Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor Mr. Roberto Estrada.

Mr. Estrada was a beloved icon in the Las Cruces community and recently lost his life to pancreatic cancer at the age of 84.

Estrada learned how to press tortillas at the age of 15, and for decades, he shared his cooking talents with enthusiasm and made Whole Enchilada Fiesta a profound success. His famous tortillas and food products are popular across a wide variety of businesses in New Mexico.

From 2000 to 2010, Mr. Estrada held the Guinness World Record for the world's largest enchilada, which was the centerpiece at the annual Whole Enchilada Fiesta.

Apart from his cooking talents, Estrada was known for his humility, kindness, strong work ethic, and giving back to his community.

He donated much of his food and money to those who needed it the most. The Las Cruces community became a better place because of him.

As a testament to the impact Mr. Estrada made on his community, the Dona Ana County Commission declared Wednesday, September 1, as Roberto Estrada Day.

Estrada was a man of faith and family, a proud member of the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and the Las Cruces Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The Las Cruces Police Department honored Estrada's legacy, saying: ``The people who give you their food give you their heart.''

Estrada lived his life selflessly and improved the lives and livelihoods of countless others.

We mourn the loss of Mr. Roberto Estrada, honor his commitment serving others, and know that his legacy will be preserved forever.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. On that day, 19 al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four aircraft and claimed the lives of 2,974 people, shocking our nation and the world.

The devastation and destruction from that day was heartbreaking, but was swiftly overcome by American resilience following the attacks. Heroic first responders ran towards danger, risking their own lives to rescue victims, and their selfless fortitude will always be remembered. The brave passengers of Flight 93 prevented further tragedy by overwhelming terrorist hijackers; their courage saved countless American lives. Regardless of political party, race, or creed, the 9/11 attacks on our nation remind us of the unifying values that can bring Americans together on the darkest of days.

Today, I want to especially commend the work of the men and women responsible for the new 9/11 Memorial Monument in New Mexico. This community-sponsored Memorial Monument in the Village of Williamsburg was created by hardworking and dedicated New Mexicans to pay solemn tribute to those we lost on 9/11, and the heroes who rose amid the flames. Following the attacks, 42 of New Mexico's finest traveled across the country to assist in search and rescue operations; our country will forever be grateful for all first responders served their fellow Americans.

The tragedy of September 11th echoes to this day. Thousands of first responders, those who worked and lived in lower Manhattan, and crews that came in to clean up the rubble were exposed to toxic particles. By 2018, nearly 10,000 people were diagnosed with 9/11-related cancers. These heroes deserve to have the best of care, and I am thankful that President Trump extended the Victim Compensation Fund through 2092.

September 11th, 2001 will forever be remembered as ``Patriot Day,'' a National Day of Service and remembrance. I commend all the first responders, volunteers, and countless numbers of men and women who responded to this great tragedy and continue to pray for all families who lost their loved ones.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge Coach Bob Sepulveda. Bob is a 1954 graduate of Goodwell High School in Goodwell, Oklahoma, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He then attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University, earning his B.A. degree in History in 1958, while also lettering in football and track.

Bob's coaching career began in 1960 in Telluride, Colorado, where he served as head basketball and track coach and assistant baseball coach. His 1964 basketball team won the Mountain League District Class A Championship and placed second at the Western Colorado Regional Class A tournament. He also helped coach the 1964 Telluride High School baseball team that won the Class A State Championship.

Taking his coaching career on the road, Bob moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico, in 1964, where he coached both track and football for 32 years. In 1969 he was named head track coach and then head football coach in 1971.

During his 27 years as head track coach his teams won more medals for Alamogordo than any coach in its history.

19 District Championships, 5 State Championships, 1 second place finish, 5 third place finishes, 170 Invitational Track meet wins, and 102 first place medals at the State Track Meet showcase Bob's dedication to the team and the athletes.

Under Bob's coaching, several student athletes went on to become NCAA Champions, some establishing records that still stand today. Three of his athletes even went on to the Olympic trials.

If his record alone wasn't a testament to Bob's coaching abilities, he has also received numerous awards during his tenure at Alamogordo High School. He was selected as New Mexico Coach of the Year for boys track in 1982, 1991, and 1996 and received the NHSACA Region 8 Coach of the Year in 1982, 1991, and 1996. He was also named the NFSHSA Section 6 Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1996 and was also awarded, along with his wife Marilyn, the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Level IV Coaching Milestone ring in 1989 and was inducted into the Alamogordo Tiger Hall of Fame in 1988. He also served on the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Track and Field and Cross-Country Association and was the President of the Association from 1991 through 1992.

In a fitting act of recognition for his lifelong dedication and achievements, the Board of Education of the Alamogordo Public School District voted to name the Alamogordo High School Tiger Stadium Track in honor of Bob Sepulveda. A public celebration and official public christening will take place on September 3, 2021.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud original cosponsor and supporter of H.R. 4300, the VIP Act, offered by my friend from Iowa, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks.

This legislation would codify into Federal law an initiative put into place by the Trump administration last year that grants free passes to visit our national parks, national forests, and wildlife refuges to those who deserve them most, our Nation's Active-Duty servicemembers, veterans, and Gold Star families.

Our national parks and public lands are an essential part of our history and provide great recreational opportunities for the American people. Recreating in the most beautiful places our Nation has to offer brings needed healing and relaxation for those who have and still do put it all on the line to protect the freedoms each of us take for granted as Americans.

As a Member of this body from southern New Mexico, I have the privilege of representing two of the most iconic landmarks in the Nation, White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns. These irreplaceable components of the National Park System welcome thousands of visitors every year and provide a strong economic boost to their surrounding communities.

Providing greater access to our public lands, as this bill does, will only enhance economic opportunity for gateway communities that surround our public lands and provide even greater benefits for our Active-Duty servicemen, veterans, and Gold Star families.

This legislation enjoys the support of a wide cross-section of organizations representing all strains of political opinion and areas of interest, such as the National Association of Counties, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, and National Wildlife Federation.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation, and I once again congratulate and thank my colleague, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, for her hard work.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I missed these votes because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 192; NAY on Roll Call No. 193; YEA on Roll Call No. 194; NAY on Roll Call No. 195; NAY on Roll Call No. 196; NAY on Roll Call No. 197; NAY on Roll Call No. 198; NAY on Roll Call No. 199; NAY on Roll Call No. 200; NAY on Roll Call No. 201; YEA on Roll Call No. 202; NAY on Roll Call No. 203; and YEA on Roll Call No. 204.

Mr. Speaker, if the previous question is defeated, we will amend the rule to immediately consider my bill, H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, which will preserve and protect Title 42 health restrictions at the border.

The border is in flames, and this crisis is cruel, it is costly, and it is cowardice.

Biden's border crisis is harming my constituents and all Americans. The ranchers and the people who live in and around the border cannot let their children play outside for fear of cartel gunmen. In the past, people along the border, on the American side, in my district, have been held at gunpoint. They have had vehicles stolen. Some have even been kidnapped.

The first duty of our Nation is to defend its border and its people. President Biden has been derelict in this duty, whether it be from the pandemic that continues or the violent criminals that cross our border in the dark of night.

Sheriffs are reaching out to me. Just like the Border Patrol, they, too, are overwhelmed. They are seizing record amounts of drugs, guns, smuggled people, and untold numbers of other illicit materials are getting past them, all because President Biden has put politics over the American people.

President Obama's Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, stated that 1,000 migrants a day was a crisis. Just in May, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered 180,034 illegal immigrants along the southwest border, a 20-year monthly high. That amounts to 5,807 illegal immigrants per day in May. This is a crisis nearly six times greater than the threshold established by President Obama's Secretary of Homeland Security.

Title 42 is the only major Trump-era border policy left in place under the administration. It allows the Border Patrol to quickly expel illegal immigrants, sending them back across the border, instead of placing them in congregate facilities where outbreaks of COVID-19 and other variants are all but guaranteed.

Ending Title 42 would turn what is already a crisis into an unmitigated, uncontrollable, and undeniable catastrophe.

The pandemic continues to rage in Latin America. And Guatemala and Brazil are both currently around 90 percent of their peak weekly infection rates. And in the past months, CBP has encountered more than 170,000 migrants from those two countries alone.

Ending Title 42 now, while fewer than half of the American citizens are fully vaccinated, sends the message that all illegal immigration is more important than protecting Americans.

Despite the fact that Biden wants to let a flood of illegal immigrants into our country, he clearly believes a public health emergency still exists. President Biden has placed several COVID-19 travel bans on dozens of countries. And these bans remain in place, indicating he thinks the public health emergency is ongoing.

Speaker Pelosi has extended proxy voting in the House, stating there is an ongoing public health emergency due to COVID.

Mr. Speaker, if Vice President Harris had taken the time to listen to my constituents last week, instead of just talking to immigration activists at the El Paso airport, this administration would learn the effects of their failed

policies on our border communities. That is why I invited her twice to visit my district.

If she had cared to respond, she could have heard from the farmers, ranchers, community leaders, and residents of our border communities. She could have heard how the crisis is different between the gaps in the border wall than it is in major cities like El Paso. And she could have heard from the five county sheriffs in my district who wrote to me in support of keeping Title 42 in place.

This crisis is a double threat and places the security of our Nation and the safety of the American people at risk.

At minimum, however, we need to keep the last administration's appropriate use of Title 42 in place. That is what we could do today, if the previous question is defeated.

We must preserve Title 42 border restrictions until all local, State, and Federal Government restrictions end; until all State and Federal public health emergencies end; and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--CDC--COVID-19 travel risk levels for Canada and Mexico have been reduced to Level 1.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question. Please don't make the American people pay for the mistakes made at our border because of the failed policies of this administration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Laura Garcia for being named Teacher of the Year by the New Mexico Association of Nonpublic Schools.

Throughout her 12-year career at Gateway Christian School in Roswell, Laura has been instrumental in educating many students and instilling in them the importance of service before self.

I applaud Laura for her working hard every day to build up our future leaders and give them the confidence and values they need to find their own success. Mr. Speaker, I thank Laura for her dedication to her students and her diligence in her work.

Our teachers are crucial in the transfer of knowledge and wisdom to future generations. Great teachers like Laura build strong leaders and strong character. An educated nation is a knowledgeable nation, and a knowledgeable

nation is a powerful one. We owe a great debt to all of the great educators like Laura in our country, as they are the ones who will ensure that the next generation is equipped to take up the mantle of leadership when their time comes.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Laura on winning this award. New Mexicans are grateful for Laura's service to her community and her work to educate the next generation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise also in strong opposition to this resolution, as it is yet another attempt by my Democratic colleagues to nickel and dime the most essential industry in my district out of business.

The energy policies of the Biden administration have been a complete and utter disaster. American jobs are being lost and gas prices are soaring due to a retreat from the policies of the Trump administration that created American energy dominance.

Small and midsize oil and gas producers employ tens of thousands of New Mexicans and contribute millions of dollars in revenues to my State's budget. These essential businesses are the ones that will be most negatively impacted by the passage of this resolution.

Small and midsize producers are already under attack by the ban on new oil and gas leases on Federal lands put in place by this administration, which a Federal judge ruled to be illegal just last week.

Instead of approving foreign pipelines and implementing duplicative and costly regulations, which strengthen the hands of our enemies, this administration and this House should be focused on creating jobs here at home and lowering energy costs for all Americans.

I, and many other of my Republican colleagues, have put forward commonsense pieces of legislation to ensure economic and environmental sustainability for our constituents. This legislation does just the opposite.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to oppose this legislation and to join us on this side of the aisle in fighting to continue the American energy dominance agenda of the previous administration that resulted in a cleaner environment and a vibrant economy.

Mr. Speaker, this week I received a letter and these photos, in fact, more photos than just this, from a constituent. The photos were taken on his ranch at 5 a.m. earlier this week from a game camera about 15 miles north of the border.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Russell Johnson dated June 13, 2021, and I would like to read a few excerpts from the letter.

``When President Biden signed the proclamation ending border wall construction, we saw a dramatic increase in illegal foot traffic through our ranch.''

I can no longer allow my children to play outside unless an

adult is with them to monitor the areas around them. People

who have dropped out of groups crossing have stopped at my

house wanting to use the phone, WiFi, and call their

smuggler. This is very concerning, as often my wife is at

home alone with our children, and I am hours away working on

the ranch. These people are desperate. And it is only a

matter of time before someone gets hurt.

Now, Mr. Speaker, the border in New Mexico is not like the other borders in cities around El Paso or the ports of entry, here there is a huge difference.

June 13, 2021.

Representative Herrell, My name is Russell Johnson. I am a

fourth-generation cattle rancher in southern Luna County. I

ranch along side my wife, two children, my father, and my

mother. Our ranch borders the international boundary with

Mexico for a little over 8 miles. My family has ranched on

this same piece of land since 1918. What we are experiencing

on the border today is not only a risk to my family, but our

state and this nation.

When President Biden signed the proclamation ending border

wall construction, we saw a dramatic increase in illegal foot

traffic through our ranch. There now exists a gap in the wall

that separates the United States from Mexico on our ranch. It

is approximately 3/4-mile wide along with a border monument

access gate that was not installed leaving a gap about 12

feet wide. Not only did President Biden's proclamation end

the construction of the physical barrier, but it also stopped

all other infrastructure and technology that was to go with

it. Improved access roads for Border Patrol, lighting, sensor

technology and camera systems were all part of the project

that was abruptly ended. The situation at the border has

progressively worsened because of this decision. Talking with

local Border Patrol Agents, group size in our area has gone

from four to six people in a group, to now being upwards of

twenty. This is all crossing and passing through not only my

property, but our homes and business.

I can no longer allow my children to play outside unless an

adult is with them to monitor the areas around them. People

who have dropped out of groups crossing have stopped at my

house wanting to use the phone or have access to my Wi-Fi to

call their smuggler. This is very concerning as often my wife

is at home alone with our children and I am hours away

working on the ranch. These people are desperate. It's only a

matter of time before our home is broken into.

The increase in traffic is also affecting our business.

Much of southern New Mexico is suffering a D4 drought. We are

having to supplement our cattle to get to the monsoon season.

This hardship is being compounded by the people crossing the

border illegally. Currently, we have decent natural grasses

in the pasture bordering Mexico. Our cattle are not utilizing

this rangeland properly because they are constantly getting

spooked by the people crossing. This is pushing them into

drier areas with not enough suitable feed for them to

consume. The cattle are also susceptible to contracting

stress induced illnesses like Pasteurella Pneumonia from

constantly being run off. We have experienced this before

under similar border conditions. If not treated quickly,

cattle can die within 48 hours. We are experiencing this not

only on parts of the ranch that border Mexico, but further

north as well.

Our day-to-day operations have been negatively impacted. We

now try to work in pairs at a minimum. With no cellphone

service in our area, it is safer to work with someone with

you, so you have somebody to watch your back. This slows our

work progress down and increases the length of time it takes

to get tasks down.

On June 4, 2021, my father and I encountered four groups of

illegal immigrants on our ranch totaling well over 30

individuals. Border Patrol was able to apprehend all four

groups, but they told me something that I found very

troubling. They said that there were only eight agents in the

field that evening. Deming Border Patrol Station is

responsible for the area we live in. The station's area of

responsibility includes well over 60 miles of border. Eight

agents were expected to cover all of that during their shift.

This does not make for a very secure border. Encountering

groups crossing and a lack of manpower in the field is

becoming the norm. The Patrol Agent in Charge at the Deming

Border Patrol Station told us that they are averaging 650

apprehensions a week. These are apprehensions, they do not

include the people that are successfully making their illegal

entry.

It is important to note that we do not have unaccompanied

minors or family groups crossing through our area. They are

all young, adult males in good physical shape. All the people

I have encountered are wearing full camouflage, to include

face coverings and carpet or sponge booties on their feet.

These people are not turning themselves in, they do not want

to be caught.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have

experienced issues regarding the border. What differs this

time from others is that our government is not trying to do

anything to resolve the issue. I feel like as a citizen of

this country, I do not matter in the eyes of our government.

The State of Texas has declared a state of emergency in many

if not all its counties that border Mexico. Texas is doing

this because the Federal Government is not addressing the

issue. Enough pressure will be put on the Texas border that

New Mexico will see an even larger increase in illegal

traffic as it will be pushed west. This bothers me greatly.

I am writing you today to make you aware of the situation

on the border in our area and to ask for help. Border Patrol

manpower is strained, and our local law enforcement is

stretched thin. Ideally, the border wall and all

infrastructure and technology need completed. In the

meantime, we desperately need more boots on the ground to

help with this surge in illegal traffic. We also need better

cellphone coverage in these remote areas. Not being able to

call for law enforcement or emergency service is a huge

safety concern. Last, but certainly not least, we need help

getting this administration to address the border crisis.

Thank you for your attention to these matters.

Respectfully,

Russell Johnson.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentlewoman from New Mexico, the Honorable Melanie Ann Stansbury, be permitted to take the oath of office today.

Her certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to her election.

Madam Speaker, I have the distinct honor to rise today as the dean of our delegation to introduce the newest Member of the House of Representatives from New Mexico's First Congressional District: Melanie Stansbury.

Melanie was born in Farmington and grew up in the North Valley and west side of Albuquerque. She is from a hardworking family that typifies millions of New Mexicans. Melanie's mother supported her family as a seamstress and heavy equipment operator. Her family owned a landscaping and irrigation business, where she worked growing up.

After graduating from Cibola High School, she attended St. Mary's College in California and went on to graduate studies at Cornell University. She came home and served our State as a science instructor through the Museum of Natural History, visiting schools across the State.

Before she was elected to office, Melanie served our Nation here in Washington at the Office of Management and Budget, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Congresswoman Stansbury has been shown to be a dedicated public servant, and I know she does not take her new role lightly. I pray that God will guide her in her decisions, strengthen her during trials, and bless all of us in public service with wisdom and grace.

Today, please help me welcome the newest Member of the House from the Land of Enchantment, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury.

Madam Speaker, in 1942, Dan McBride enlisted as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. Sergeant Dan McBride is an American hero from New Mexico.

Assigned to Fox Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, Dan's job was a new modernization in military tactics. Paratroopers jumped out of perfectly good airplanes to parachute behind enemy lines.

On June 6, 1944, Dan jumped into Normandy on D-day as part of Operation Overlord. There he earned his first Purple Heart.

On September 17, 1944, Dan jumped into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. There he earned his second Purple Heart.

In December of 1944, Dan and the 101st Airborne made their way to Bastogne, Belgium, where they held off a desperate push by the Germans in temperatures well below zero, with no winter clothes. The Battle of the Bulge is where Dan earned his third Purple Heart.

His actions did not go overlooked. Amongst the multitude of medals he was awarded, Dan and his fellow paratroopers, Dick Kline and James Martin, were featured in the book ``Three of the Last Screaming Eagles.''

That book has now been made into a documentary film called ``A Rendezvous with Destiny,'' which premieres on May 29 in Columbus, Ohio, at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

We owe so much to our World War II veterans, of whom we have fewer every day. I am so proud of Sergeant McBride. I can't think of a better way to honor his legacy than by immortalizing his story on film.

Mr. Speaker, Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. This Police Week, we want to thank the more than 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers for their service, and we want to thank their families.

During Police Week, we also remember the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers. Since 1786, when the first police death was recorded in the U.S., more than 22,000 officers have been killed in the line of duty.

In my home State of New Mexico, 160 police officers have died in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute and let our police officers know how much we appreciate them and their service to our communities, our State, and our Nation. We just want to celebrate this Police Week with them and wish them Godspeed and say a prayer to keep them out of harm's way.

Madam Speaker, I find the name of this bill, the American Dream and Promise Act, to be quite a nightmare because while this may be a bill that will help some, it destroys the dreams of the American children.

The contradiction and the hypocrisy in this entire bill can be summed up in this way: I have heard over and over, Madam Speaker, these Dreamers are frontline workers; they have been in harm's way; they have helped with this pandemic. Yet, we are going to open the border and allow people into our country that do not have a COVID test. We are putting our Dreamers in harm's way. I find the hypocrisy of this bill somewhat puzzling.

But I also want to point out that this bill allows those convicted of dangerous crimes, including MS-13 and other gang members, to receive a green card by including the following exceptions if the applicants with multiple misdemeanor convictions, even if the crime was violent or resulted in death or bodily injury, they can still get a green card. It will not take into account violent crimes committed as a juvenile when adjudicating the application.

I strongly urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.

Madam Speaker, I missed this vote because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 84.