Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and service of Mr. Bradford Freeman, a member of the Greatest Generation and a true hero. He belonged to Company E, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment under the 101st Airborne Division, also known as Easy Company. Their exploits were memorialized in the HBO mini-series ``Band of Brothers.''

Mr. Freeman was born in Mississippi on September 4, 1924. He started his freshman year at Mississippi State University before enlisting in the Army in December of 1942. He finished his freshman year and reported in April 1943. He first reported to Camp Shelby, and then Fort McClellan for 13 weeks of basic training. He trained as a paratrooper at Fort Benning, Georgia. In North Carolina, he joined the 541st which evolved into the 101st.

After midnight on D-Day, nineteen-year-old Freeman made his first combat jump. On June 5, 1944 he boarded a C-47, among a fleet of 87 aircraft, and travelled across the English channel over Normandy. German antiaircrafts broke the soldier's silence. He jumped from the aircraft at 200 miles per hour, 100 miles per hour faster than normal jump speed. Freeman landed safely and was assigned to guard a crossroads near the Brecourt Manor farm, where the batallion would later take out four German artillery pieces. He heard Navy shells flying overhead towards targets further inland.

Freeman served for two years, 11 months and 20 days in the United States Army and left the service as a private first class. He returned home to his family on December 2, 1945. He reunited with his childhood friend Willie Gurley, and the two were married in 1947. They had two daughters, Beverly Clark and Rebbecca Louis. After over 60 years of marriage, Willie passed away in 2008. After returning from war, Mr. Freeman returned to farming. He loved to hunt, fish, and sit on his front porch.

I am deeply grateful for Bradford Freeman's lifetime of service to this country and the state of Mississippi. His sacrifices will never be forgotten, and his service always revered.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mark Anthony Mazzone, who passed away on Tuesday, April 20 at North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice. I join his family, friends, and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Mark Anthony, also known as Curly, proudly owned WFC Automotive. He was an avid NASCAR fan. He loved the outdoors, spending his free time fishing, boating, and camping. He was a devout Catholic and was dedicated to his faith.

Left to cherish his memory are wife, Pam Castle Mazzone; stepdaughter, Whitney; daughter, Margeoux; and stepson John.

I am thankful for the life and service of Curly Mazzone and join his loved ones in celebrating his life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life John Lee Dickinson of Mantachie, Mississippi who passed away on January 7, 2021 I at North Mississippi Medical Center. I join countless friends, family, and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Born February 4, 1947 in Marietta, Mississippi to Fisher and Jewel Lindsey Dickinson, John Lee grew to be a star athlete. He graduated from Mantachie High School and married his sweetheart Joyce Ann Franks in 1966. For 40 years he worked at the Tombigbee Electric Power Association and retired as the Fulton Branch Manager in 2009. He served in the United States Army National Guard, where he was awarded sharpshooter medals and other honors. He passed on his love of athletics, hunting, fishing and farming to his four children.

John Lee was an athlete and a scholar. He deeply enjoyed literature and poetry and was a gifted painter. He played four instruments and taught himself Spanish. John Lee was a dedicated grandfather, spending hours at the pool with his family and beloved dogs, Luke and Mandy.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Joyce Ann Franks Dickinson; children Chris, Angie, Brian, and Jason; best friend, Barry; and many grandchildren.

John Lee Dickinson was a great man dedicated to family, faith, and country. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mr. Charles Spencer who passed away at the age of 94 on Monday, March 22. I am grateful for the service of men like Mr. Spencer, and I join his family and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Mr. Spencer was born on November 21, 1926 in Clay County. He grew up on his family's farm and spent his entire life as a resident of Itawamba County. In 1944, he was married to his childhood sweetheart, Martha West.

Charles was passionate about education. He spent his life inculcating into his students the value of education. He began his career under the Emergency Certificate in 1947 teaching 5th and 6th grade at Tilden and Banner. He taught social studies and coached the men's and women's basketball teams at Cleveland Vocational School in 1951 and 1952. In 1952 Mr. Spencer earned his BS in Education from Mississippi State University before returning to Itawamba County to serve as principal at Mantachie. He taught night classes to veterans who sought to further their education. In 1972 he returned to Mississippi State to earn his MA in Education Administration. He was then appointed as Superintendent of Education of Itawamba County.

Charles is survived by his son, Keith; daughter, Brenda; grandchildren, Klista, Ina, Matthew, Beth Ann, Stephanie and Max; and great-grandchildren Mia Rae, Aiden, Charlie, Catherine, Colin, Anthony, Marina, and Alexios.

Mr. Charles Spencer was a central figure in the education of countless Mississippi students and I commend him for his lifetime commitment to his community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Ken Seals who passed away on Monday, March 29 at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. I join Ken's family and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Ken, born to M.L. and Viola Laprade Seals, grew up in Pontotoc. He graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1956 and received his associate's degree from Itawamba Junior College. He later attended Mississippi State University before joining the United States Army. He served in Germany from 1958 to 1961. In 1965, Ken married Shelby Jean Seals. The two were married for 45 years until her passing in 2010.

Ken worked for 33 years as a purchasing agent for Malone and Hyde. He was an active member of First Baptist Church and West

Jackson Street Baptist in Tupelo. He was an avid collector of baseball cards and coins.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Diana Lynn; sons, Jeffery Lane and Michael Allen; and ten grandchildren.

I am grateful for the impact of men like Mr. Seals, and I commend him for his lifetime of service to family, state, and country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Ms. Barbara Ivy who passed away on February 15, 2021 at North Mississippi Medical Center. I join her family, friends, and loved ones in mourning her loss.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of Jerry Boyd, one of the First African American State Troopers in Northeast Mississippi and the first man of color to serve in Tishomingo County law enforcement. l am grateful for Mr. Boyd's service to the state of Mississippi and join his family and loved ones in celebrating his lifetime of service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mr. Gerald Kidd who passed away on February 20 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. I join his family and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Mr. Kidd grew up in Pontotoc County, graduating from Hurricane High School. In 1944 he married Mildred Dowdy. In that same year he entered service as a private in the United States Army and was assigned to the European Theatre during WWII. He was a rifleman in the 2nd platoon of Company B 318th Infantry. Shortly before Christmas of 1944, he was taken prisioner by German soldiers. He was released in April of 1945 and was awarded the purple heart.

Gerald returned to Pontotoc and his wife, Mildred where they had two children. He soon began a career in home building that started in Memphis but quickly moved he and his family around the country. The pair retired to the Alabama Gulf Coast before finally returning to Pontotoc.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 77 years, Mildred; children Sandy and Gary; two grandchildren and several great- grandchildren.

I am grateful for the service of men like Mr. Kidd who dedicated their life to family, faith, and country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Lt. Scot Ames, Jr. who passed away on a pilot training mission on February 19, 2021. I join his family and his squadron in mourning his loss.

Scot grew up in Pekin, Indiana and attended Eastern High School. He was an athlete and outdoorsman. Before graduating, he earned his Private Pilots License. He attended Indiana State University, where he was an active member of the ISU Bass Fishing Team. He studied Aviation Management and met his wife Audra. The two met almost three years ago and were married in the Fall of 2020.

Scot was known by his squadron for his love of flying. When he was young, he spoke of one day becoming a pilot in the United States Air Force. He was dedicated to his students as an instructor pilot and he impacted countless lives throughout his career.

Left to cherish Scot's memory are his wife, Audra Dial Ames; parents Ginger Bailey and Scot Wayne Ames; sister, Courtni; nieces Felicity and Gwen; nephew Evan; and countless loved ones.

I join my fellow Mississippians in mourning the loss of a talented and dedicated young pilot. He will be deeply missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Reverend Joseph McKnight who passed away February 27, 2021. I join his family, friends, and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Born to Reverend Richard Franklin McKnight and Flora Hicks on January 4, 1956, Rev. McKnight was raised with the conviction of service to God. He grew up near Nashville, Tennessee and graduated high school before continuing his education in Theology and Psychology. At the age of 16 he recognized his call to ministry. In September of 1988 he was ordained as a Licensed Minister with the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. McKnight married Roxan Prater on June 10, 1977. Throughout his ministry he has served as Pastor at Milledgeville Pentecostal Church, Youth President of the Tennessee District ALJC, and Youth Pastor for the Pentecostal Church of Blue Mountain. He has also served on the board of Iron Hill Christian Academy, Chairman of the Board of Blue Mountain Children's Home, and New Beginnings International Children's & Family Services Board.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Roxann; brothers Robert, Richard, Ron, and Steve; sister, Glenda; and many nieces and nephews.

Rev. McKnight had an immeasurable impact on the faith community across Mississippi and I am grateful to his service to God, family, and state.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Robert Allan Smith. On November 12, 2020 Lieutenant Colonel Robert Allan Smith passed away. Allan served his Nation for over 45 years in the United States Air Force (USAF) and in the Department of Defense (DoD), Pentagon.

Alan was dedicated to his faith. He was a devoted member of the Fort Belvoir Community Chapel, Fort Belvoir, VA. Allan married the love of his life, Dr. Patricia Moseley. Happily, they celebrated over twenty years of joyful devotion. Allan graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and as a member of the USAF Reserve Officer Training Corps. Later he obtained a Masters of Science degree from Troy State University.

Upon his Military commissioning, he completed USAF Pilot Training, Fort Rucker, AL, and a decade later served there as a Flight Examiner, Instructor Pilot, and Academic Instructor. As a Commander for multiple Squadrons and missions worldwide, his leadership and focus on his unit personnel achieved outstanding results in rescue and medical evacuation missions. He was assigned to the Pentagon, USAF Headquarters, and upon retirement began an exemplary career as a federal civilian employee in the DoD, USAF Headquarters.

Mr. Smith is greatly missed by many Military colleagues for his dedication and significant contributions and by his Pentagon Chapel friends. Allan is survived by his devoted brother, David Smith (Jeanne); daughters, Ms. Jenny Pechou, Ms. Ashley Smith and Mrs. Sarah Tinsley (Daniel); and cousins, Maxwell Carroll (Barbara) and Dr. Cheryl Powell (Gil). Allan loved his brothers and sisters-in-law, Mrs. Janet Sellers (David), Frank Moseley (Dr. Christine), and Jeff Moseley (Edith); and father-in-law, Retired CMSgt James Moseley.

I join countless friends, family members, and colleagues in mourning the loss of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Smith. He was an outstanding man dedicated to family, faith, and country, and he will be deeply missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Todd Gale. Mr. Gale was an outstanding Mississippian and I join his loved ones in mourning his loss.

Todd was born In Columbus, Mississippi on October 9, 1968. He was educated at Heritage Academy before matriculating to Mississippi State University where he studied Landscape Architecture. After graduating, he joined the United States Forest Service in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Todd Gale married Stephanie McLain on July 16, 1994. With her support, Todd earned his Masters Degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. He soon became the General Manager of Columbus Light and Water. He served on the boards of the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association and American Public Power Association. Todd was a community servant and was active on the boards of Main Street Columbus, Columbus Lowndes Humane Society, Mississippi University for Women Advisory Board and St. Paul's Episcopal Church Vestry and Junior Warden.

Left to cherish Todd's memory are his wife, Stephanie; children, Stormy and Gunnar; and his godchildren. Todd was a beloved member of the Columbus community and a man dedicated to his family and faith. He will be deeply missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and service of Corporal Walter Gann, an American hero and an outstanding representation of the state of Mississippi.

Walter Gann was born on January 31, 1922 to John and Mary Rogers Gann. He spent the first eighteen years of his life in Calhoun City, Mississippi. Only July 3, 1941 he joined the United States Army Air Forces in Jackson, Mississippi and was soon deployed to the Philippines. At eighteen years old Walter faced attack by the Japanese Imperial Army. After several months of battle with minimal food, supplies, and medical care, the American soldiers were forced to surrender; the Bataan Death March began on April 9, 1942. Corporal Gann, enduring shrapnel wounds and malnutrition, marched 65 miles in the blistering heat.

It is believed Corporal Gann arrived at Fukuoka POW Camp No. 1 on Kyushu Island where he faced barbaric treatment from Japanese guards. He was eventually transported to Japan; Gann and his fellow soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder on the Japanese hell ship. Men died by the dozens of suffocation, starvation, and dysentery. In Japan, Corporal Gann was a POW for three and a half years.

Corporal Gann was released upon American Victory and was immediately treated in a Washington hospital before returning home. His family rejoiced to see him alive and safe. He was called to testify in the war crime trials following WWII but could not attend because he was hospitalized. For the remainder of his life Corporal Gann bore the weight of all he had witnessed.

In 1949 Walter moved to Booneville, Mississippi and married Juanita Goddard. Together they raised four children. In August of 1963 his wife passed, and in November of that year his son was killed in a motorcycle accident. In 1970 he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee until his death on October 14, 1980. He was laid to rest at Crossroads cemetery in Jumpertown, Mississippi with his wife and son.

In the course of his life Corporal Gann was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, a Purple Heart, the WWII Victory Medal, an A.P. Theater Medal with 1 Bronze Star, the American Defense Medal with 1 Bronze Star, and the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star. He also received a letter from President Harry S. Truman thanking him for his service to the United States.

I am grateful for the service of Corporal Walter Gann and admire his commitment to faith, family, and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1868, the bill to prevent across-the-board direct spending cuts.

It should come as no surprise to my Democrat friends. They were told during what little process we had in the $1.9 trillion spending bill that it was going to disproportionately hurt seniors and that it was going to hurt farmers.

My friends were told this, and they ignored that, knowing they would have to fix it later and drive something just as irresponsible through now.

A disproportionate share of this $2 trillion goes to urban, poorly run, Democrat cities and States at the expense of our rural, blue- collar Americans who feed, clothe, and protect America every day. We told my friends this weeks ago, and they ignored it.

I am deeply concerned that the Democrats would enact a bill that adds $1.9 trillion to an American deficit without the support of a single Republican. Over 200 voting Members of this body had no opportunity for input into this massively destructive package.

The Biden administration promised the American people bipartisanship and unity. However, they unilaterally drafted and pushed this bill through without any Republican support.

Now, the Democrats have hastily put together a bill that jeopardizes the standing of our seniors and mortgages the future of our children.

My colleague, Ranking Member Smith, reminded the Democrats of the consequences of such a dramatic increase in mandatory spending: a $36 billion cut to Medicare beginning in 2022. Democrats would rather cut benefits to American seniors in rural America than give up checks to illegal immigrants and prisoners.

The Democrats have taken advantage of the need of the American people. My colleagues are advocating for a more responsible alternative that would remove the wasteful spending of the Biden bailout bill and protect the most vulnerable population. We must cut the billions of liberal State bailouts and be sure money already authorized is spent responsibly.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for allowing me to speak today in support of H.R. 208 to designate a post office for Colonel Carlyle ``Smitty'' Harris, my friend.

Madam Speaker, he served with one of our colleagues and friends here, Mr. Sam Johnson, and was in the Hanoi Hilton with him for much of the time they shared together. I have this long speech written, but I want to talk about who Carlyle Smitty Harris is.

He is Smitty to all his friends. You would never know that he was a lawyer; you would never know that he was a pilot; you would never know that he was a retired colonel. He is such a gentleman and such a role model for our entire community. His family are key people in the Tupelo area.

Smitty was shot down and spent almost 8 years in the Hanoi Hilton. During that time, he had learned many, many years ago, from a sergeant, about a tap code they used to communicate in World War II. Being one of the first 10 or 12 prisoners in the Hanoi Hilton, they would separate them so that they couldn't communicate. And Smitty taught this to all the other members when they came in so that they could communicate when they were separated and segregated as prisoners.

You would think that 8 years serving in the Hanoi Hilton that you would be bitter, that you would hate humanity, that when you were tortured, you would want to be tortured or be mean to others, but not Smitty Harris. Colonel Harris is a gentleman of all gentlemen. He took it, and now he uses his faith and all the strength that he gained from all those years being away from the people and the things that he loved, and he is not necessarily happy about it, but he is so content with his life, and he passes on the lessons that he learned.

I think back when I went to the governor's mansion many years ago, and I had my--at the time--17-year-old son. Smitty spent about 2\1/2\ hours on the tour bus with my son talking to him about life, about what it meant to be a man.

Madam Speaker, there are not enough words to describe what Smitty Harris has done for this Nation. He is a true hero, just like our former colleague and friend, Sam Johnson, was. These guys gave their best to this Nation during the Vietnam war during their captivities, but he continues to give to his community even today.