Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of William Earl Stone who passed away on February 3, 2021. Earl was a fixture in his community and will be deeply missed.

Earl was born to Lela Bell Stone on March 30, 1937. He graduated from Guntown High School in 1957 where he and Elaine Cook served as Vice President and President, respectively. He worked at Toms Drugstore,

where he perfected his milkshake recipe. He began his career in road construction at Boyer, Johnson and Kimes. He eventually became a partner and then sole owner of the company. He served until his death as president and board member of the Mississippi Road Builders Association.

Earl went on to marry his class president, Elaine. The two spent 59 years together and had three children. The family were members of Friendship Baptist Church where Earl served as Church Clerk, Assistant Moderator, choir member and served on many committees. He was committed to the revitalization of downtown Baldwyn and was very connected to his family.

Earl Stone was an outstanding Mississippian and a man dedicated to his family and faith. He will be deeply missed.

Madam Speaker I rise today in celebration of the life of Nathaniel Stone. He was a beloved educator and community leader and he will be deeply missed by the people of North Mississippi.

Nat was born on February 17, 1930, to Cleve Hopkins and Miona Stone in Tupelo, Mississippi. He and his brother Louis stayed in the area and attended George Washington Carver School. He joined the United States Army and served in the Korean war before playing baseball in the Negro American Leagues with the Chicago Blacksox and the Memphis Redsox. He later earned his Bachelors degree at Mississippi Industrial College and Masters of Elementary Education School Administration at Jackson State University.

Mr. Stone was known primarily as an educator. He began his career in Kosciusko before relocating to Tupelo. He was the principal at Green Street Elementary and later Milam Intermediate School. When the school district integrated in 1970, Mr. Stone worked as a liaison with the black community. He inspired countless students, many of whom went on to pursue careers in education.

Mr. Stone is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Clytee Stone, and is survived by his children; Debra, Nathaniel, and Gwendolyn.

Mr. Stone was a beloved member of the Tupelo community and will always be remembered as an inspiration to countless students.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the Bicentennial of Franklin Academy in Columbus, Mississippi--the state's first Public School. In its two hundred years, Franklin Academy has had a profound impact on education in our state.

In December of 1821, construction was completed on the first schoolhouse. A 20x30 foot wood framed structure was erected to house the first classes, and in 1835 a second structure was built to separate the boys and girls. In 1866, a fourteen-room, three-story building became the new home of Franklin Academy. An adjoining chapel allowed for religious services and education.

In November of 1909 President Taft visited Franklin Academy as a stop on a national tour. Nine years later, the school adapted to elementary students when Stephen D. Lee High School was completed. It wasn't until 1939 that the current two-story building was constructed under the Public Works Administration.

Franklin Academy was integrated in September of 1965. It has since been named a Mississippi landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I commend all current and former faculty, staff, and administration at Franklin Academy for preserving educational excellence and continuously striving for the best quality education for our young people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Derwood Ray Boyles who passed away on October 13, 2020. Colonel Boyles was a dedicated serviceman and dedicated his life to faith, family, and country. I join countless Mississippians in mourning his loss.

Born March 20, 1928 to Silas and Lurline Windham Boyles in Lorena, Mississippi, Derwood Ray Boyles and his family soon moved to Jackson, Mississippi where he spent the rest of his life. Derwood was a founding member of the Jackson Boy's Club. In 1946, he graduated from Central High School as an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. While at Central High, Derwood was also a ROTC cadet, which enabled him to join the U.S. Navy near the end of WWII. He was selected to be a squadron leader at boot camp and spent his tour of duty in the Mediterranean area on the Providence, the flag ship of the fleet. It was on this tour Derwood had the opportunity to meet Pope Pius XII.

Derwood returned stateside and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1951. He studied Accounting and soon joined his uncle at Dreyfus Insurance Agency--one of the oldest agencies in the state. He was committed to his partners, continuing to visit the office into his 90s, and was inducted into the Mississippi State University Insurance Hall of Fame in 2007.

While serving as the president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Derwood met Miss Jackson, Regina Harlan. On December 17, 1957, the two were married in Rockefeller Center in a ceremony broadcasted on NBC. The two were married for over 62 years before his passing.

Colonel Boyles dedicated 28 years of service to the Mississippi Army National Guard. He was an active member of many veteran and military organizations. In 2006 he was awarded the Spirit of Volunteerism Award by the Defense Department. He also received the Medal for Exceptional Public Service, the highest level public service award given by the Department of Defense.

Derwood is survived by his wife, Regina Harlan Boyles. Other survivors are son, MG Janson Durr Boyles; daughter, Jennifer Boyles McCall; grandchildren Durwood Graham (Gray) Boyles and Connor Boyles of Dallas, TX; Carter McCall, Sarah Douglas McCall and Matt McCall (Laura) of Knoxville, TN.

Colonel Boyles was an outstanding Mississippian who expemplified a commitment to public service. He dedicated his life to making life better for his community. I am grateful for men like Derwood who so humbly served our great state, and my deepest condolences are with those who loved him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Robert ``R.G.'' Moore who passed away January 6, 2021.

R.G. Moore was born on February 5, 1943 to Albert R and Mary M. Moore in Louise, Mississippi. R.G. dedicated his life to service and state as a SSGT U.S. Marine Corps Veteran. He also founded the Marine Corps League and became a founding member of the Desoto County Veteran's Park in Southaven, Mississippi.

R.G. served 34 years and retired as Captain from the Memphis Police Department. He was also involved with the American Legion Post No. 134 of Horn Lake and Rolling Thunder MS Chapter No. 2. I am grateful for Mr. Moore's lifetime of service to the United States and the state of Mississippi.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 54 years, Diane. He is remembered by his two sons; Matthew and Mark; and five grandchildren, Jackson, Tucker, Rylie, Lucy and Lily.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Mr. Richard Rice who passed away on Saturday, January 16 at North Mississippi Medical Center. His beloved wife, Jill, passed away in November of 2020.

Richard was born in September of 1940 in Ware, Massachusetts to Thomas and Jean Lech Rice. After attending public high schools, Richard enlisted in the United States Navy. During Basic Training in Millington, Tennessee, he met his wife Jill. The two were married in September of 1960. Throughout his military career, Chief Petty Officer Rice served as a meteorologist, forecasting sea swells and tracking atmospheric changes for missile launches.

In July, 1979, Richard and Jill moved to Tupelo, Mississippi where Richard soon became a household name. He was Northeast Mississippi's weatherman and delighted children each Christmas as the ``Santa Tracker.'' He was deeply invested in the community, frequently speaking to local organizations and schools about his career in meteorology. He mentored colleagues at WTVA and was a role model for local broadcasters. Off screen, Richard was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, as well as an accomplished gardener.

Richard Rice is survived by his daughter, Debbie; three grandchildren, John, Robert, and Scotty; and three great-grandchildren, Lauren, Aaryn, and Chloe.

Richard Rice was a local hero, community leader, and role model to many. I sincerely thank him for his service to the state of Mississippi and extend my deepest condolences to his loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Mrs. Rose Roberts who passed away at North Mississippi Medical Center in Pontotoc on January 8 of this year.

Mrs. Roberts was born to Charlie and Rosa Nell Smith Dickerson in March of 1930 in Tippah County. In 1948, she graduated from Ripley High School and attended Wood Junior College before earning her degree in Education from Blue Mountain College in 1956. She taught for many years in Dumas, Centre, Ripley, Hickory Flat and Walnut before becoming a Social Worker in 1963. Rose went on to earn her Master's Degree in Social Work from Tulane University. She continued to serve the state of Mississippi as Supervisor of Region II of the MS Welfare Department and upon her retirement she was EEOC for the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Mrs. Rose Roberts was a dedicated servant to her community, Throughout her career she aided in facilitating both local and overseas adoptions, also serving as a board member for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and the Northeast Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross. She worked as an associate professor in the Social Work Department at Ole Miss and worked with B.S.W. students in selecting a career path. She was often seen at the schools of her children, serving as homeroom mother, assisting the Girl Scouts, or working in the concession stand at Ripley High School football games.

Mrs. Rose Roberts is survived by her husband, James Roberts Jr.; children, Pat Harrison, Ava Jordan, and Kim Harrison; and grandchildren, Stacy, Shannon, Trey, Megan, Gage, Guy, Rob, and Sarah. Left to remember her are also five greatgrandchildren.

Mrs. Rose Roberts lived an admirable life of service and embodied dedication to faith and family. My deepest condolences are with her loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mayor Thomas Griffith who passed away January 6 at the age of 80.

Mayor Griffith was born on February 7, 1940 in Okolona, MS to Sidney and Eva Mae Jones Griffith. He was raised in the Wren community

and graduated from Amory High School in 1958 before attending Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State University. There, he studied Business Administration. He soon returned to Amory and married Ms. Ruth Mcallister in September of 1964. He was a dedicated member of St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Amory, where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board and President of the United Methodist Men. He was dedicated to the Amory community, serving as the Paul Harris Fellow of the Amory Rotary Club, on the Board of Directors for First Friends in Amory, as a member of the ICC Board of Trustees and the ICC Alumni Board.

In 1977, Thomas Griffith was elected Mayor of Amory. He served a 28 year tenure, dedicating countless hours to the betterment of the community in which he was raised. He cited his term in public service as the pinnacle of his career. He was appointed to numerous leadership councils following his retirement from city government, most notably as Administrator of the Tenn-Tom Waterway Authority.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 56 years, Ruth; two sons, Tommy and Dan; and four granddaughters, Erin, Sydney, Logann, and Reese.

Mayor Griffith was a dedicated husband and father, a servant to his state, and a man of faith. He will be deeply missed by all who had the opportunity to know and love him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Dock Gabbert who passed away on December 30. Dock dedicated his life to serving the people of Mississippi and his legacy will be long remembered.

Born on July 30, 1942 in Banner, MS to Dock and Rena Gabbert, Dock went on to graduate from Bruce High School. In 1960, he married Gloria Kay Ramage and spent 25 years with Willis Engineering. He also served in the Mississippi Army National Guard. Dock was known for his deep love for the outdoors. He went on hunting trips with friends that took him across the country. He could often be found fishing or working in his yard. His love for his community was at the forefront of all he did.

Dock began his career in public service in 1967 on the Derma Board of Alderman. In 1969, he was elected mayor of Derma, where he ultimately served 51 years making him Mississippi's longest serving mayor. He won 14 elections, one by only a two-vote margin. He took pride in his contributions to the city infrastructure and his part in making Denna an enjoyable city to live in. His tenure allowed continuity in local projects and his impact on the quality of life in Derma will endure.

Dock Gabbert was an outstanding Mississippian who exemplified a commitment to public service. He dedicated his life to making life better for his community. I am grateful for men like Dock who so humbly served our great state, and my deepest condolences are with those who loved him.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Quthel McNatt of Tishomingo who passed away December 14 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Mr. McNatt was a beacon of kindess and generosity to all who had the opportunity to know him. He served as a Deacon at Tishomingo Baptist Church. In his free time, Mr. McNatt enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of IBEW Local 474. From 1989 to 1993 Quthel McNatt served as the mayor of Tishomingo.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Sara Haines McNatt; sons, Edward, Wesley, and Joshua; and grandchildren, gage, Brady, Belle, Karmen, and Maddyx.

Quthel McNatt was a man of faith and a servant to family, state, and country. He was a blessing to those who knew him and an outstanding Mississippian.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Nolan Mettetal who passed away Monday, December 28, 2020 at the age of 75. As a fellow legislator, I am grateful for Mr. Mettetal's dedication to family, state, and country.

Mr. Mettetal was born on November 19, 1945 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Wayne and Georgia Mettetal. He began his career as a registered pharmacist, but soon realized his gift for public service when he ran for Mississippi legislature. Mr. Mettetal served as Mississippi District 10's representative, serving constituents across Panola, Lafayette and Tallahatchie Counties. He handily won two elections for this seat and enjoyed meaningful relationships with members and staff at the Mississippi Capitol. Mr. Mettetal also valued his free time with his wife, affectionately known by their community as ``Mrs. Kay.'' The two took daily walks around Sardis Lake where he enjoyed watching for hummingbirds and feeding the deer.

Nolan Mettetal is survived by his wife, Kay Ford Mettetal; daughter, Kim; son, Carey; and five grandchildren, gracie, Julien, Nolan, Adelaide and Sadie.

Nolan Mettetal was a light unto all who had the opportunity to know and love him, and he will be deeply missed. My deepest condolences are with his family and friends.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, this is an attempt to codify a 2013 USCIS memo establishing parole in place for unlawful aliens, spouses, children, and parents of Active-Duty forces.

While I support the underlying rationale behind this amendment and also that policy, I cannot support this because it is too vague, broad, and ambiguous, and it does not accomplish the purpose for which it is intended. The purpose is to protect those servicemembers.

Mr. Chairman, I will tell you what this does is we don't even ask the servicemember if they want that person here. So if the person is a victim of domestic violence, escaping a spouse who is following them, there is no provision to even ask the spouse: Do you want this person to be living close to you that you are trying to escape?

It does not take into account any underlying crimes that that person may or may not have committed. Whether it is domestic violence, sexual battery, it puts the other servicemembers at risk when we don't.

Mr. Chairman, specifically, the memo provided that these relatives or anyone who has ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces for any period of time, with or without regard to whether the discharge was honorable or dishonorable, is eligible to receive parole on a categorical basis.

Mr. Chairman, we can't honor folks who have been dishonorably discharged. We are not honoring the rest of our soldiers when we honor just anyone.

In a 2013 meeting with the Obama administration, USCIS admitted that the servicemember is never contacted to determine whether he or she wants the unlawful aliens to receive parole in place.

It admitted there is no process in place to verify that the servicemember actually served in the Armed Forces.

The USCIS admitted that parole in place could be granted even if the servicemember was dishonorably discharged.

It admitted that the servicemember could have felony convictions and his or her immediate relatives would still be eligible for parole in place.

These felony convictions could be for domestic violence, sexual assault, all the things that we have come to despise and are trying to stamp out in our Armed Forces.

USCIS admitted that, even in cases of divorce, a servicemember's ex- spouse could be eligible for parole in place, and it admitted that unlawful alien relatives could still receive parole in place despite a past criminal record.

This amendment does not fix any of those issues and could allow a relative, even if estranged from a servicemember, to be granted parole.

Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I continue to oppose. Like I said, it is overly vague and broad. With the right words added to this, this could be something that works and that is helpful. But, in its current form, I can't support it.

Mr. Chair, I continue to ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no further speakers, so when the gentleman is ready to close, I am ready to close.

Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Takano, my friend from California, for entering this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I do continue to oppose this amendment. But with that I just ask that he look at making it a little more finite and making it a little less vague, and with that I could support this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to express concerns with the FY20 NDAA in its current form.

Specifically, I am concerned with the plan to cut $15 billion from the top line requested by the President and, more specifically, $1.2 billion from the President's request for military personnel accounts.

I spent 33 years in uniform serving the Nation but can't support this bill in its current form without changes to the amendment process. While it is true that personnel accounts have historically had money left over at the end of the year, several factors will likely make fiscal year 2020 different.

Over the last few years, there have been funds left over associated with the transition to the new military-blended retirement system because fewer servicemembers are opting into the new retirement system than expected. However, the opt-in period ends this year, so there will be no leftover funds related to this in FY 2020.

Also, in fiscal year 2019, the Army will likely fall short of its end strength goals by approximately 9,500 troops, which will result in excess funds for 2019 because fewer troops came into the Army. However, the Army is likely to meet their comparatively modest end strength goal of FY 2020, so there will likely be no excess funds relating to end strength.

Finally, the 3.1 percent automatic pay raise and the proposed increase in total force end strength means that personnel costs will increase, not go down.

In sum, there is likely to be no excess funding in the military personnel accounts in FY 2020.

In addition, given the provisions in this bill that would greatly restrict reprogramming authority, I am concerned that, if personnel accounts are underfunded, the Department may not have sufficient transfer authority to reprogram funds to fix it.

There are more important provisions in this bill, and I particularly want to thank Chairwoman Speier for her work in arriving at a bipartisan subcommittee mark. Specifically, the bill would provide important end strength increases and provide additional benefits for military spouses seeking employment.

In closing, I want to thank Ranking Member Thornberry and Chairman Smith for their leadership. I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to improve this bill which is so important for our troops and their families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and military service of World War II Veteran James E. Hudson. Mr. Hudson has always placed God and family first in his life, offering friendship and brotherly love to all those who crossed his path.

Mr. Hudson was born on June 21, 1919, in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. He spent his childhood in Iuka, MS with his parents, Milton and Florence Hudson, and his seven siblings. Mr. Hudson graduated from Iuka High School where he played on the basketball team.

Mr. Hudson was drafted to the United States Army right out of high school in 1941. He spent his basic training at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina before being sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, to serve in the First Calvary division, also known as the Horse Calvary, of the United States Army. Mr. Hudson was later deployed to the Pacific theater where he went to New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, the Southern Philippines, and Luzon for 2 years. He completed his service in 1945.

After the War, Mr. Hudson returned to Iuka, Mississippi where he still resides to this day. He married his sweetheart, Mae Romine from Florence, Alabama and they had four children. Mr. Hudson worked as a carpenter for TVA building dams on the Tennessee River. He has been blessed with thirteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Throughout his life and to this day, Mr. Hudson set an example for his children to follow. Mr. Hudson, a lifelong Christian, is a Methodist and attributes his 100 years of happiness to Psalm 118:24: ``This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad therein.''

On June 21st of 2019, Mr. Hudson will celebrate his 100th birthday. Mr. Hudson is an American patriot who served our great nation and continues to set an example for others to follow. We wish him many more years of good health.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Agnes Zaiontz, who passed away on Wednesday, May 29th at the age of 77.

Agnes, a resident of Columbus, Mississippi, was a long-time employee at the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Authority, serving as office manager. During her time with the Tenn-Tom Waterway, she assisted with the creation of a traveling Smithsonian exhibit at the Tenn-Tom Waterway Museum. The Waterway dedicated the exhibit to her naming it ``The Agnes Zaiontz Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Transportation Museum.'' When she was not at the office, Agnes was an active member of Annunciation Catholic Church.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Francis Zaiontz of Columbus, MS; her sons--Bobby Zaiontz and Frank Zaiontz, Jr.; her daughter--Cindy DeFelice of Olive Branch, MS; grandchildren--Patricia DeFelice, Emily DeFelice and Maddie Zaiontz; as well as her sisters-- Margie Walker, and Darcus Goodman.

Agnes's life was one of service, grace, love for her family, and community. She will be greatly missed by all who she encountered.