Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thomas Zacharia, who announced his intent to retire after 35 years at our nation's largest science and energy laboratory.

Dr. Zacharia joined ORNL in 1987 as a postdoctoral researcher, then accepted a staff position a couple years later and quickly became a key player in spurring innovation in new and creative ways. To name just a few of his accomplishments, he established the Materials Modeling and Simulation Group, served as Deputy Associate Laboratory Director for High Performance Computing, and led the creation of the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, which recently helped build the world's fastest supercomputer. His impressive career and leadership skills launched him to the top position as director of ORNL in 2017, where he has served faithfully ever since.

He has also played an instrumental role in expanding collaborative efforts between ORNL and the University of Tennessee. In 2007, he oversaw a new partnership between ORNL and the University of Tennessee to establish the National Institute for Computational Sciences, and in 2019 he helped establish the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute to help the great minds at these institutions work together on scientific research and innovation.

Throughout his career, Dr. Zacharia played a crucial role in advancing major scientific research and development. He's made East

Tennessee proud with all he's accomplished, and I wish him the best as he begins this next chapter in life.

Madam Speaker, I want to honor Tennessee's Second District's October Veteran of the Month, Seaman Nathan Weinbaum. He served our country in the U.S. Navy for nearly five years as an Electronic Technician for Ohio Class Submarine Communications.

Nathan earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology from the University of Tennessee. After the 9/11 attacks, Nathan was inspired to join the armed forces to protect his country, and he joined the Navy as a submarine radioman.

He was assigned to Bangor Naval Base in Washington State, where his duties included Control and Operation Submarine communications systems. During his time on the Submarine, he completed five strategic deterrent patrols aboard the U.S.S. Louisiana Ballistic Missile Submarine.

After he retired, he was still dedicated to helping his fellow servicemembers. He currently serves as Blount County's Director of Veterans Affairs, where he has focused on expanding the use of social media to help veterans and their dependents. He has also helped countless veterans get their VA benefits and honorary high school diplomas and services medals they hadn't received, including four Purple Hearts. In 2013, he was awarded the State of Tennessee County Veterans Service Officer of the Year Award for his above-and-beyond service for his fellow veterans.

He is married to his lovely wife Cheval and they have a daughter Caitlyn.

Our country's heroes are the men and women of our armed forces, like Seaman Nathan Weinbaum, and it's my honor to recognize him as our Veteran of the Month. I thank Nathan for his service, and for his dedication to helping his fellow veterans.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the success story of a fantastic company in East Tennessee and the family that runs it.

Back in 2003, a company called KaTom Restaurant Supply was operating out of a garage. It had fewer than 20 employees and brought in about 3.5 million dollars per year.

This year, that company will bring in almost half a billion dollars. In less than twenty years, it boomed into one of the nation's largest restaurant equipment suppliers that ships thousands of products to food service industries all across the country.

This company's amazing success is due to the hard work and dedication of the family that runs it.

Patricia Bible is the founder, president, and CEO of KaTom, and she runs the company with her two kids, Paula and Charley. The company is actually named after the kids, whose middle names are Katherine and Tom.

Patricia is also a breast cancer survivor, and she funded a mobile mammogram that travels to rural counties across East Tennessee. This mammogram catches cancer and saves lives of women who otherwise wouldn't have access to these services.

I want to congratulate this family and everyone at KaTom for all their success. Our economy is built on companies like this, and these kinds of accomplishments only happen with a LOT of hard work and dedication. It's especially wonderful to see a family building something like this together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Brigadier General Thomas Cauthen, an American patriot who served 38 years in the Tennessee Air National Guard.

He was inspired as a child by watching his dad's career as a pilot in the Tennessee Air National Guard's 134th Fighter-Interceptor Group, which later became the 134th Air Refueling Wing.

In 1984, General Cauthen followed in his dad's footsteps and started his commission right after getting his bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee.

After getting his pilot training, he flew combat support missions during Operation Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Joint Forge, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, and Noble Eagle. He eventually went to the 134th Air Refueling Wing and ended up serving as its commander for 7 years. He then became the director of staff at the Joint Force Headquarters Tennessee and then chief of staff for the entire Tennessee Air National Guard.

Mr. Speaker, last month, he retired after 38 long years of faithfully serving his country. He plans to spend more time with his wonderful wife, Penny, their two kids, and their grandchild. He also plans to get more involved with the community by volunteering with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and get more involved with the East Tennessee Military Affairs Council.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Brigadier General Thomas Cauthen as Tennessee's Second District's September 2022 Veteran of the Month. I thank him for his incredible service and congratulate him on a well-earned retirement.

Congratulating Ethan and Ari Klasky Powerlifting Champions in East

Tennessee

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to appreciate some powerlifting champions in east Tennessee. That is correct, I said powerlifting.

Last week, I was on the plane back to Knoxville from Washington. This fellow sitting next to me talked excitedly about his set of twins, 17- year-old Ari and Ethan, who go to Webb School of Knoxville. They are powerlifting champions.

Their dad, Scott, used to powerlift as a hobby, and he got his boys into the

sport when they were about 9 years old. They all trained together, and as time went on, they ended up loving the sport as much as their dad.

This year, the boys decided to compete for the first time in the Southern Powerlifting Federation championship, and they blew the competition out of the water. Both boys won their divisions, and Ari set a world record--a world record, Mr. Speaker--for his age and weight class by lifting a total of 1,660 pounds between his deadlift, bench, and squat.

It is very cool to me to have a world record holder who goes to school in my district, but it is even cooler to hear how the shared love of powerlifting bonded this father and his sons in a very unique way.

Ari and Ethan didn't grow up as bickering brothers as most do. They grew up as training partners. They supported each other, kept each other safe, and pushed each other to keep pursuing their goals.

Unfortunately, Ari tore his ACL and won't be able to compete in the squat or deadlift this year, but he isn't letting that fact get him down. He still plans to compete in the bench press competition, and he credits his perseverance to his brother's constant inspiration. Ari isn't giving up on his dream of competing in the USA Powerlifting competition.

I have a teenage daughter, Isabelle, and she is also an athlete. She does horseback riding competitions. She is a barrel racer, and she is pretty good at it. I know exactly how awesome it is to be a dad who is incredibly proud of their kids' accomplishments.

We all want our kids to do well in life. To see them push themselves and exceed everyone's expectations is a feeling like no other.

Scott, Ari, and Ethan are prime examples of what we can accomplish when we set goals and work hard every day to achieve them.

Mr. Speaker, I take just a moment to recognize their accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise to remember the life of my friend Peggy Lambert who passed away in May at 81 years old.

Peggy grew up in Maryville and graduated from Maryville High School. She then got B.S. in Nursing from the University of Tennessee and a B.S. in Nursing Administration from the Grady School of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia. After she graduated, she worked as a traveling nurse in hospitals in New York and California.

Peggy was heavily involved in Republican politics for decades. In the 1970s and 1980s Peggy used her impeccable hostess skills to throw parties and fundraising events for Republican candidates in Alabama, and even hosted President and Mrs. Reagan at some of her events.

She returned to Maryville in 1985, where she quickly advanced in the state party. She faithfully served the state of Tennessee as State Committee Woman and National Vice Chair of the Republican Party for multiple terms, and was a Blount County Commissioner for five years.

As much as she loved politics, Peggy loved the Lord and her family even more. In 2016, she retired from politics to focus more of her time on her husband, John, her kids and grandkids, and her beloved dog, Bella.

I want to offer my condolences to Peggy's brother, Bob, and his wife, Dottie, her sister, Cindy, her sons, John and Jason, her five grandchildren, and everyone else who knew her and loved her.

Madam Speaker, following Jim Jordan is like why nobody wanted to follow Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock. It is going to be tough.

But you never reduce burdens or inflation by increasing taxes $740 billion. It is estimated that there is a $4,500 increase on the average family under this proposal. Instead, you simply create more government that never goes away.

This is not an inflation reduction act. It is a woke climate bill that will increase inflation, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, my Democrat friends seem to have forgotten that capitalism is not the enemy; we are.

I would also remind my colleagues across the aisle that, in Tennessee, we reduced taxes and regulations, and now we have record surpluses. Individuals and businesses are moving from your district to mine as fast as they can get there.

Madam Speaker, the ranking member, who I call chairman, will be incredibly missed here in these Halls, but also more so out on the baseball field.

Madam Speaker, for over 30 years, Mike Flynn has served as the District Attorney General for Tennessee's Fifth Judicial District. Today, it's my honor to recognize his distinguished career and congratulate him on his retirement.

Mike grew up in Maryville, Tennessee, and attended the University of Tennessee for his undergraduate and law degrees. He has a love for East Tennessee and, in 1990, chose to run for the District Attorney General position in his home county where he has served ever since.

Mike has a real heart for crime victims, and he fights to make the justice system work for them. Once, when he was asked why he ran for the position, he said, ``I ran for District Attorney General because I felt that the voices of my victims were often overlooked. Throughout my career, I have attempted to listen to victims and make them a part of the criminal justice system.'' That kind of mentality greatly benefits our American system of justice.

Mike also played an active role in starting a Recovery Court program in Blount County. These recovery courts put individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders in treatment programs so they can recover and make better lives for themselves instead of relapsing once they finish serving their time.

I'm pleased to congratulate Mike on his retirement after 32 years of service to the Blount County community. I wish him all the best as he enters the next chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, dozens of Americans are being detained in foreign countries, and this has been brought to everybody's attention by the latest deal in Russia. These families deserve answers from our State Department about what is being done for their cases.

One of these folks is an east Tennessean, a marine named Matthew Heath, who is being held in communist Venezuela. Right now, his family is back in Tennessee, wondering when their boy will come home and what will happen to him in the future.

Mr. Speaker, they deserve real answers from the State Department, not just some bureaucratic nonsense. When it comes to cases like this, the Federal Government needs to be totally transparent, at least with folks' families.

On the poster beside me, you can see a picture of a mural placed here in Washington, D.C., by artist Isaac Campbell. I spoke with Isaac this week. The mural is meant to draw attention to the dire situation. It depicts 18 of the 64 detained Americans, including Matthew Heath.

The mural isn't permanent. It will wash away with the rain and with normal wear and tear. That is what it is meant to do. As we watch the mural deteriorate, we are left to wonder what is going to happen to these individuals by the time it disappears. Are they going to come home, or will they be abandoned by our government?

Their moms and dads, brothers and sisters, loved ones and kids deserve answers from our State Department about what is really happening to their loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to attend votes because I was under medical care. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 373, NAY on Roll Call No. 383, and NAY on Roll Call No. 385.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Army Sergeant First Class Garret Hanas as Tennessee's Second Congressional District's July Veteran of the Month.

Sergeant First Class Hanas served his country for over 20 years assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and spent a large chunk of his military career jumping out of airplanes, and he is probably the only person you will ever meet who has survived a parachute failure twice. He broke his back in the same three places both times, which left him with lots of health complications.

He didn't let any of this kill his spirit, though. He once said: ``God had a bigger purpose for me, and that was to take care our veterans.'' After retiring from the Army after over 20 years of service assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, he dedicated much of his time to helping his fellow veterans. He got heavily involved with the Disabled American Veterans Knoxville chapter, where he now serves as its commander.

He was instrumental in raising funds to get a new DAV van to transport veterans to their doctor appointments at the VA Hospital, and he helped start a program to refurbish used scooters and wheelchairs to give to east Tennessee veterans who need them.

It is my honor to recognize Sergeant First Class Garrett Hanas as Tennessee's Second District's Veteran of the Month for his service to his country, his community, and his fellow veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Speaker, for the record, it is really cold. I don't know what y'all are planning in here, if y'all are planning on cutting hogs or not, but it is that cold. I just want you to know, for the record, some of the folks have complained, and I am one of them.

Mr. Speaker, Brazil and the U.S. have enjoyed a long and successful security relationship. Both partners work together to address regional security challenges, like terrorist activity along the tri-border area, countering narcotics trafficking, including narcotics destined for the United States, and the Venezuelan regime's destabilizing activities.

In fact, Brazil's military was one of the only Latin American forces to join Allied operations during World War II; a conflict in which my father took part in which my uncle lost his life.

This shortsighted amendment fails to recognize our partnership in addressing our national interests and regional stability.

It unnecessarily denigrates the reputation of one of three major non- NATO allies in Latin America.

It also threatens to curtail our long history of security, cooperation, including implementation of the DOD's Women, Peace, and Security Initiative.

The U.S. military has long worked with their Brazilian counterparts to address regional defense matters, premised on respect for democracy and human rights.

We must look for ways of broadening the extensive bilateral agenda to reach mutually beneficial outcomes.

Of course, I serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I wonder why on Earth we would not have considered that in that committee, Mr. Speaker, at this late hour, where it is very cold; very cold.

Mr. Speaker, in order to further bring the other party to its knees on this all-important issue, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this incredibly ridiculous amendment. There is a reason this is the last amendment. I feel like the opposing party is probably a little embarrassed that it is even being brought up, the fact that we are doing it so late.

It would repeal a provision that Democrats approved last year that simply requires the State Department to notify Congress before it spends thousands of dollars on art for United States embassies. Most of this art will never be seen except by the employees of the embassies.

Now, these same Democrats want to repeal this provision because they know there is absolutely no way they can justify spending millions of taxpayer dollars on art when inflation is at 9.1 percent, gas is nearly $5 a gallon, and our country is on the brink of a recession.

This isn't a new thing, though, Mr. Speaker. A few years ago, I found out the State Department spent 84,375 taxpayer dollars on a piece of artwork designed by Bob Dylan. That might have been a bargain if it was Hunter Biden's artwork, but it was Bob Dylan's.

During a government shutdown, while thousands of Federal employees were struggling to make ends meet, I thought that was sickening. I introduced a bill to prevent any tax dollars from being spent on art in United States embassies, but it still hasn't been passed.

Over the past year, the State Department notified us it wanted to spend over $400,000 on a sculpture of clouds in Montenegro, over $250,000 on a mural in Mexico City, $350,000 on a mosaic in Rio, and lots more. They should be spending zero, Mr. Speaker. Zero.

By the way, these purchasing decisions are made by an office that employs 15 people, and many of their salaries are over $100,000 a year, and that is a lot more than the average East Tennessean's salary, the people that I represent.

So the bill that my friend is presenting is sunsetting, is providing oversight in the spending of money, and you are denying Congress the oversight that we should have. We should have the purse strings, Mr. Speaker.

I am sick of hearing things like a million dollars here or there is not that much. Mr. Speaker, that is so elitist, and anyone who says that needs to check their privilege. A million dollars is a lot more than many of my hardworking constituents will see in a lifetime.

Our government cannot justify spending that much on art, and the Democrats know it. That is why we are trying to pass this amendment to get the State Department off the hook from reporting it.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Blount Memorial Hospital.

Blount Memorial Hospital first opened its doors on July 24, 1947, thanks to members of the community who worked together to make it a reality. They named the hospital in honor of the brave Blount County citizens who served our country, those who died or went missing in the line of duty, and those who continue to serve today.

For over seven decades, Blount Memorial Hospital grew and expanded its ability to provide care to East Tennesseans. In 2019, the hospital joined the Mayo Clinic network and gained access to research, diagnostic, and treatment resources that allow Blount Memorial to provide better care to every patient that walks through its doors.

Today, Blount Memorial Hospital is nationally recognized for its heart attack and stroke care, and currently has fifteen facilities in two counties that treat hundreds of thousands of patients each year. Residents of Blount County also benefit economically from the hospital's presence, since Blount Memorial Hospital contributes roughly 15 to 20 percent of the county's economy, employs over 2,500 local citizens, and has--over the past 10 years--provided over $400 million in charity and uncompensated care for folks in our community.

For 75 years, Blount Memorial Hospital and its employees have valiantly served the citizens of Blount County while forging lasting relationships with the community. It is my honor to recognize them on this historic anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate Winston Eye and Vision Center for its 80 years of business serving the wonderful people of the Knoxville community.

In 1942, Dr. Harold J. Winston moved to Knoxville to start an optometry practice and create a good life for himself, his new wife, and the children they planned to have together. Decades later, the center enabled him to work alongside two of his sons, Jerry and Barry Winston, who followed in their father's footsteps and joined his practice after receiving their doctorates in optometry.

The practice expanded to three generations in 2011 when Harold's grandson, Dr. Samuel A. Winston, joined the practice. A few short months later, in December 2011, Dr. Harold Winston passed away, but his legacy and practice are carried on by his sons and grandson who continue to run the business that brought him such great joy during his life.

Congratulations to the Winston family, employees, and everyone involved in helping Winston Eye and Vision Center serve members of our great community for the past 80 years.

Madam Speaker, June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. There are so many things that are dividing our country right now, but this is something that should bring us all together.

Alzheimer's and dementia are frightening diseases that impact millions of Americans every year. Six million Americans are affected, 120,000 Tennesseans.

I have witnessed the effects of Alzheimer's, Madam Speaker, on several people close to me, my Aunt Jane and my Aunt Virginia.

My Aunt Jane, I can remember that I hadn't seen her in years, and she walked up to me and said, ``I don't know who you are, but I feel like you are a good little boy,'' and I was an adult.

My sweet Aunt Virginia, who is married to my Uncle Floyd, suffers from it, as well.

Pat Summitt, who coached the Lady Vols basketball team for 38 seasons--she grew up in my daddy's hometown--came to my daddy's funeral and hugged my mama's neck. She lived with Alzheimer's disease and worked hard to bring awareness to it until she passed away in 2016.

Before she left us, she formed the Pat Summitt Foundation to promote research on Alzheimer's treatment and to educate the public. Also, the Pat Summitt Foundation supports a clinic at the University of Tennessee that cares for those with Alzheimer's.

We can't forget about the folks who take care of those with Alzheimer's, as well. They take a huge emotional and physical toll. We need to remember these folks. The Bible tells us that we need to remember the least amongst us, and surely they are in that category.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the subject of this Special Order.

Madam Speaker, there are so many issues that are facing our country right now thanks to the disastrous policies coming out of the Biden administration.

Inflation is up 8.6 percent. Economists are predicting a recession within 12 months or less. Our energy crisis--which is totally preventable--is only getting worse. We need to turn our spigots back on, Madam Speaker. We are relying on foreign adversaries--mostly enemies, I feel like most of the time--to produce oil instead of turning our spigots back on, as I stated.

The Biden administration is still shoving Americans toward electric cars which cost on average $60,000. That is more than the average Tennessean makes in a year. I know for folks living in the Beltway that is nothing to them, but to the average working American, that is a whole heck of a lot of money. The environmental problems that these cars cause with their batteries and the slave labor to produce them in these foreign countries that we have no regulations over is despicable, and for anybody to wrap themselves up around that is part of the problem.

Gas hit $5 per gallon last week--$5. People can't even afford to go to work in most areas. President Biden is trying to act like he is doing something about it by proposing a 3-month gas tax suspension.

Madam Speaker, that is laughable. That is laughable. The way it is rising they will save no money. At best it is a short-term solution to a long-term problem, and at worst it is just an attempt to distract Americans from the Biden administration's refusal to turn our oil spigots back on. Also, it would leave a $10 billion hole in the highway trust fund.

Also, the baby formula crisis is still looming. We have got this problem, and the solution that Washington offered was to pay more FDA bureaucrats more money and not solve the problem.

The Democratic Party has accused the Republicans of some awful things, but one of them was that we were standing in the way of this when, in fact, we voted for the compromise bill, but the national media, which is so in the tank for this administration, refuses to mention it.

In closing, I thank all my colleagues who are here tonight to call out the never-ending flood of problems coming out of President Biden's White House.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman), who is Mr. Positive.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Grothman for his remarks. As I have stated many times since I learned it when I first came up here, there are three really great things that come out of Wisconsin. One is Harley-Davidson, two is cheese, and the other is Glenn Grothman.

Next, we have possibly the only rice farmer that I know in Congress and that I probably ever will know, and that is my good friend, Doug LaMalfa, from the great State of California's First District.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from my home State, Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

They definitely need to do better.

Madam Speaker, if it wasn't for the great State of Tennessee there wouldn't be a great State of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), one of the great ones.

Madam Speaker, I was always amazed in my hometown, as a young man, I would watch people protesting out in front of a fur shop, and they had leather-soled shoes on. I always wondered if those cows died of natural causes.

Madam Speaker, next we have the man from a little town down in Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, home of the greatest rock and roll band of all time, Lynyrd Skynyrd. There is no other. I appreciate Mr. John Rutherford being here with us today, former sheriff, all around good guy.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Rutherford, I appreciate you. I appreciate Jacksonville, Florida, and the influence it has had on this country and your influence on us and your service as a sheriff and a man of law and order and a man of conviction. I appreciate that.

One thing you talked about was taking responsibility. This administration has refused to take responsibility. Although when President Biden was debating Bernie Sanders when he was running for office, he did not say anything worthwhile, I thought. He didn't say anything like give me liberty or give me death or anything like that, but he did say that he was going to raise gas prices, and he said he was going to do that and put the oil industry out of business and get people on electric cars.

Well, he is halfway there. He has just about put the oil industry out because of the rising prices and the way it is controllable. He refuses to take the responsibility for that.

Now we are overseas doing business, trying to do business with folks that we have not really been on friendly terms with, for good reason, their involvement in September 11 and other things.

Yet, we still are back over with our hands out to the members of OPEC. That is very unfortunate.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my good friend, Madison Cawthorn, the pride of the Carolinas.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Cawthorn.

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure being here with you all. I know my wife is watching this and probably wants to get to the Mexican restaurant right now, and so I will cut this really short, Madam Speaker.

Thank you for your indulgence tonight. It has been a real pleasure.

I say thank you to the leadership for whoever canceled out at the last minute and allowed me to be up here and do this. It has been very enjoyable. It is the first in my life and maybe a last. I thank all the young folks back there who work very hard to make our lives a lot easier.

Madam Speaker, I would go on a tirade right now, but I believe I will just let it go. You probably want to go home after a long day as well, so you can just say you owe me one.

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