of Graham County, the completion of this operation brings a renewed hope and reassurance that local law enforcement is standing firm and holding criminals accountable that seek to exploit our communities.

I want to extend my gratitude to my good friend Graham County sheriff Brad Hoxit and to every other officer and deputy in his department who worked tirelessly and took on personal risk to keep their community safe.

Your courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment represent the very best of public service.

I applaud the continuing efforts of local law enforcement to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.

I am going to continue to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to keep North Carolina strong. As I have said before on the Senate floor, drug traffickers will find no refuge in Western North Carolina or anywhere in the Old North State.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, 1 year ago, Hurricane Helene brought devastating winds and recordbreaking rainfall to Western North Carolina. Families were displaced; homes were destroyed; and, tragically, lives were lost. Even in the face of devastation, North Carolinians showed remarkable strength, unity, and compassion.

Today, I rise to recognize Mr. Eddie Hunnell of Holly Springs, NC, who exemplified that spirit. On Friday, September 27, 2024, floodwaters surged through the North Fork New River in Grassy Creek, NC. Mr. Hunnell had made a 3\1/2\-hour trip to Western North Carolina to celebrate his son's wedding.

But what should have been a joyous occasion quickly turned into a crisis. As rising water carried trees, furniture, and other debris downstream, Mr. Hunnell spotted a 66-year-old Grassy Creek resident in distress, Ms. Leslie Worth. She was wearing a life jacket. She was standing in the second-story bedroom window of her home that had been knocked from its foundation.

Ms. Worth bravely jumped out of the window to save her own life. She plunged into the dangerous conditions and was swept up by the current. And without a moment's hesitation, Mr. Hunnell made the brave decision to attempt to rescue her. He steered a canoe through the flood, then, undeterred by the raging current, leapt into the water and swam to reach her. Through determination and resolve, he swam to her to safer ground, undoubtedly saving her life. This was nothing short of an act of extraordinary bravery and selflessness.

Once Ms. Worth was reunited with her husband, Mr. Hunnell welcomed the couple to join the family that evening at his son's rehearsal dinner. He knew they were without a home, without a meal, and without any warmth. He even went further by setting up a fund to help them rebuild their lives, and he was the very first to contribute.

In June, Mr. Hunnell was recognized for this extraordinary act of heroism as a recipient of the Carnegie Medal. This award honors civilians who risk death or serious physical injury, to an extraordinary degree, saving or attempting to save the lives of others. And I can think of no one more deserving than he.

The motto of the great State of North Carolina is ``Esse quam videri,'' which means ``to be rather than to seem.'' I firmly believe Mr. Hunnell has lived out our State's motto to the fullest. His actions remind us that in times of crisis, ordinary individuals can perform extraordinary deeds. I am grateful for his swift, lifesaving intervention during Hurricane Helene to save an innocent life.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring him for his exemplary service. May his courage continue to be an inspiration for us all.

I yield the floor.

(Mrs. BRITT assumed the Chair.)