Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the year was 1787. The American experiment was in trouble. After the Revolution, the colonies came together to draft the Articles of Confederation, which enumerated the powers of the new government. This document, however, left the government unable to regulate interstate commerce, raise revenue through taxes, or support a national defense. Many of the colonists had become restless, and some like Daniel Shays even began openly revolting against the newly founded government.

It was time to act. Fifty-five men from around the colonies made the arduous trek to Philadelphia, where they crammed inside Independence Hall, the same venue where, just eleven years before, many of the individuals present hammered out and ratified the Declaration of Independence. Under the leadership of the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. George Washington, the delegates debated a new direction for the fledgling government. The document that was finally agreed upon by the delegates was what we know today as the United States Constitution. The document outlined a federal government made up of three branches that could each check and balance the powers of the others.

After much debate, it was up to the delegates to gain the ratification of their respective states. They returned home and attempted to whip up support for the Constitution, needing nine states out of thirteen to successfully bring the Constitution into law. Some went to great lengths to promote the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay published the Federalist Papers under pseudonyms, a series of essays that highlighted the advantages of the document.

Slowly but surely, the ratifications trickled in. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut were the first to support the document. Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina followed suit, and finally on June 21, 1788, New Hampshire provided the ninth and decisive ratification. The Constitution was adopted by the U.S. government on March 4, 1789, and the other colonies soon ratified the document, successfully uniting the nation.

More than any individual or group, the documents drafted and adopted by our Founding Fathers shaped who we are as a nation. The Constitution provides us the structure to defend, govern, and implement the beliefs and freedoms enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. It establishes that we the people, not a king or tyrant, would govern our nation.

Mr. Speaker, George Washington hailed the Constitution as ``the guide in which I will never abandon.'' Today, on the occasion of the 230th anniversary of the ratification of this document, let us remember the oath that we took before taking office to support and defend this guide, the very essence of our democracy.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, the world today is in a new era of great power rivalry. Resurgent Russia and China are challenging U.S. interests across the globe. Both are rapidly modernizing their militaries to directly challenge America's dominance on the battlefield and to undermine our alliances around the world. The potential for major conflict is closer now than it has been since the Cold War.

China and Russia's rising power has huge implications for how we trade, how we target rogue regimes, and how the entire international system works. While we often focus on Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs, we tend to overlook the two atomic arsenals that pose the greatest danger to our security. But with Russia and China's aggressive behavior in places like Ukraine, Georgia, and the South China Sea, we are forced to rethink our deterrence against such threats.

Comparing our nuclear arsenals, it's clear China and Russia have been intent on challenging U.S. dominance and coercing our friends for some time. While we have barely upgraded some of our nuclear systems since they were first deployed in the early 1980s, China and Russia have introduced new weapons. We may be reluctant to maintain and upgrade such devastating weapons, but our strategic rivals are not. If we allow Russia or China to achieve nuclear superiority over us, the results will be dire for our allies and for the international order we have spent decades building.

Just in March, Vladimir Putin unveiled several new nuclear weapons intended to make our missile defenses ``useless.'' They include a new heavy ICBM, a nuclear-powered cruise missile with ``unlimited range,'' and a nuclear-powered unmanned submarine designed to sneak into coastal cities and explode. Such a heavy investment in nuclear arms is concerning and demonstrates Putin's priority is not disarmament but strategic dominance.

However, Putin left something out of his threatening display. He did not include the new ground-launched cruise missile which the State Department has said for years is violating the INF Treaty. This missile undermines years of arms control negotiations and the good faith we have hoped to build with the Russians since the end of the Cold War. With the New START treaty expiring in 2021, the INF violation casts real doubt on continued strategic arms limitations with the Russians going forward. If the START treaty expires, the Russians will be completely free to expand their nuclear stockpile to what it was during the darkest days of the Cold War. This will likely force others-- including ourselves--to also build more bombs.

Worse, now that China is a major rival, we could be pushed into a situation more dangerous than the Cold War. We have been fortunate that China has kept its nuclear stockpile relatively small, focusing on minimal deterrence. But China is building new delivery systems to match our own and is not restrained to arms control agreements like those between the U.S. and Russia. China is rapidly building new ballistic missile submarines and mobile ICBMs which will further strain our military's ability to track. Beijing is also making advances in hypersonic missiles that will make early warning systems ineffective.

Yet, the major concern with China is its willingness to proliferate nuclear technology to rogue regimes. Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan have all benefited from Chinese assistance. In many cases, China has directly sold nuclear and missile technology to these terrorist regimes. China's low regard for non-proliferation standards has been irresponsible and created increased instability around the globe.

For too long we have not addressed the source of these rising threats. North Korea and Iran are major problems, but they would be far more isolated and far less dangerous if they did not have backing from Russia and China. Even our need for missile defense--which China and Russia claim is so destabilizing--would be unnecessary if these rogue regimes did not have help from Moscow and Beijing.

As we think about the future of our nuclear forces and the future of arms control, we must have a clear view of the threats we face. China and Russia are capable adversaries. Left unchecked they will surpass us and make the world less safe. Therefore, we must continue to engage them to restrict the number and capability of these terrible weapons while making clear we will not allow them to gain the nuclear advantage.

Ronald Reagan once said, ``a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.'' We must continue his legacy by seeking a world without nuclear arms.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most important values that we strive to teach our children is to give back to others. Well, it's time for us adults to go back to school, as 13-year-old Mickie May Levin is teaching us a thing or two about generosity.

This year, Levin had her bat mitzvah, and in preparation for this rite of passage, she decided to undertake a service project that would give back to her local community in the spirit of Jewish tradition. In brainstorming ideas, she kept returning to soccer, a sport that she had already fell in love with. She played on her school team, and she enjoyed how the sport brings people together from a variety of backgrounds.

From her own time on the field, she understood the importance of having a good pair of cleats on your feet during a game, particularly when the rain started to come down. She also knew that she and many of her friends had pairs of gently used cleats piling up in their closets and garages--at that age, kids outgrow clothes and shoes very quickly. An idea was thus born: she would collect these cleats and donate them to kids who couldn't afford to buy them.

Levin started out small, asking around her friend group and eventually placing yellow cardboard boxes labelled ``Cleats for a Cause'' around her school and elsewhere in her community. She then started reaching out to individuals and organizations, asking if they had any shoes to spare. Her donations soared after Tarik Guendouzi, the director of the boys' teams for Rise FC, responded and told her that his club wanted to help. Although Levin provided just one cardboard box, the families of the club brought so many shoes that she had to utilize her mother's pickup truck to transport them all back to her house.

Levin then gave the hundreds of shoes she had collected to the All Nations Sports Academy, an organization in Houston that provides underprivileged children opportunities to play soccer. The young kids received them jubilantly, taking the field with new shoes on their feet and a noticeable swagger in their step.

Mr. Speaker, Mickie May Levin has a heart of gold, and she leads by example in making an impact in her community. It is because of the generosity of individuals like Levin that our country is what it is today. Young and old, we can all learn something from her about kindness.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Harvey pushed Houston first- responders to the limit. While groups like the Cajun Navy and other private citizens provided invaluable support to the Houston community in helping with emergency relief, peace officers and firefighters were underequipped to deal with the massive flooding that displaced thousands from their homes. With only old and decrepit boats at their disposal, they were forced to conscript canoes and kayaks.

To put it simply, they needed more boats.

The Houston Fire Department requested 20 boats from the city to help bolster their water rescue fleet, but the city was strapped for cash and could not feasibly pay for 20 boats on their own. Luckily, one group decided to step up and help.

The 100 Club donated 14 new rescue boats to first responders in Houston and Harris County. The group gave the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff's Office five boats each and the Houston Fire Department four. This will provide a much-needed boost to the fleets of these departments, who are now only in need of just a handful of boats from the city.

The 100 Club has a history of helping Houston's finest. The organization has provided millions of dollars in financial aid to the families of fallen officers, scholarships and grants to officers and fire fighters, and equipment for first responders. After observing the water rescue efforts during the hurricane, the group began conversing with the authorities in Houston, who all highlighted the need for more rescue boats.

Mr. Speaker, our first responders provided invaluable assistance to the Houston community during and after Hurricane Harvey, despite their lack of equipment. After all, the tools do not make the man. But the gracious donation by the 100 Club will allow these selfless individuals to serve their communities more effectively. The generosity shown is just another example of why the greatest people on earth live in America: they will always help each other.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, 2018 marks the 19th year since the Communist government in Beijing banned the practice of Falun Gong. We must remember how the Chinese government has purposefully denied the human rights of so many over the last 20 years.

The Falun Gong movement stands for some of mankind's most respected virtues: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The Chinese government saw this peaceful movement growing, and rather than embrace it, they have taken every possible step to destroy it. So the Communists took away Falun Gong's most basic human right: the right to live and worship freely. The Chinese government's top priority is not its citizens, but staying in power at all costs, even if it means persecuting the most peaceful among them.

Beijing's evil knows no limits. We know they murder many Falun Gong practitioners and harvested their organs for profit. We know this shameful practice is going on, because brave men and women have come forward, including family members, practitioners, and even victims themselves. The evidence is undeniable.

This practice is a billion dollar business for the Chinese government. Organ harvesting is the number one source of revenue for Chinese medical centers. The Chinese government makes a profit while silencing a group it sees as threatening. They think they cannot lose. But they can't silent us. We know what is going on behind closed doors. And we will not remain silent.

Recent reports suggest that tens of thousands of transplants annually are funding the construction of new hospital wings devoted solely to these illicit procedures. The Chinese government recognizes only a fraction of these transplants, they claim most of their transplant organs come from prisoners on death row. The report verified that 712 medical institutions perform transplants in China, but estimates from the Executive Chairman of the China Organ Transplant Alliance are well over 1,000, many of which are undocumented. According to their own staff, some of these hospitals perform thousands of transplants every year.

Obviously, the Chinese Communist Party is lying. Dishonesty is standard practice for the CCP. And yet, we will keep fighting back. This fight has not been easy. Many have loved ones in jail right now. Others have been tortured. Others have simply disappeared.

I applaud all who continue to stand up for what is right. Their presence is a testament that no matter how hard Beijing tries to eliminate the Falun Gong, they will fail. I am proud to stand with them after all they have endured.

As a former judge from Texas, justice is of the utmost importance to me. I feel a duty to speak out against the most egregious wrongs committed against innocent people. The world must recognize China as an enemy of human rights. The Falun Gong practice peace. We must protect the rights given to all of us by our Creator.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Lieutenant General Austin Miller, the nominee to lead our forces in Afghanistan, testified before the Senate that the biggest obstacle to success in Afghanistan is Pakistan.

He echoes the same frustrations the President expressed earlier this year and what others in this Chamber, including myself, have said for years,

that Pakistan is providing safe havens for terrorists and playing both sides. Terrorist leaders even arrogantly make public appearances in Pakistan, with the knowledge of the government.

When we take action against terrorists in Pakistan, Pakistan officials typically condemn us, rather than take steps to improve counterterrorism efforts.

President Trump and the incoming commander for U.S. forces in Afghanistan hold a realistic view of Pakistan. Pakistan is the problem with success in Afghanistan.

There should be no American money sent to Pakistan until they stop their treacherous ways. Otherwise, the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan may never end.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, in the past month, four deputies of the Harris County Sheriff's Office saved two lives.

On a Sunday morning in early May, Deputies Jesse Leal and Rebecca Cruz were driving along I-45 when they came upon a man dangling from an I-45 overpass, apparently attempting to take his own life. Covered in mud, oil, and water from a previous call, Leal pulled over and dashed to the side of the bridge. He and Cruz then leaned over the edge of the overpass, risking their own wellbeing, and began heaving the 21-year- old back onto the road. Leal injured his knee in the process, but the two successfully pulled the young man to safety.

In June, Deputy Blake McElhaney was driving home, exhausted after having worked the night shift. On his way, he noticed an accident, a nasty one, on the side of the road. Although he was no longer on duty, McElhaney pulled over and jumped out of his car to help the victims.

Upon his arrival, he discovered an infant, just seven months old, trapped under a dashboard. He called for backup, and then proceeded to shield the helpless baby from glass.

Backup came in the form of Deputy Joe Leal. Leal rushed to the side of his partner and lifted the dashboard enough to take pressure off of the infant. The two continued to protect the small girl until the Spring Volunteer Fire Department arrived. With their assistance, Leal raised the dashboard high enough to pull the baby out of the wrecked car safely. The girl was then life-flighted to a nearby hospital.

For their exceptional performance in the line of duty, these four members of the Thin Blue Line were awarded Deputy of the Month Awards by the HCSO for the months of May and June respectively. In true blue blood fashion, the deputies deflected credit of their heroic efforts to save the lives of two Houstonians, instead highlighting the assistance received from other first responders and ordinary citizens on site during both events.

Mr. Speaker, the men and women who wear the badge are a cut above the rest. Our peace officers protect us from harm, and these events further demonstrate how lucky we are to have such men and women as Deputies Rebecca Cruz, Jesse Leal, Joe Leal, and Blake McElhaney looking out for us.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, in Austin, Texas there is a beautiful community with pets, rooms for arts and music, and beds for 48 young girls. No, this is not a sorority house, rather it is a safe haven for victims of domestic sex trafficking.

Known as The Refuge Ranch, this community is designed to assist girls that have been rescued from the evils of sex trafficking and will open its doors this coming August. When the first girls arrive at the ranch, they will have access to a school, counselors, and different types of therapy including art, garden, and music therapy.

Not only will these girls find an abundance of resources on the grounds, they will also each be able to create a unique plan of restoration known as the Refuge Circle of Care. While volunteers have been working tirelessly to build these facilities and bring in furniture, girls all over America have been raising money for the cause.

One organization of passionate college-aged women known as ``Pedal the Pacific'' will be cycling 1,700 miles down the west coast to raise $250,000 for the ranch--more than double the $60,000 they raised last year. It is through people such as these that communities like the Ranch are able to be built and provide victims a home where they can heal.

Such spaces are necessary, as today in my home state of Texas there are almost 79,000 minors that are victims of sex trafficking. Yet, even though child sex trafficking is the fastest growing crime in this country, there are not even 600 beds offered nationwide for child sex trafficking survivors to be able to recover long-term. Organizations like Refuge Ranch have the right idea in creating more communities and offering more beds to victims of this horrific crime. When it opens in August, the Refuge Ranch will be the largest live-in rehabilitation facility for rescued victims of minor sex trafficking in the United States. Those at the Refuge Ranch have the right idea and I am certain that they will provide 48 young girls with not just a safe place to sleep, but a home in which they can heal.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, 100 years ago this month, American marines forged their legend as the world's most effective fighting force as they halted the German advance in France at the Battle of Belleau Wood. Less than 6 months later, World War I came to an end, and this year we mark the centennial anniversary of the conclusion of the planet's first global conflict.

There was nothing like it before its time. It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month that all of the guns fell silent. After 4 years of war, 18 million people laid dead, 23 million others were wounded, and many of the old empires of Europe crumbled.

Often called the War to End All Wars or the Great War, the First World War left a long shadow over history which we can still feel today. But none experienced the horror of this war more than the 4 million Americans sent to fight over there in Europe and the families they left behind. Their lives were immediately changed forever.

The United States came late to the war, but when we arrived and restored hope to our European allies, we reached a defining moment in our history and world history. Until that time, America was not a great power as we are today, but with the arrival of our doughboys, they ushered in a new era of freedom in Europe. This was the beginning of the American century, the New World superpower, the United States.

Our military saw that it was their duty as champions of liberty to help our allies in need and to make the world safe for democracy. They went to liberate, not to conquer. Our enemy was shocked. Our allies were stunned by the tenacious doughboys. The American doughboys changed the course of the war forever.

Here in this photograph, we have Americans going over the top, as they

say, over the top of the trench, charging into the guns of the Germans.

When the Americans arrived, the Axis powers were slowly gaining power. With Russia's premature exit from the war, German troops from the Eastern Front were able to be redeployed to the Western Front.

In the Spring Offensive of 1918, the Germans threw everything they had at our British and French allies, hoping to end the war before the Americans entered that war. But they were too late. The U.S. troops rushed to the front, relieving their battle-weary comrades and stunning the Germans with the American fighting spirit.

World War I is often considered the first modern war. Military technology made rapid advances, making the battlefield more dangerous than ever in history. The trench warfare was horrifying and brutal.

Despite the dangers, our boys were eager to get into the fight. In June of 1918, the feared German Army was approaching Paris, France, but then they met the United States Marines at Belleau Wood.

Mr. Speaker, when the Americans, the Marines, arrived on the battlefield, they encountered retreating French troops. A French colonel ordered the Marines to retreat as well, but the American captain commanding the 51st Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment made it clear they weren't there to experience defeat. He responded: ``Retreat, hell. We just got here.''

The battle was costly for our Marines, but it broke the German Army's advance and its will to fight. From then on, the Germans only lost. The Allies quickly mounted a successful counteroffensive to push the Germans back into Germany, and the war was over, 100 years ago this year.

We must not forget those who sacrificed so much to make the world a better place. During the war, 116,516 Americans were killed. Another 200,000 were wounded. Thousands more died when they returned to the United States with the Spanish flu that they contracted when they were over there.

While none of the 4 million courageous Americans who answered the call are with us today, their legacy lives on. I am pleased that last year we finally--finally, after 100 years--broke ground on a new memorial here in the Nation's Capital to honor all of those who served in the great World War I.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the World War I Centennial Commission on which I once served for their highlighting of our World War I troops. Now, after 100 years, the memorial will be built in D.C. for those who served, those who returned, those who returned with the wounds of war, and those who did not return. We are giving these great Americans the honor they rightfully deserve here in Washington, D.C.

There are no more of the battlefield-weary troops that served in the great World War I. The last one was Frank Buckles, who died at 110, a friend of mine, and it was his desire to see a memorial built here in Washington for all of those friends of his who served in World War I.

So, finally, we are doing that, and the sacrifice of those Americans for this Nation will be preserved in bronze and stone in the heart of this city; for the worst casualty of war, Mr. Speaker, is to be forgotten.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, Turkish President Erdogan will stop at nothing to spread instability and chaos across the globe. He is funding mosques around the world as a means of supporting Islamic extremism.

These mosques are helping to indoctrinate an increasing number of radicals. These are the very same radicals who have gone on to commit terror attacks in other countries, like France, Belgium, and elsewhere.

In an effort to keep their citizens safe from terrorists, Austria has begun to fight back. Austria closed seven Turkish-funded mosques and expelled several dozen imams from their country because they are a national security risk. This is just the first step in putting the brakes on the new Ottoman Sultan: Erdogan.

Unfortunately, Erdogan has already turned his own country into a full-blown Islamist state. Now he is trying to radicalize other nations by supporting clandestine insurgent extremists. The Sultan of Turkey has gone rogue.

The United States should not sell new F-35s to this dictator until he changes his ways.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the United States Army, the oldest of the five military branches, on the 243rd anniversary of its founding.

On June 14, 1775, America was under attack. The British forces occupied the city of Boston, but the minutemen of Massachusetts resisted. These patriots fought bravely at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, and inspired others from the surrounding colonies to join the fight.

The Second Continental Congress took note of their courage, and when they convened in May 1775, they set out to create an army for the defense of all of the colonies. On June 14th, Congress officially established the Army, and the next day appointed General George Washington as its commander. With his marching orders, Washington rode out to his new command, where he successfully drove the British out of Boston. The newly-formed Continental Army spurred the colonies to victory in gaining their independence from their British oppressors.

The Army has been steadfast in the defense of the American democracy ever since. During its illustrious history, the Army repelled the British attack on New Orleans, charged up San Juan Hill behind Teddy Roosevelt, and stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. The Army ranks have always produced the best and brightest in America. Countless members of Congress and fifteen presidents wore Army uniforms before stepping into public office.

My father, TSgt Virgil Poe, served in the Army as a teenager, in combat, during the Second World War in Europe.

The service of these Americans has not come without sacrifice. In the course of history, hundreds of thousands of Americans in the Army have given their lives in defending our country from harm. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to this rare breed of men and women, the American breed.

Today, nearly half a million men and women make up the most formidable fighting force in the world. As artillery gunners, aviators, chaplains, cooks, dentists, doctors, engineers, infantrymen, intelligence officers, lawyers, nurses, tankmen, technicians, and veterinarians, these individuals are the backbone of the American military and continue to serve as they always have, with honor and distinction, and embody what it means to be Army Strong.

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Army is a vital component of our democracy. They have protected us for 243 years, and wherever we go, you will always know that the Army goes rolling along.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the most recognizable symbol of our democracy: the United States flag. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress officially established a flag for the fledgling nation, decreeing ``that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.''

Throughout our nation's history, ``Old Glory'' has been an ever- present emblem of America. It billowed in the wind outside of Independence Hall as the Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution. It inspired the young poet Francis Scott Key in Baltimore Harbor in 1814, who penned the words of our national anthem after watching Fort McHenry withstand a British siege. It traveled west with the Lewis and Clark expedition and eventually with the pioneers as America expanded from sea to shining sea. It was raised high above Mount Suribachi by the Marines on Iwo Jima during World War II. It has flown at the North Pole, at the summit of Mount Everest, and on the moon.

Both in good times and in bad, the Star Spangled Banner has always yet waved for the American people. Olympic champions held the flag above their heads in triumph, and first-responders have comforted victims of tragedies in its shadow. Our students pledge their allegiance to it each morning, and soldiers and peace officers salute it as they lay their fallen comrades to rest. It continues to remind us of our past, present, and future, flying permanently over the village green of Lexington, Massachusetts, the White House, and all United States customs ports of entry.

Above all, the flag is an embodiment of our identity. Today, the fifty stars in the sea of blue are a visual reminder of our national motto: e pluribus unum. Out of many states came one united nation, and fifty stars, thirteen stripes, and a sea of blue together form a vital component of our one national flag.

Mr. Speaker, all Americans should cherish and respect the flag. Old Glory honors the sacrifice of American men and women who died for the country, guides us to make tough decisions today, and inspires future generations to dream big. Thus, the Stars and Stripes will forever proudly fly over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, America's Peace Corps and those volunteers are our angels abroad. They represent the very best in America. Here with us today in the gallery, we have one of those brave volunteers, Ms. Sara Thompson.

Since she was a little girl, Sara dreamed of helping rural communities in Africa. When she grew up, the Peace Corps gave her that perfect opportunity. She served in Burkina Faso, where she worked to keep girls in school.

Unfortunately, her dream turned into a tragedy when the Peace Corps prescribed medication called mefloquine to protect her from malaria. During her service, she began to have horrific nightmares and struggled with mental health.

When she turned to the Peace Corps for help, the medical officer excused her symptoms as simply ``not adjusting well.'' One night, Sara woke up dizzy, nauseous, and threw up the entire night, so she went to the doctor, and the doctor told her it was an ear infection.

Months later still, Sara struggled with nausea and nightmares. And with no support from the Peace Corps, she took matters into her own hands and started to research those medical problems. It was then that she realized the malaria medicine the Peace Corps had given her was making her sick.

As it turns out, mefloquine's side effects are so terrible, Special Operation Forces in the Army won't even take that medication. Sara was never warned about these horrific side effects by the Peace Corps, and the doctors in her post country didn't seem to recognize the symptoms either.

Our Peace Corps volunteers deserve better. They deserve better care than this, but, unfortunately, I have heard too many stories like Sara's about Peace Corps volunteers. Young, enthusiastic volunteers eager to make a difference in the world are let down by the organization that they once held in such high esteem.

Peace Corps volunteers selflessly sacrifice years of their lives to help people that they have never even met, often in some of the most desolate, dangerous places on the globe.

Their service to our country should not turn into a nightmare that ruins or even ends their lives because we don't take care of them. Small, commonsense changes could make a big difference in protecting our Peace Corps volunteers abroad and when they get home.

That is why Representative Kennedy and I introduced the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act. This bill has passed our Committee on Foreign Affairs and takes important first steps for our angels abroad. It betters medical care for volunteers in the country, improves training on the side effects of malaria medications, and allows the Peace Corps to better prescribe other types of malaria medication.

In addition, this bill better protects our volunteers from sexual assault and harassment when they are in foreign countries. When they return, it extends their health coverage, so they can get the care they need rather than stop taking care of them, as has happened in the past.

There is still more that needs to be done to ensure the safety and security of those wonderful volunteers. They deserve to be protected by the United States and our law when we send them to far reaches of the world. When they return from service with injuries and sickness, volunteers should be able to make ends meet with the disability payment that they receive, which is not the case now.

Mr. Speaker, I hope to see these provisions in law some day, but until then, the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act makes critical improvements for our volunteers. It is essential to see it become law.

Peace Corps volunteers like Sara are the face of our country in places where America's shining beacon of hope and liberty to other people may not always shine so bright without Peace Corps volunteers. These individuals promote goodwill, a better understanding of the United States, and this helps us secure enduring partnerships with these nations.

It also does good in the country that they are in. They change lives every day in local communities that they serve, and they do this many times when they are alone. We must ensure we are doing all we can to minimize unnecessary dangers for our Peace

Corps volunteers, both at home and abroad.

The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act is a crucial first step, and I urge leadership to bring this bill to a vote soon.

As a former judge, I can tell you that it is our duty to do everything within our power to protect these angels abroad. These goodwill ambassadors like Sara Thompson are some of America's best, and America must take care of them when they serve overseas, when they are helping people overseas, and when they return home to America from being overseas.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, our supposed Turkish allies are holding Americans hostage.

At least two Americans, Andrew Brunson and Serkan Golge, are being held by the Turkish regime on false charges. Dictator Erdogan, an Islamist who has arrested thousands of Turks who oppose him, believes that he can use imprisoned Americans as bargaining chips. He hopes that he can trade American hostages for political opponents who fled Turkey's dictatorship.

Even if the individuals Erdogan wanted had clearly committed crimes, which there is absolutely no evidence they have, we should never engage in rewarding Turkey for taking hostages.

Erdogan has proven he has no respect for the rule of law and, instead, rules by fear. We must not assist him in his destruction of democracy in Turkey.

American hostages like Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been held for more than 600 days, must be returned. Until then, the United States needs to reevaluate whether Turkey wants to be considered a friend or foe.

And that is just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, this year, the state of Texas mourned the loss of Wilton Lanning, the founder of the Dr Pepper Museum and W.W. Clements Free Enterprise Institute in Waco.

Texas is a state rich with history, and certain people, places, and objects have become cultural icons. The Alamo, Sam Houston, Friday night lights, and country music, to name a few are all woven into the fabric of Texas.

The popular soda Dr Pepper is one such Texas icon. While the refreshing, sweet beverage has become a hit with consumers around the world, Texans retain a special connection to the brand. Nowhere is this bond stronger than in Waco, where the soda was originally created in a corner drug store in the late 1800's.

Although the company had moved on from its original location as its business continued to grow, Lanning sought to bring the iconic brand back to Waco. He set his sights on a disused building, an abandoned bottling facility, in downtown Waco to house a nonprofit museum dedicated to the heritage and history of the beloved soda.

The odds were stacked against him. The city of Waco had still not completely recovered from the brutal tornado that tore through the city in 1953, and the neighborhood Lanning had his eyes on was run down and bereft of economic or social vitality. The building itself had been declared ``blighted'' by the city of Waco, hardly the ideal spot for a shrine of a world-famous soda product.

There were more than a few naysayers, but Lanning did not let the doubters deter him. Instead, he took initiative to garner support from the Dr Pepper Company and convinced them to sell the building in 1988 with the purpose of converting it into a museum. The renovation began in 1990, and Lanning oversaw the conversion of the old, decrepit building into an exhibition dedicated to Dr Pepper.

The museum opened to the public on May 11, 1991, 38 years to the day after the devastating tornado swept through Waco. 10,000 visitors passed through on the first day, and they continued to come. The museum itself continued to expand from humble origins, and in 1997, the entire building was open to the public. In the same year, Lanning also helped launch the W.W. Clements Free Enterprise Institute, an organization housed in the museum dedicated to educating visitors on the American economic system as personified in the soft drinks industry. Today, the museum has become a pilgrimage site for Dr Pepper aficionados from Texas and beyond, an essential institution to promoting the history and culture of our great state.

None of this would have been possible without Mr. Lanning's leadership and vision. He will be missed not only for his role in the Dr Pepper Museum but also as an active, industrious citizen. He served his community with unrivaled passion and zeal as an Eagle Scout, a 50- year veteran of the Rotary Club, and an expert on Waco's history. Above all, however, the people of Waco and Texas will miss him as a friend and one whose unceasing optimism inspired those around him to be positive.

Mr. Speaker, Wilton Lanning left an admirable example to imitate, and he embodied the best values of our citizenry. So next time you crack open a cold Dr Pepper, raise your glass to Mr. Lanning, a custodian of a Texas icon.

And that is just the way it is.