Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it has been an honor and a privilege to represent the great City of Humble and the best folks in Texas. I live right outside the city line, over in Atascocita. But I have always considered Humble my home. If folks ask me where I live, I reply Humble. There are two ways to pronounce Humble--the right way and the wrong way. The right way is Umble (the H is silent). Towns like Humble, Texas are why so many new folks and businesses continue to move to Texas. It is only fitting that Humble was founded by a little-known hero, Joseph Dunman, who some believe is the true father of Humble.

In 1836, William Barret Travis penned his famous letter from the Alamo, ``The Travis Letter.'' Travis pledged he would ``never surrender or retreat,'' swearing ``victory or death.'' Travis's letter requesting reinforcements at the Alamo was delivered by Joseph Dunman. The most famous letter in Texas history was delivered by horseback from the Alamo to Liberty, Texas by a volunteer. Dunman not only volunteered but he survived. Dunman like Travis believed in these words that the cause for independence was his life. Dunman was a true freedom fighter that understood America is worth fighting for and that defeat is not an option.

Unfortunately, Travis' call for help was not answered in time. Commander Travis and 187 volunteers sacrificed their lives after 13 glorious days at the Alamo. After delivering the letter to Liberty, Texas, Dunman rode on to Anahuac to spread the message to the colonist. Now the rest is as they say--Texas history. The Battle of San Jacinto was fought. General Sam Houston and his men defeated Santa Anna winning Texas' Independence.

In the 1840s Dunman received a land grant that would later become the city of Humble. In 1844, he acquired over 177 acres on the

banks of the San Jacinto River. He also raised cattle. By 1854, more than sixteen families settled around what was known as the Joseph Dunman settlement.

After the war, Dunman continued working for the Republic of Texas by driving and fencing cattle for Fort Galveston.

Because of men like Joseph Dunman, Texas is the great State that it is today. His legacy embodies the passion and loyalty that make Texans stand out around the world. The backbone of our nation was formed from hardworking citizens like Joseph Dunman. He is an example not only to those from Humble, but to all citizens of our great Nation.

The Dunman family always found a way to give back to their beloved Humble. They used their home as a polling location for the Republic of Texas and Harris County elections. Joseph Dunman's son, Joseph W. Dunman, opened the very first school in 1873. The school was called Joe Dunman's Schoolhouse. It was the only school in the district. The district is now called the Humble Independent School District.

Beginning as a small sawmill town, Humble was home to rugged Texas ranchers, farmers, and loggers. In 1869, a Civil War veteran named Pleasant Humble moved to Harris County. He purchased prime land from the Dunman family along the south side of the San Jacinto River. Humble opened a grocery store and ran the existing ferry. He soon took over the responsibility of the mail.

One of the best things about Texas is the fact that Texas towns each have their own unique history. There are hundreds of stories about towns and their colorful past and the settlers who founded them. However, the most interesting part of their unique history is how each town received its name. According to local historian Dr. Robert Meaux, ``legend states that mail carriers from other towns were instructed to ``deliver to Humble'' meaning Pleasant Humble. Through continued use of this phrase, ``Humble'' eventually became the name of the town.'' In 1886, Pleasant Humble became the first postmaster of Humble. He was also Commissioner of Harris County and elected to Justice of the Peace for Harris County Precinct 4 in 1887 to 1895.

The name Bender should sound familiar to Humble folks. Bender Avenue, Aldine-Bender Road, and Charles Bender High School were all named after Charles Bender Sr. In 1889, Bender purchased a sawmill and moved it to Humble. The sale included thousands of acres of timberland. C. Bender and Sons became a very successful lumber company. They shipped wood all over the world. Bender was a very generous man. He built houses for his employees and allowed them to purchase them from his company.

In 1904 Bender filed an official street plan for the town of Humble, which is still in use today. The four main streets in town were named after four oil pioneers drilling in Humble: Higgins, Barrett, Granberry, and Staiti. The Bender family were hardworking, well- educated, God fearing Americans who emigrated from Germany believing the impossible. Recently the City of Humble renovated the abandoned Charles Bender High School and converted it into the Charles Bender Performing Arts Center. Hung over the top of one of the doors at Charles Bender High School read ``Impossible Is Un-American.'' This motto was true of the Bender family.

Modern amenities were brought to Humble at the turn of the 20th century. They opened a bank, a theater and skating rink known as the Opera House, utility companies, a hardware store and saloons. Influential leader and citizen, Ross Sterling, moved to Humble in 1904. After completing a fourth grade level education, he began working as a clerk at the age of 12. The experience led him at the age of 21 to launch his own feed store. Sterling could have taught a course about the hardworking man--Work Ethic 101. In 1910, Sterling's big break came when he purchased two oil wells, leading to the charter of The Humble Oil and Refining Company, which later became Exxon. Sterling went to open many banks, one of which is Humble State Bank. He also was a newspaper publisher after buying the Houston Post, and owned KPRC radio station. He went on to become the governor of Texas from 1931 to 1933. In all of his endeavors, he always found a way to give back to his community. He left a legacy long after his death. Ross Sterling Middle School in Humble is named in his honor.

The 10s and 20s roared in with the founding of oil. Oil derricks made of wood covered Moonshine Hill and Humble. The first oil boom in Humble was made up of shallow wells that formed lakes of oil around the derricks. What a sight. As a result, Humble grew along with the refinery when oil roughnecks began purchasing homes in and around the town.

They weathered the depression better than most in the 30s and the 40s. And they solidified the Greatest Generation in our Nation's history. Humble is home to many heroes who served in the military during this time. One such hero who lives in Humble is Tom Morgan. Tom volunteered to serve his country during WW2. He joined the Marines in 1942 and was deployed and assigned to island hopping along Southeast Asia. Despite contracting malaria, he continued to serve our country. He then served as a reservist, and again deployed for his country in the Korean War. But he was not done serving. He worked the pipelines for 30 years and raised 3 kids in Humble. He retired, but felt lazy, so he answered an ad in the paper for positions with the Harris County Sheriff Office as a reserve officer. At the age of 72, he was the oldest cadet to ever graduate from the academy.

For 26 years, he has put on a badge and a gun to protect and serve the people and communities that he loves. At the age of 98, Tom Morgan is retiring as the oldest active lawman in the state of Texas. He still lives in Humble.

The McKay family name is well-known in Humble. Dr. Haden Edwards McKay II brought his family to Humble in 1919. He practiced medicine and served on the Humble ISD School Board. His son, Haden Edwards McKay III, followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a physician, too. He became known as Dr. McKay Jr. He started practicing medicine in 1938 in Humble. He met his wife, Lillian, a nurse at St. Joseph's hospital and they were married in 1941. That same year, Dr. McKay built a white limestone house for his new bride, in Humble. This home is considered a piece of local history. Another Humble landmark is the McKay Clinic, which is now a museum thanks to the efforts of Mrs. McKay. Dr. McKay saw patients at that clinic until his death in 1996. I cannot imagine what Humble would be like today, had it not been for the McKay's. The city thrives because of their work and tireless efforts. Dr. McKay served as the mayor of Humble for 24 years and Lillian was the First Lady.

Bringing in air conditioning, the baby boom, and the Vietnam War the 50s and 60s presented many more changes to the small town. The 50s was the beginning of an economic boom in Humble. Population of Humble increased as many families moved to the suburbs to escape the City of Houston. In 1969, Houston's largest airport, now called George Bush Intercontinetal Airport, was built on the west side of Humble. The 70s saw the biggest rise in fame and fortune with the oil boom, but was followed by the biggest fall from grace in the 80s. Nonetheless, Humble emerged unscathed in the 90s and continued to thrive. Not to say there were not hard times over the years. They had their share of hurricanes and fires--the latest was Hurricane Harvey. And we all know the damage Harvey poured onto Humble. But Humble proved Texas Strong. It is truly a city rich in history, pride, and perseverance.

Humble's fire and police departments are among the best in Texas. As a prosecutor and Judge for over 30 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of America's best, the men and women in blue. Each day they wake up, place the badge--the shield--over their heart and head out into our communities to protect us. It has been and honor to call many first responders in Humble, my friend.

It has been an honor to represent the citizens of Humble, Texas in the United States House of Representatives. I am proud to have worked with Retired Humble Mayor McMannes, Humble Mayor Merle Aarons, and the city council on numerous projects concerning the city. I commend them for their leadership in helping Humble grow.

I look forward to seeing Humble continue to prosper in the future.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, Communist China is a growing threat to the United States and global peace. Its values and interests do not match our own. This is evident by recent reports of a atheist China imprisoning thousands of Muslim Uighurs in reeducation camps and the ongoing persecution of Tibetans and Chinese Christians. China's interests completely conflict with our democratic principles and the international order that has kept the peace since the end of the Second World War. China is cheating, stealing, and bullying its way towards great power status. It is our duty to stand up to Beijing's bad behavior.

Two decades ago, America, as the leader of the free world and the largest economy on Earth, gave the People's Republic of China a chance to prove itself as member of the global economy. We believed they were making free market reforms and potentially ending their communist system which had kept millions in poverty. By granting Beijing permanent normal trade relations, many in Congress hope that opening the global market to China would encourage further liberalization within the repressive state. But instead of the world changing China, China has been working to change the world to get ahead. While it did embrace some elements of capitalism, it bent the rules using state- owned enterprises and corruption to cheat. It made investments in innovative American companies so it could steal technology. It forced American companies wanting to do business in China to surrender certain rights, including intellectual property. And Beijing instituted a widespread cyber theft campaign to steal trade secrets and cutting-edge research. Beijing made the decision to cheat the international system it was invited into so that it could gain strategic dominance.

Until now, China's deception worked. It even tried to export its unfair business practices through the Belt and Road Initiative. But this too proved to be a giant debt trap that Beijing sold to developing nations. Countries like Sri Lanka and Malaysia have ended their participation in China's ambitious plan because they realized that all of the projects the People's Republic was building in their countries benefited only China. Even the workers employed to construct Belt and Road infrastructure in these countries were Chinese rather than local workers. Instead they were left with were roads to nowhere and crushing debt to China. Fortunately, the world is waking up to Beijing's modern colonialism.

But China's ambition to pull ahead at others expense did not end there. Within all of Beijing's economic malpractice, it has aimed to seize technology and strategic positioning that would also give it a military edge over the United States. By stealing American technology, China has been able field advance weapon systems before our own forces. Meanwhile through Belt and Road, China acquired ports and airports around the globe that can be used as military bases that then enable them to control strategic chokepoints and resources without firing a shot. We have most evidently seen this in illegal island building in the South China Sea. Combined with its rapid military build-up, which will give China a fleet that outnumbers the U.S. Navy by 2020, we are quickly losing our military supremacy to China. The ramifications of such a dramatic shift in power from the U.S. to China will be devastating to our way of life.

Against an authoritarian China that can overmatch our own forces, American will be severally limited in how it protects its interests abroad and respond to Chinese aggression. Principles such as freedom of the seas and free flow of trade will be in jeopardy, having a direct impact on the daily lives of Americans. We must also remember that throughout history such major shifts in geopolitical power rarely came peacefully. In humanity's enduring battle between tyranny and democracy, America has played a decisive role in creating world where freedom preserved over evil. That world is now again in danger.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, after speaking on the House floor more than 2,000 times since joining Congress some fourteen years ago, I can promise you the majority of the many hours spent in this chamber were focused on history. This comes as no surprise. You could say I am a history buff of sorts. Heck, everyone knows it. My walls at home in Texas and here in Washington have been filled with memories from the past. Texas history in particular is what I love most.

Well, Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about a little piece of Houston, Texas history that many Houstonians may not know about, the Majestic Metro. The Majestic Metro is the last remaining in-tact theater in Houston built before 1930. It is safe to say that parking garages have taken the place of many former historical theaters. But, not for the Majestic Metro. It still stands strong in the vibrant heart of downtown Houston.

Originally owned by sisters Stella and Lillian Scanlan, and opened April 15, 1926 under its maiden name, the Ritz, the primary role of this theater was to entertain the masses. Its grand opening showcase was the Buck Jones feature, ``The Fighting Buckaroo.'' What better way to start off its tenure than with a country-western film. But, there is one unique aspect about this movie and others during its time, there was no sound, except for that of the live music in the background. That's right, no fancy high tech sound systems, just a pipe organ. So, the only thing movie-goers were hearing was the chuckles, sniffles, and gasps of their neighbors with the organ in the background. With tickets ranging from 5 cents and 15 cents during the beginning of the Ritz, many Houstonians found their way to Preston Street in downtown Houston for a night out.

The history of the Ritz is so rich because of the many stories its walls can tell. From different owners and styles such as silent country-western films to Spanish films, the Ritz became the Cine Ritz during the 1940's. Decades later, in the 60's and 70's, the name that Houston now knows, the Majestic Metro, was born. The Majestic Metro at this time saw a transition from the old fashion silent country-western and Spanish films to exploitation and kung fu films, then to more mature films, a little too explicit for the Record I'm afraid.

Well Mr. Speaker, times were tough, and the theater came to a close. However, like every good feature film, or at least the ones I like, there was light at the end of the tunnel for this Houston landmark. Local businessman, Gary Warwick, and history buff like me, had a vision for this unique piece of the past.

Instead of allowing the theater to be demolished or showing those old westerns the theater had once known, Gary turned this historical landmark into a place where history would continue living. Today, the Majestic Metro captures the beauty of the past by maintaining many stylistic features of the original architecture.

The Majestic Metro wasn't Gary's only historical contribution to Houston. He was also a pivotal player in the project to restore the Market Square Clock in Houston's Market Square, just a few feet from the Majestic Metro. The Market Square Clock which is a part of the Louis and Annie Friedman Clock Tower is on the corners of Travis and Congress in downtown. For Gary's efforts in the restoration project, he was able to be the first person to hand wind the clock upon its completion in the restoration.

Mr. Speaker, this is exactly why I love history. The Majestic Metro saw the best of times and the worst of times, but it has withstood time as one of Houston's most authentic historical landmarks. The walls of the Majestic Metro have quite a few stories to tell, and thanks to Houstonian Gary Warwick, they can continue to share their history and beauty for years to come.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, this year has been another important year in pushing back on the tyrannical Iranian regime. The passion and determination of the Iranian people in the face of a corrupt and despotic regime provides much needed inspiration to us all.

We are witnessing historic times in Iran. The Iranian people are still fighting for their rights in the streets. As much as the regime tries to hide it, or use violence to suppress it, change is coming to Iran. The world is more aware that the Supreme Leader and his thugs are not moderates that should be welcome among other responsible nations. Instead, through the bravery of the Iranian people, the world knows they are murderers and thieves.

There is a reason why Iran has earned the title of the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism. It sends millions of dollars to fuel wars in Syria and Yemen and enriches its proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Bahrain and Gaza. A few weeks ago, the Coordinator for Counterterrorism Bureau at the State Department told my subcommittee that Iran spends $1 billion dollars a year to support its terrorist proxies. It steals this money from the Iranian people and responds with brutality if they dare speak out. But they continue to speak out.

I have always been proud to stand with them. The cause of freedom in Iran is just and righteous, and it will never be silenced. Together we are having an impact. The people of Iran, including the MEK, have sacrificed so much for the cause of liberty. They have spoken the truth and have exposed this regime for the evil it is: a state run by terrorist thugs. Iranians have been imprisoned, tortured, and murdered fighting for the cause of freedom. Iranian dissidents have been forced to flee their homes, refugee camps in Iraq, and the wider region to escape the Mullahs reach. Fortunately, many Iranians have found safety in the West and we are working tireless to make sure Iran's evil intentions can no longer hurt them. Throughout all of it, these Iranians have stood firm with remarkable courage.

But the fight is not over, because the fight for freedom in Iran is not over. The regime continues to find ways to evade sanctions, and so we must continue to pursue them. With the help of the Iranian people, we will find how they cheat and expose them.

The Mullahs are relentless, so we must be too. In the end democracy and justice will prevail as it always has. The American people stand with the people of Iran, because we believe in freedom, liberty, and the American way. They must keep their heads high, and remember they are on the right side of history. The tide is turning. Iran will be free.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, December 21, 1826 marks the beginning of the Fredonian Rebellion.

Mr. Speaker, the long war on terrorism is not over. From North Africa to Southeast Asia, radical jihadism fights on from the shadows, waiting for us to grow complacent once again. We have claimed victory and lowered our guard too many times before only to have terrorist groups grow resurgent and deadly again. The scourge of violent Islamism is a multigeneration challenge as the battle against communism was decades ago. While we have had many successes, the threat remains and must be confronted.

Looking at where extremism still lives today we see many familiar battlefields. In the Philippines, a ISIS affiliate was handed a major defeat last year at the city of Marawi. But remnants of this group live on, recruiting and scheming in the jungle. Only by denying them an opportunity to regroup and gain ground again can we prevent them from attracting new supporters and new momentum.

Moving to Pakistan, we still find a state that claims to be an American ally but allows terrorist leaders to operate freely in the open. For too long we have provided billions of dollars to the Pakistani government as they betrayed us. The Taliban, al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and other violent groups continue to find safe haven in Pakistan. They have injected their violent ideology into mainstream Pakistani politics, causing minorities to be routinely persecuted through despotic blasphemy laws. Pakistan's partnership with terrorism has led to continued violence within its neighbors India and Afghanistan. If Pakistan had truly been our ally, the Taliban would never had a place to run to after our intervention in Afghanistan. Yet, more than 17 years later, the Taliban is resurgent, retaking Afghan districts that we had long ago secured through American blood and treasure. We must not abandon this fight, but instead find a solution that ensures that al-Qaeda is never able to return and that the Taliban lay down their weapons and respect Afghanistan's young democracy.

Nonetheless, Pakistan is not the only terrorist sponsoring state fueling instability in the region. Iran is also playing its part in arming and assisting terrorists fighting our forces in Afghanistan and across the Middle East. After signing the nuclear deal with the Obama administration, the Mullahs in Iran received billions of dollars in sanctions relief that was diverted directly to their legion of terrorist proxies. Now the Middle East is engulfed in chaos as Iran's militias march against our allies. Proxies like Hezbollah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kataib Hezbollah, the Houthis, and others are operating with impunity, massacring thousands in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. They have targeted Americans in Iraq and Syria and have plans to attack our friends in Israel. This gathering storm will lead to inevitable conflict if we do nothing.

Meanwhile ISIS has gone underground. While we have destroyed the socalled caliphate that inspired dozens of attacks in the U.S. and Europe, the deadly terror group has reverted to its insurgent roots. When President Obama foolishly withdrew our troops from Iraq in 2011, there were no more than 700 fighters remaining in ISIS's predecessor. The State Department even reduced the bounty for ISIS's eventual leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, believing the group was a shell of its former self. But those assumptions proved wrong. Without U.S. forces to stop their advance and local societies plagued with Iranian-backed sectarianism, ISIS rose from the ashes to dominate an area the size of Britain. ISIS still has thousands of fighters dispersed throughout Iraq and Syria. We must not repeat Obama's mistake. A committed strategy to ensure ISIS's enduring defeat is required moving forward. We must send a signal to friends and adversaries alike that America is not turning its back on the region again.

No ally knows the persistent struggle against terrorism more than Israel. Today, terrorists from Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and ISIS in Sinai are seeking Israel's destruction. Just recently Israel discover attack tunnels crossing from Lebanon into its territory which Hezbollah had built for the sole purpose of causing murder and mayhem in the Jewish State. America continues to stand firmly with Israel, providing the needed aid to keep our shared enemies at bay. But as instability continues throughout the region, Iran and other extremists will plot and recruit to wage war on our Israeli friends. Our duty as allies requires us to be vigilant in addressing these emerging threats before they become major obstacles for peace.

Lastly, looking at North Africa and the Sahel new challenges have risen. Where there were once only about 100 al-Qaeda-linked terrorists, there is now a multitude of extremist networks with as many as 10,000 fighters. Groups like Boko Haram, al-Shabab, ISIS, and Ansar al-Sharia have sowed chaos in places like Nigeria, Libya, Tunisia, and Somalia, preventing poor nations from reaching their full potential. These fragile states need a steady ally to help build their capabilities and lead a joint campaign to seek out and destroy the transnational terrorist threat in the region. Rather than pour endless taxpayer dollars into development efforts that are undone by local extremists, we need to formulate a strategy that addresses the lasting security vacuum terrorists have exploited.

The violent ideology that has motived thousands to wage a life or death struggle against the United States and its allies is not gone. This ideology has long been present, but it was not until the September 11th attacks that we woke up to its lethal ability and reach. Since then we have learned that this cancerous radical belief is adaptive and will not be defeated in one decisive battle. This is a long war we have no choice but to fight. We must also adapt our thinking and find committed partners who we can stand with us in this global struggle.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, it has been the honor of my life to serve in Congress.

Today, I am reminded of why I came here in the first place. Thomas Jefferson said it quite well: ``We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness . . . Governments''--that would be us--``are instituted among Men'' to secure those rights.

Mr. Speaker, that is our mission statement: Congress is the protector of freedom and liberty. Congress must make sure that the bell of Liberty rings loudly and strongly, for the American bright star is the beaming beacon of hope: the hope that all oppressed peoples yearn to possess.

So, in my final words as a Member of Congress in this House of Representatives, Congress must hold fast to these truths: that in God we must trust and be faithful servants of the sacred constitutional principles of freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly, for this is our eternal duty.

Happy trails.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, across the Middle East today, armed thugs backed by Iran are entrenching themselves in local communities, undermining democratic aspirations, and stockpiling weapons in preparation for war against America's allies. Sadly, it's nothing new. For more than a decade, Iran has constructed a formidable array of foreign legions that exploit corruption and instability to subjugate millions to Tehran's will. In response, the President has rightly restored sanctions on the Islamic Republic and prioritized confronting its regional activity. But to reverse the gains Iran and its proxies have made over recent years, America and its allies must go beyond sanctions.

Sanctions are designed to deny resources to Iran that are used to support terrorism, develop nuclear weapons, and conduct human rights abuses at home. We know this strategy has had some success in the past stalling Iran's efforts and forcing Tehran to come to the bargaining table. The Obama Administration, however, gave away the farm to the Mullahs, removing many of the sanctions that

brought Tehran to heel and opening the door for Russia, China, and the Europeans to do business in Iran. Obama also ceded physical territory to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxies by not contesting their growing activity in Syria and Yemen and withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq. The resulting instability led to ISIS's rise and a secure land route from Tehran to Beirut from which the IRGC could move recruits and weapons to Israel's borders. These policies of appeasement have created a powder keg that could erupt into regional war.

At a recent hearing before my subcommittee, the Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the State Department, Amb. Nathan Sales, testified that Iran spends $1 billion-per-year funding its various terrorist proxies in the Middle East. This sum pales in comparison to how much we spend to deploy forces to the region, assist allies, conduct diplomacy, and gather intelligence. Yet, Iran is gaining ground. How is this possible? For one reason, Iran's march of terror is cheap and adaptive, using low-cost arms, violent coercion, disinformation, and crime to operate. Meanwhile, we chose to play by the rules and attempt to rebuild what Iran and other terrorists destroy. It's far cheaper and easier to destroy than to build. And unlike our efforts during the early Cold War, in the Middle East we are attempting to build or reinforce institutions that either never existed or are plagued with corruption.

But this doesn't mean American taxpayer dollars are spent in vain. For example, few would argue that the U.S.'s largest foreign assistance program, $3.8 billion-per-year in military financing to Israel, is money wasted. Rather, that money ensures Israel holds a military edge over Iran and its terrorist allies thus preventing the Mullahs from ever achieving one of their core objectives: the extermination of Israel. Just weeks ago, Palestinian terrorists backed by Iran, fired dozens of rockets into Israel. 120 of those rockets were incepted by Iron Dome, a missile defense system paid for and jointly developed through American assistance. Moreover, the Israelis are not sitting idly by as Iran masses forces on its northern borders. Since 2013, Israeli warplanes and missiles, subsidized by U.S. taxpayers, have struck dozens of Iranian and Hezbollah convoys transporting weapons to Lebanon or the Golan Heights.

Action by Israel is effective but limited. For example, recent reports indicate the IRGC is utilizing the territory it controls in Iraq and Syria to position ballistic missiles that can target Israel, Saudi Arabia, and our forces in the region. Finding and striking these missiles is an enormous challenge for Israel and could have ramifications for Americans stationed in those countries. Instead, it is up to America to contest Iran's grip on these arenas by empowering local actors and demonstrating American resolve.

So far, however, the State Department has done the opposite by resisting Congressional efforts to designate Iran's most lethal Iraqi proxies, such as Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, and shutting the American consulate in Basra, Iraq. Such action demonstrates to Iran that it need only threaten an American diplomatic post and the U.S. will retreat, ceding more space for them and their proxies. Tragically in the case of Basra, we are abandoning Iraqis who courageously took to the streets to protest Iran's meddling in their country. Simultaneously U.S. forces in Syria are trying to prevent a war between our Kurdish and Turkish allies that has allowed ISIS to survive and Iranian weapon shipments to pass by unmolested.

Only when we tackle these local challenges can we dislodge Iran. To do so requires us to make hard choices and strategies with potentially more costs. But if countering Iran's expansionism is truly our objective, we must show commitment to partners on the ground that we are willing to confront Iran alongside them. Until then a storm is gathering that will inevitably pull Americans back into a long and difficult war.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, it's been a year since North Korea tested a nuclear-capable ballistic missile. After successive years of increasing missile and nuclear weapon testing, the fact that none occurred in 2018 is remarkable progress. Even more so when we recall that talk of imminent war on the Korean Peninsula was echoing throughout the media just a year ago. This retreat from the nuclear brink would not be possible without President Trump's bold diplomatic efforts. However, with negotiations to achieve verifiable denuclearization still ongoing, the maximum pressure campaign that brought Kim Jong-Un to the table must continue. Unfortunately, it appears at risk due to South Korea's dovish president.

The current talks with North Korea are a game of nuclear chicken. President Trump's approach ties intense international sanctions with diplomatic engagement that, if successful, provide the North Korean regime an economic life-line if it commits to irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear weapons program. But success hinges on comprehensive sanctions remaining in place until Kim Jong-Un formally makes that pledge and demonstrates verifiable steps towards denuclearization. Until now, Kim has only agreed to further talks and taken minor steps to show good faith, such as halting weapon tests, closing the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, and releasing American hostages. While encouraging, negotiations continue with the hope of achieving more substantive action, including a declared inventory of its full nuclear program. Here, intelligence reports seem to indicate that the North's nuclear and missile programs may actually be continuing to develop in secret.

President Trump, therefore, has kept sanctions in place as negotiations continue. Withdrawing some sanctions too early would disincentivize the regime from agreeing to complete dismantlement--a mistake that was made in past negotiations. The President has also permitted talks to continue so long as the North Koreans engage in constructive dialogue. In August, when Kim's regime appeared to be stalling, he canceled a planned meeting between the regime and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. This action sent a clear signal that we won't be gamed and that the regime risks losing its only opportunity towards having sanctions removed. Negotiations have since resumed, with the North agreeing in October to allow inspectors to visit the Punggye- ri nuclear site. Conditioning talks and standing firm on sanctions ultimately is the only way this process will work. Kim, on the other hand likely believes that he can wait-out the negotiations by alternating between stalling and piecemeal concessions until the U.S. and its allies tire or agree to a softer deal that removes sanctions. The regime will then quietly cheat, as they have before.

This time, however, it appears that South Korea's President Moon Jae- in will be the first to blink. In October--just a week after negotiations produced approval for inspections at Punggye-ri--President Moon conducted a tour of Europe where he urged allies to loosen sanctions on the Kim regime. Luckily, our European friends denied Moon's request, knowing that North Korea still has a ways to go before verifiable denuclearization is achieved. Mr. Moon's attempts to break the maximum pressure campaign, as well as the unity between the U.S. and its European allies, suggests that Little Kim may have found his mark and is exploiting Moon's naive sensibilities.

For months, President Moon has sought to court Little Kim hoping to reduce tensions between the two Koreas. In September, he approved reconciliation deals with the Kim regime that pledged the withdrawal of guard posts along the de-militarized zone and restoration of some economic ties between the two countries. The South has since reversed its willingness to reopen Kaesong, a joint industrial center where South Korean companies employ workers from the North, citing a lack of progress on denuclearization. Had Moon's plan to restore economic ties through Kaesong gone forward, South Korea may have found itself in violation on United Nations sanctions. But Moon has moved forward with other projects, including a program to improve North Korea's rail network and link it with the South.

An initial study of the North's rail system was approved last week by the U.N. Security Council following pressure from the White House to seek approval. Nonetheless, Moon's separate diplomatic maneuvers and premature offers of economic opportunities are likely encouraging the Kim regime to slow negotiations and steps towards denuclearization.

With so much still at stake, the U.S. and its allies must present a united and stern front to pressure North Korea into accepting complete denuclearization. Little Kim has to see that maintaining any aspect of his nuclear weapons program is a no-win situation because crippling sanctions will ultimately dismantle his regime. However, if Kim sees weakness in our South Korean allies that he can use to chip-away at the current sanctions on his regime, he will continue to stall negotiations and our leverage will begin to collapse. President Moon must not be deceived by Kim's small gestures of goodwill and prematurely fold.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, Megan Rondini was a student at the University of Alabama. She originally was from Austin, Texas, but chose the University of Alabama as her school of choice. Megan went to school there.

While she was a student, she came in contact with a former student whose nickname was ``Sweet T.'' He took her to his residence, which was literally a plantation home, and sexually assaulted her. Megan then jumped out of the second-story window of his residence and went to the hospital. That is where her nightmare continued.

While Megan was at the hospital, the people in charge there didn't know how to deal with a sexual assault victim, and the sexual assault exam was botched.

She left the hospital and went to the sheriff's department. They started interviewing her and found out that the alleged perpetrator was from an important family in the area. All of a sudden, they backed off, according to her. They didn't prosecute Sweet T. In fact, they read Megan a Miranda warning.

Megan went to the University of Alabama and sought a counselor. The counselor found out who the alleged perpetrator was and said: ``I can't help you. This is a conflict of interest. I know this person.''

The University of Alabama didn't provide her another counselor.

Megan then went into a depression. She left the University of Alabama and transferred to SMU in Dallas, Texas. Shortly after she transferred to SMU, Megan Rondini took her own life. You see, Mr. Speaker, she got the death penalty for being a victim of crime. Nothing ever happened to the alleged perpetrator.

There are a lot of problems and issues that came up with the way Megan was treated at the hospital and how she was treated at the sheriff's department and by the university. There was no sexual assault forensic examiner or sexual assault forensic nurse at the hospital to take care of her.

And who are these people?

These are wonderful people who are trained to deal with sexual assault victims. The hospital didn't have one of those for her. It turns out there are many hospitals in the country that

don't have these individuals to help sexual assault victims. They are trained to deal with victims exclusively.

I have talked and met with Megan's parents, Cindi and Mike, who still live in Austin, and we have talked and met with a lot of Members of Congress on what we can do about this. We have filed H.R. 7292, a bipartisan bill. Issues regarding victims of crime are bipartisan.

The Megan Rondini and Leah Griffin Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act provides for a task force and a multitude of other things so we can get this problem solved and have hospitals get it together so we treat sexual assault victims the way they should be treated.

I am not going to go into all the details, but it is great, and bipartisan. It is cosponsored by Congresswoman Jayapal. We have many Members on both sides working on this issue to bring it to the House floor under suspension of the rules or unanimous consent to get this legislation passed.

It is my understanding, as of high noon today, that this legislation is not going to come to the floor of this Congress. It is my hope and desire that it comes next year when I am not here but other people take up the mantle to protect people like Megan Rondini and Leah Griffin.

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of lobbyists in Washington, D.C. I understand there are 5,000 lobbying groups. That is 10 for every Member of Congress up here, advocating on all kinds of things.

Victims of crimes do not have high-dollar lobbyists. We are their voice. We are their only voice, Mr. Speaker. We ought to start acting like it and bring legislation to the floor on a bipartisan basis and not find excuses not to do it, because we are it. People like Megan Rondini are protected by the same Constitution that protects defendants of crime.

It is important that we help those people and their families make sure that they don't continue to be victims of crime after the crime is committed. The system should not continue to make them victims of crime, whether it is the hospital, whether it is the sheriff's department or the university.

I do want to say, Mr. Speaker, the University of Alabama has made some changes. Texas A&M has made changes due to the 12th Woman group and a group of victims at Texas A&M that are talking to Members of Congress, too.

I hope that Congress will see this legislation as a priority and pass it, because it is the right thing to do, even if we have to wait until next year.

And that is just the way it is, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Iran have taken to the streets and continue to protest against the illegitimate regime of the Ayatollah and the mullahs. These protests have taken place in numerous cities now for 1 year.

The people protest the war-mongering dictatorship, the tyranny of the Iranian Government and its terrorist activities. The people want freedom. However, the mullahs are reacting with crackdowns on the people.

Arrests, beatings, and jailing continues to occur. It is interesting that the majority of these protests are led by women and the young. Even truck drivers have gone on strike in the protest.

Groups such as the MEK have spoken out against the corrupt Iranian Government and oppression of the people. Further, the Government of Iran has sworn to destroy the United States. The United States should stand with the Iranian people in their quest for freedom from the tyrants of Iran.

As President Kennedy once said: ``Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.''

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, between October and early December 1835, an army of Texian volunteers laid siege to a Mexican army in San Antonio de Bexar. The Mexican General Santa Anna knew of the growing resistance against him in Texas, and so he set his brother-in-law General Martin Perfecto de Cos to San Antonio de Bexar and 600 men to quell the rebellion.

In October 1835, a group of Texians volunteered to serve under Stephen F. Austin and Edward Burleson and lay siege to San Antonio de Bexar. Before dawn on December 5th of that same year, James Neill distracted the Mexican forces with artillery fire on the Alamo. At this same time, Ben Milam and Francis W. Johnson led two divisions in a surprise attack on the city.

After four days of fighting, Cos sought to consolidate his troops at the Alamo, but a large part of his cavalry decided not to continue fighting and deserted. Mexican General Cos surrendered that same day, December 9, 1835. Cos promised to return to Mexico.

When the fighting ended, Texas has between 30 and 35 casualties, while Mexican losses totaled about 150; the difference reflected the greater accuracy of the Texans' rifles. Most of the Texas volunteers went home after the battle, but Texas troops remained in town, which left San Antonio and all of Texas under the Texans' control.

This battle was one of the first significant campaigns of the Texas Revolution. Within a few weeks, Texas would declare independence from Mexico. However, after the Mexican Army was defeated, in 1835 Santa Anna was intent on recapturing the mission. In February 1836, he returned to San Antonio de Bexar with several thousand soldiers. This led to the famous Battle of the Alamo where the Texians held out for 13 days before the Alamo fell on March 6, 1836. The Mexican Army killed and/or executed all the 189 defenders.

On April 21, General Sam Houston faced off with the numerically superior army of Santa Anna and defeated it, leading to Texas independence from Mexico. Texas remained a country for nine years before joining the United States.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, we have learned--and had reinforced repeatedly--the lesson about the importance of a strategic asset that is both the decisive advantage and critical success element in American engagement around the globe. Whether it involves prosecuting conventional war, combating terrorism, conducting intelligence operations, or fighting transnational crime, we can never underestimate the significance and necessity of the human factor. Not only do men and women make a difference, they are the difference between success and failure in these endeavors.

We spend billions of dollars on advanced weapons systems, equipment, technology, and more to defend and protect our nation and help it execute and achieve manifold missions. Yet these are only tools--albeit expensive and effective tools--but tools nonetheless. They exist to serve the talented, dedicated men and women in our federal government who drive and deliver the critical results daily that ensure American leadership, influence, and power worldwide.

It is this recognition of the importance and impact of people and reliance on people power, engagement, and tools that prompt me today to bring Crime Stoppers Global Solutions (CSGS) to the attention of my colleagues.

This 501(c)(3) organization proactively and aggressively combats serious transnational crime such as human trafficking, terrorism, illicit trade, illegal arms dealing, narcotics smuggling, corruption, and cybercrime. Terrorist organizations and criminal enterprises engage in these activities to finance their campaigns of death and destruction and earn their illicit profits.

From my vantage point as chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade of the Foreign Affairs Committee and as a member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations of the Judiciary Committee, I see firsthand the growing threat of global terrorism and transnational crime to U.S. national security. Throughout my service in Congress, I have been committed to and engaged in combating both.

We are in a prolonged war that threatens America's existence, challenges our leadership and power, and tests our national will and resolve at every turn. To defeat these twin global enemies, I remain convinced that we must declare all-out war and withhold nothing. It is absolutely imperative that we marshal and commit all human resources and tools available, whether government or private, to the aim of destroying global terrorism and transnational crime.

Crime Stoppers Global Solutions is a natural and ideal ally to the federal government in our must-win campaign. It combines the dual strengths of engaged citizens and advanced wireless technology into an effective weapon. This powerful weapon helps trusted law enforcement, media, and government not only to disrupt and disable transnational criminal enterprises, but also to take down their members and bring them to justice.

The organization's crime-fighting initiative turns concerned citizens into committed transnational crime warriors. It arms this mighty citizen force with new, innovative wireless tip technology. Using a free, secure, downloadable phone application, citizens can report crimes they see, hear, or know about with the guarantee of absolute anonymity and without the fear of revenge from apprehended criminal suspects.

Crime Stoppers Global Solutions is built upon the successful foundation of Crime Stoppers USA that has operated in the United States for 40 years and relied on a simple anonymous telephone tip reporting model. But Crime Stoppers Global Solutions has innovated its own proprietary reporting application and model using new technological advancements. Its solution is designed for a global mission.

This new application is several generations in technological innovation, sophistication, and function beyond the now primitive and outmoded technology that once served the cause of domestic citizen- engaged crime-fighting so ably and faithfully nearly a half century ago. Crime Stoppers Global Solutions has developed an application that is at home and functions well today in our connected world of hand-held mobile devices.

It is a commendable and valuable effort on the part of the CSGS leadership and its team of distinguished experts to support, through its own initiative and independent efforts, the federal government, as well as foreign governments in the global fight against terrorism and transnational crime. Especially important are the vision and leadership CSGS is exhibiting in targeting global transnational crime at its source or in transit to protect us here at home.

This is why I am especially pleased to report that the CSGS team has identified a vital region to bring their mission to: the Balkan Peninsula. This region is of immense geopolitical relevance and strategic and security interest to the United States. The ``Balkan route,'' as it is known, is a major gateway and transit route for transnational crime between the Middle East and other regions and the West. We continue to see crime surging in this area.

As the co-chairman of the Congressional Serbian Caucus, I am delighted that the first country in the Balkans to open its doors to the mission and the team of CSGS is the Republic of Serbia. I commend President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, Minister of Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic, and the office of Prime Minister Ana Brnabic for their interest in learning about Crime Stoppers Global Solutions and exploring a possible partnership.

I am happy to report that since this initial outreach and dialogue, two Serbian non-governmental organizations have signed partnership agreements with Crime Stoppers Global Solutions, joining the global fight against terrorism and transnational crime. I encourage President Aleksandar Vucic to continue demonstrating the leadership and courage he has shown thus far not only to lead his nation in this area but also to be an example for other Balkan nations to emulate.

I have spent many years serving and believing in the longstanding friendship and alliance that exist between the United States and Serbia and our peoples. One of the most important pillars of this relationship is the many Americans of Serbian ancestry who have helped contribute to, build, and enrich this country. Nikola Tesla, Mihajlo Pupin, Helen Delic Bentley, and countless more American Serbians in science, business, sports, the arts, public service, and other fields have achieved much and added much to America's greatness. The support of the American Serbian community, including the American Serbian Association, the largest and most influential membership organization of its kind nationwide, is of vital significance.

It is not only out of genuine affinity and affection for the Serbian people that I wish to see Crime Stoppers Global Solutions engage in and succeed in Serbia, but also out of sincere interest in and concern for their welfare and protection from global terrorism and transnational crime.

The United States has strategic interests in Serbia and the Balkan region. Increasingly, what happens there--especially transnational crime such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, terrorism, and more-- impacts us here at home. This is because crime is no longer localized in a neighborhood or community or city or country. It is global in presence, scope, reach, and impact.

So, when we are engaged in combating terrorism and transnational crime in the Balkan region, we are not only protecting citizens there, we are also protecting citizens here.

Our federal government is a fierce and determined combatant in the war on global terrorism and transnational crime. But its ferocity and determination are every bit as matched by terrorists and transnational criminals. No one entity--be it a government, non-governmental organization, or other group, even one with considerable human resources and tools--can singlehandedly take on these enemies and prevail against them in the long run.

But by joining forces with and making common cause with organizations like Crime Stoppers Global Solutions, the federal government is stronger and more capable of dismantling terrorist organizations and transnational criminal enterprises and bringing their leaders and foot soldiers to justice.

Crime Stoppers Global Solutions offers the powerful twin assets of people and technology to enhance the efforts and effectiveness of the federal government in its global mission of combating terrorism and transnational crime. These are true and proven force multipliers in crime fighting.

For these reasons, I strongly encourage Secretary of State Pompeo and the secretaries of the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and the Treasury, as well as the heads of relevant federal agencies to partner with Crime Stoppers Global Solutions.

The war on global terrorism and transnational crime is winnable. It takes a team approach. By partnering with Crime Stoppers Global Solutions, the federal government can pool, share, and leverage powerful human resources--engaged citizens--and new tools--advanced wireless technology--that far exceed the capabilities of our enemies and their ability to respond in kind. This joint forces approach has the greatest potential for defeating our enemies and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Americans and Serbians alike for the long term.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, in November of 1528, Conquistador Alvar Nuncz Cabeza de Vaca and his crew of 90 Spaniards crashed on Galveston Island. He was the first European to set foot on the land that would become the Lone Star State and is considered to have undertaken one of the most remarkable journeys in the history of American exploration.

From 1528 to 1532, the crew steadily died off from illness, accidents, and attacks until only Cabeza de Vaca and three others remained. During those four years, Cabeza de Vaca became a merchant, and traded seas shells and ``beads of sea'' (though now called pearls) for bison skins and red ochre. He also gained a reputation as a healer, which gave him freedom to travel between different tribes.

The Karankawa Indians, a group of Coahuiltecans known to be cannibals, enslaved these men until, in September of 1534, the four men snuck away from the Karankawas and fled south towards the Rio Grande River. The following spring, they finally crossed the Rio Grande and made it to Mexico. To avoid hostile tribes, the men turned west towards the Pacific and crossed northern Mexico.

Cabeza de Vaca and his companions eventually arrived in Mexico City in 1536.

They had traveled nearly 2400 miles over eight years in Texas and the Mexican borderlands.

Cabeza de Vaca spent years interacting with Native Americans and learning their language. This allowed him to write and publish in 1542 the first book about Texas, the Relacion, which contained information about the region's geography, landscape, and Coahuiltecan tribes. This account of his journey inspired other conquistadors and Spaniards to cotne and explore Texas.

And that's just the way it is.