Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Clemmons Fire Chief Jerry Brooks on his upcoming retirement from an incredible career protecting the residents of Clemmons, North Carolina.

After returning home from serving his country in the United States Army, Chief Brooks joined the Clemmons Fire Department in 1971 as a volunteer fireman. He quickly proved his mettle and cool head under pressure, and for the next eight years, he advanced through the ranks until eventuaJly being appointed Chief in 1979.

For more than 50 years--over 40 of which as Fire Chief--Chief Brooks has faithfully kept watch at his post, standing by to respond at a moment's notice to cries for help across his community. He guided his department in its transition from a largely rural force to an operation serving more than four times as many residents in less than half the space. He has also left an indelible impact on firefighting across the state as President of many professional organizations, including the NC State Firemen's Association, the Forsyth County Firefighter and Chiefs Association, and the Piedmont Firefighters Association. Despite having been honored numerous times for his exemplary service, including as the 2015 Chief of the Year, the residents of Clemmons fondly recognize Chief Brooks's humble demeanor. From escorting a World War II Honor Flight, to organizing the village's annual 9/11 memorial, it seems as though everything Chief Brooks does is a way to give back to his community.

Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Fire Chief Jerry Brooks for his many years of service to the people of Clemmons. May we all share his courage and sense of duty. I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Carolyn Barger on her upcoming retirement from a remarkable career of public service in Rowan County.

Carolyn's career in local government began in 1994 in the Town of Cleveland as a part-time clerk. Due to her strong work ethic and heart for serving the community, she was soon hired as a deputy clerk for Rowan County in 1999. Within just a few years, she was promoted to Clerk to the Rowan County Board of Commissioners in 2005. As Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, Carolyn played an essential role in local government. She officially recorded all documents, ordinances, leases, resolutions, and contracts considered or adopted by the Board. From dutifully preparing agendas and attending Board meetings, to ensuring full and accurate accounts of all actions taken by the governing body were recorded, Carolyn guaranteed the operations of Rowan County ran smoothly for over two decades.

To better serve both the Board of Commissioners and the citizens of Rowan County, Carolyn earned many professional certifications during her career. In 2010, she received the designation of North Carolina Certified County Clerk through the North Carolina School of Government. Four years later, she received the professional designation of Master Municipal Clerk as conferred by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Finally, in January 2016, the UNG School of Government bestowed upon her the designation of Master County Clerk, the highest certification a county clerk can achieve.

Beyond her work in Rowan County, Ms. Barger has been active statewide in the North Carolina Association of County Clerks. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors, Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Association. In each of these roles, she has worked tirelessly to help clerks across the state support their elected officials. In recognition of her many contributions to Rowan County and the North Carolina Association of County Clerks, Ms. Barger was awarded the Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award in 2014.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Carolyn Barger for her many years of service to Rowan County.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend some votes in this series due to my flight's schedule. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 441 and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 442.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Baird (Bucshon)

Bass (Correa)

Boebert (Gaetz)

Chu (Beyer)

Conway (Valadao)

Garcia (IL) (Correa)

Gomez (Evans)

Gottheimer (Neguse)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Jones (Beyer)

Kirkpatrick (Pallone)

Lamb (Pallone)

Lawrence (Stevens)

McEachin (Beyer)

McHenry (Donalds)

Meng (Escobar)

Napolitano (Correa)

Newman (Beyer)

Palazzo (Fleischmann)

Ruiz (Correa)

Rush (Bowman)

Ryan (OH) (Correa)

Sanchez (Pallone)

Soto (Wasserman Schultz)

Swalwell (Correa)

Vargas (Correa)

Waltz (Gimenez)

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 443, I mistakenly voted ``nay'' when I intended to vote ``yea.''

members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress

Baird (Bucshon)

Bass (Correa)

Boebert (Gaetz)

Chu (Beyer)

Conway (Valadao)

Garcia (IL) (Correa)

Gomez (Evans)

Gottheimer (Neguse)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Jones (Beyer)

Kirkpatrick (Pallone)

Lamb (Pallone)

Lawrence (Stevens)

McEachin (Beyer)

McHenry (Donalds)

Meng (Escobar)

Napolitano (Correa)

Newman (Beyer)

Palazzo (Fleischmann)

Ruiz (Correa)

Rush (Bowman)

Ryan (OH) (Correa)

Sanchez (Pallone)

Soto (Wasserman Schultz)

Swalwell (Correa)

Vargas (Correa)

Waltz (Gimenez)

Madam Speaker, on Roll Call No. 397, I mistakenly voted Nay when I intended to vote Yea.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the much-needed pay raise for our military, passed yesterday in a bill that provides critical resources to confront the national security threats from China and from Russia.

I would also like to highlight one of my amendments. Simply put, my amendment provides funding to help veterans pursue careers in education--as teachers and as school resource officers.

The House passage of this amendment is a win for everyone:

For veterans who want to pursue a career in education.

For schools who need more qualified teachers and resource officers.

And for students who will be able to learn from worthy role models about service, sacrifice and patriotism.

The Veterans-to-Classrooms program will be an excellent opportunity for veterans to continue to serve our country.

Mr. Speaker, in the month of June, I asked a poll question on one of my telephone town halls. I asked: Has your family noticed a sharp rise in prices? And 94 percent of them said: Yes. The crazy part of this is that I am not talking about this June, I am talking about last June.

The average family will be spending $5,200 more this year because of Joe Biden's inflation. We are not debating solutions to this crisis today, we are debating economic justice. But for most Americans, the most economically just thing that we can do right now is to lower gas prices for everyone, and to help seniors on fixed incomes afford their groceries.

This crisis is real. It is not transitory. It is not a so-called high-class problem. It is a tax and a burden on every citizen in our country. And as long as the Democrat majority in this Congress remains plagued by denial and distraction, the harder life will become for American families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Caswell County for celebrating its 245th anniversary.

Caswell County has a rich history, and a celebration of the county is a celebration of the people who made the region home. Established on June 1, 1777, during the Revolutionary War, the county was named in honor of Richard Caswell, one of North Carolina's delegates to the Continental Congress and the state's first non-colonial governor. Throughout the years, Caswell County has left an indelible mark on the trajectory of the Old North State. It was the birthplace of many distinguished North Carolinians such as our ``Father of Education'' Archibald Murphy, and it was the home of acclaimed furnituremaker Thomas Day. The county's farmers developed the land into an agricultural powerhouse for over two centuries, and they gained international renown for discovering the region's distinct ``bright leaf'' flue-cured tobacco. Caswell County is fortunate to continue to have residents and community leaders who are proactively engaged on the top issues facing the county and are always looking to improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the people of Caswell County for celebrating this momentous anniversary. It is my sincere hope that the county will continue to prosper over the next two centuries and beyond.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exceptional public service provided by Officers of the Asheboro, North Carolina Police Department.

On March 2, 2022, one of my constituents was scheduled for an important medical procedure. As his wife was driving him to his appointment, she suddenly began experiencing serious medical symptoms. This forced the couple to make an emergency stop at a local convenience store. Dismayed, my constituent believed he would miss the appointment for his critical operation.

Upon observing the distress of a total stranger, a good Samaritan called 9-1-1. Officers Olivia Hicks and Courtney Crisco were nearby, and they were quickly dispatched to the convenience store. Although Officer Crisco was in training that day, both she and Officer Hicks sprang into action. As the EMTs cared for the gentleman's wife, the officers personally drove my constituent to his appointment. Not content to merely ensure he had transportation for his trip home, the officers also arranged for the man to have a caretaker until the effects of the anesthesia had subsided.

Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Officers Olivia Hicks and Courtney Crisco, along with the entire Asheboro Police Department, for admirably responding to the call to protect and serve their community. Through their actions, these officers demonstrated their genuine concern for those they serve. At a time when some have called for the defunding of police departments, residents across Asheboro should be proud of such exemplars of policing and public service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stan Kelly of Winston-Salem and congratulate him on his upcoming retirement as CEO of the Piedmont Triad Partnership. With his departure from this position, he leaves the entire Piedmont region revitalized and ripe for North Carolina's next chapter in modern industry.

Stan began his distinguished career as a personal banker with Wachovia National Bank, a North Carolina-based financial institution. His industrious work ethic, charismatic personality, and keen intellect propelled him to the position of President of Wachovia's wealth management division in 2001. When Wachovia was acquired by Wells Fargo & Company in 2008, Stan was selected as the bank's regional president for the Carolinas. In this role, he ensured the brand transition from Wachovia to Wells Fargo was seamless for employees and clients, alike. His region of more than 450 branches consistently overperformed company expectations in customer service ratings, employee retention, and market share. Stan retired from Wells Fargo in 2014, leaving the company well-positioned for future success in the region.

In 2015, however, Stan was called out of retirement when the Piedmont Triad Partnership selected him as its President and CEO. For over 30 years, the Piedmont Triad Partnership has served as the region's umbrella organization for economic development and has worked arduously to promote transformational commercial growth and success in the heart of North Carolina. The Partnership has been instrumental in building upon the Piedmont's proud history of agriculture, textiles, and furniture to facilitate new, robust sectors of industry including aviation and automotive manufacturing, as well as the emerging sector of regenerative medicine.

As President and CEO of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, Stan again proved himself a remarkable leader. Under his direction, the Partnership launched the Carolina Core brand, a regional initiative to highlight existing infrastructure and develop industrial potential along the future 1-685 corridor. Regional leaders have united with Stan in promoting this economic engine capable of powering the Piedmont into the future. Stan's efforts in developing the Carolina Core have already been instrumental in attracting over 30 thousand new jobs in just five years.

Stan's other accomplishments extend far beyond financial services and economic development. Through various roles, such as Chair of the Board of Trustees of North Carolina State University and the Winston-Salem Foundation, he has studiously worked to give back to his local community and state. Earlier this month, he was honored with North Carolina's most prestigious civic award: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Despite all of Stan's accomplishments, however, he is undoubtedly most proud of his loving family: his wife, their daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Stan Kelly for his invaluable contributions to the Piedmont Triad region and the state of North Carolina. I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Karen Alexander of Salisbury, North Carolina, for her leadership to both the City of Salisbury and the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

For over a century, the North Carolina League of Municipalities has worked tirelessly to advance the interests of member cities and towns across the state. This past year, the League tasked Mayor Alexander with leading its 35-member Board of Directors as their President.

Public service and leadership are nothing new to Mayor Alexander. Ever since she was elected a Salisbury City Councilwoman in 2013, she has been a pervasive force in her hometown's municipal government. In her roles on the city council, Mayor Alexander has responsibly pursued revitalization efforts to prepare the historic town for future challenges while simultaneously leaning into its rich heritage. Her efforts to attract new businesses, restore downtown building facades, and incentivize urban revitalization have fostered a renaissance of local pride and community cohesion throughout the city. I personally have had the immense pleasure of working alongside Mayor Alexander. In witnessing her work, I have been impressed by her sharp mind, perceptive instincts, and enormous heart.

During her tenure as League President, Mayor Alexander has been instrumental in developing new and creative ways for the League to advocate for North Carolina's cities and towns. Under her direction during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the League has witnessed record-high event attendance thanks to Mayor Alexander's leadership in rolling out expanded online tools and webinars. Other contributions Mayor Alexander has made to the League are more tangible. As an architect by trade, Mayor Alexander was uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in rebuilding the League's office space. Following a devastating fire in 2017 that consumed their longtime office buildings in Raleigh, the League tapped Mayor Alexander to serve on their building committee. Under her guidance as President, plans are being set in motion to develop a new facility to ensure North Carolina's cities and towns have a permanent home for extraordinary advocacy.

Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Mayor Karen Alexander for her generous spirit and invaluable management. Both the City of Salisbury and the North Carolina League of Municipalities have benefited immensely from her years of impactful service. I am sure they both will be blessed by the fruits of her leadership for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes in D.C. due to an important constituent event. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 103, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 104, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 105, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 106, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 107.

Madam Speaker, due to a change in my scheduled flight, I was unable to reach the Capitol Building in time to cast a vote.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 71, and YEA on Roll Call No. 72.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend the vote due to an important meeting with constituents in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 82.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Barr (Guthrie)

Bass (Takano)

Bergman (Stauber)

Bowman (Garcia (IL))

Brooks (Moore (AL))

Brown (OH) (Jeffries)

Calvert (Garcia (CA))

Cardenas (Gomez)

Carter (LA) (Newman)

Carter (TX) (Hudson)

Cawthorn (Fallon)

Clarke (NY) (Jeffries)

Connolly (Wexton)

Crenshaw (Fallon)

Crist (Wasserman Schultz)

Cuellar (Correa)

Curtis (Moore (UT))

Dean (Scanlon)

DeLauro (Courtney)

DeSaulnier (Beyer)

Deutch (Rice (NY))

Dingell (Cicilline)

Doyle, Michael F. (Evans)

Fortenberry (Moolenaar)

Frankel, Lois (Wexton)

Fulcher (Johnson (OH))

Garamendi (Correa)

Garbarino (Jacobs (NY))

Gohmert (Weber (TX))

Golden (Courtney)

Harder (CA) (Beyer)

Harshbarger (Kustoff)

Higgins (NY) (Pallone)

Johnson (GA) (Correa)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Kahele (Mrvan)

Kaptur (Lawrence)

Kim (NJ) (Pallone)

Kind (Beyer)

Kinzinger (Meijer)

Kirkpatrick (Pallone)

LaHood (Miller (WV))

LaMalfa (Palazzo)

Larson (CT) (Cicilline)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lesko (Miller (WV))

Lofgren (Jeffries)

Maloney, Carolyn B. (Wasserman Schultz)

McEachin (Wexton)

McHenry (Murphy (NC))

Moulton (Beyer)

Neguse (Perlmutter)

Nehls (Fallon)

Norman (Donalds)

Pascrell (Pallone)

Payne (Pallone)

Porter (Wexton)

Rodgers (WA) (Bilirakis)

Roybal-Allard (Escobar)

Rush (Evans)

Ryan (Perlmutter)

Salazar (Dunn)

Schrier (Aguilar)

Sires (Pallone)

Smucker (Joyce (PA))

Steel (Obernolte)

Suozzi (Beyer)

Swalwell (Gomez)

Taylor (Fallon)

Titus (Cicilline)

Trone (Beyer)

Upton (Katko)

Van Drew (Tenney)

Van Duyne (Jackson)

Wagner (Cammack)

Walorski (Buchson)

Waltz (Gimenez)

Welch (Pallone)

Wilson (FL) (Cicilline)

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Hardin Watkins' recent retirement as City Manager of Burlington, North Carolina.

With his retirement on March 4, 2022, Mr. Watkins ended a 32-year career in public service. For the past six of those years, he has diligently worked to better the lives of the people of Burlington. Residents and city employees alike will miss his wealth of experience and institutional knowledge.

A native of Hendersonville, North Carolina, Mr. Watkins attended the University of North Carolina where he earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Analysis and his Masters of Public Administration. After completing his education, he accepted a position as a city planner in Bennettsville, South Carolina. He was soon offered a new challenge in Decatur, Georgia, where he was hired as an assistant to the city manager. Mr. Watkins was rewarded for his hard work and dedication to the communities he served, and he was offered the position of City Manager of Suwanee, Georgia. However, after nearly a decade in that role, he returned to his home state in 2007 to manage the Town of Garner, North Carolina. Finally, in 2016, he was hired as the City Manager of Burlington.

The breadth of his work to improve the City of Burlington is remarkable. Within his six years at the helm of city government, Mr. Watkins was instrumental in creating the city's Economic Development Department, establishing the Community Police Advisory Team, and launching Link Transit in Burlington. Residents of Burlington will also be thankful for his efforts to restore the city's antique Dentzel carousel and overhaul the city's publicly owned golf course.

Although Mr. Watkins has begun a new stage of life, he does not intend to idle in his retirement. Instead, he intends to continue his long record of improving communities. But perhaps most importantly, he will have well-deserved time to spend with his family.

Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. Hardin Watkins for his three decades of public service and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.