March 12, 2024. I hereby appoint the honorable debbie lesko to act as speaker pro tpore on this day. Signed m johnson speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house ofuary 9 2024, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitty the majority and minority leaders for morningour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with time equally allocated between t parties and each member other than the majority and minority leade and the minority whip limited to five nutes. But in no event shall continue beyond 11 50. M. The chair recognizes the ntleman from new mexico,. Vasquez, for five minutes. Mr. Vasquez thankou, madam speaker. I rise today to pay tributeo a remarkable leader and cherished member of my district and the communy from the vlage of hatch, the chili capital of the james slim which the lock. Last whitlock. Last year i had the prilege of meeting mayor whitlock. It becamevident that slim wasnt just a mayor. Was a family man a community meer and dedicated Public Servant of the people. Hisassion for h dents raise residen radiated through everyere a his dedication to the wellbeing of h truly commendable. Slims impact reachedar bey th duties of his office. He was a pillar of strength during celrations, a comforting presence iimes of need and a beacon of positivity with a smile that could light up a room. The phrase doing extra good embodied his vues, reflecting a man who consistently went above and beyond for his community. As we mourn the loss o mayor slim whitloc let us remember him not only as a leader but as a sbol ofelflesess and votion. The love he had for his community was resip could red reciprocad, creating a bond that wl forever endure in the hearts of t pple he served. Y his lacy inspire us to continue theork he srted. Mayor, you will be missed mr. Speer i rise tay to emphasize the critical impoance of federally qualified hea centers especial in Rural Communities like mine. I had the privilege of visiting one in my district andryorand high schools and rio grande high schoos schoolbased health center. Th are lifelines for countless new otherwise lack access to essentl health care services. Federally qualified Health Centers not only pvide primary care but also offer mental alth prentive care. They address the holistic needs of our commuties. However, Health Centers fac significant challenges, rt areas where o in five rural new mexica faceerious issues accessing health care. Thats w stand as a cosponsor of h. R. 834. The rural physician work force production act. This legislation aims to system by incentivizing the training and placement ofhysicians in undeerved areas. By vifnting in healthenters d suprting initiatives like the rural phycian work force production act, we can eure that all new mexicans, regardless of theirip code have access to the qty alth care that they deserve. We must poritize a heah and wellbei of our rural commities by adequately fuing these vital centers. Madampeaker, thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair recognizes thegentleman from tas for five mississippi. Mr. Arr thank you, madam speaker. Last week the president stood in this chamber and declaredhe state of the union isat our lives are better. Fo the sake of our count i wish that were so. Butt couldnt be further fm the truth. Afr three years of one seinflicted disaster afteranother, border, crime spree cost of living crisis, a more destabilized and dangerousor cause ofhe weakns, the weak posture the effectless foreign feckless foreign policies were supposed to lieve somehow thatife is better in america. President biden wasnt able to suspend reality even in a state of the union speech. Why . Because the American People know better. Th know that under the reckless spendin andailed policies of thi president their country has become weaker and more v abroad. And if you thi tha the ste of the union speech was disconnected from reality and the needs of the American People read his budget. He just introduced it yesterday in the m spendinginduced inflaon Interest Rates and the cost of living thats crushing wng families in a comaj aisle and uncertain fraj child and uncertain frale andn economicuture for the American People, the slide toward socialism the slide ward sovereign debt crisis, heres his answer. Double down on the borrowing and the speing a the taxing. In fact, his budget proses the highest sustained levels o spending borrowing and taxing in theistoryf the United States of ameca. Adding 16 trillion to the deb over 10 years 5 tllion from hardworking attempt to pay for i taxes on energy and ag producers taxes on wking families, taxes our job creators who are competing not jus here at home but on inationa marketplace. D then he expands mandatory spending. You have to understd thawe have 75 of our auto spend. Thats the driver of the debt. If we dont rein in mandatory ending and grow this economy well ner get out of this dangerous and unsustainab fiscal path that will end with irrerable rm to this end wit our children being robbed of the freedom and their oortunies. It will upend the republic and our leadership in the world the wholeorld order will change and china wont have to fire a single shot, ladies and gentlemen. But he eands mandatory spending. Becae he wants mor climate subsidies and clean energy, green energy, tax giveaways to corporations. Its more cradle to grave welfare without work, trappingmore people in dependence on government. And generations in poverty. This is his vision for america. Thing thats not in there is any consiration for this current fragile economy or our childrens futurd im concerned as the budget chr of the united stas Budget Committee im concerned as a family man withhree children whore hoping to have the American Experience tt wevead. Listrward their budget, their blueprint tt wouldut this nation on a path to balance instead of adding the 16 trillion in debtver 10 years we take that debt away. We reduce trillions of dollars debt,e rede oebt to g. D. P. Which by the way ishighest indebtedness the historyf o count surpassingorld war ii. When we were fighting imperial nazi germany. Wee in relative peace and prosperity and we have higher indebtedness that we did in thane did in world war ii and its going toet exponentially worse. today our debt is 25 higher than the tal economic output of the greatest and bigge most robust economy inhe world. Be twice that in 30 years. 120 trillion on top ofhe 34 trillion dt that were i now. Now, if you can lookt those c. B. O. Projections if you c look a the uunded liabilities 30 years in the future a not shouer to your core for the fure of you country then youre not reading fro same documents im readirom. My time bass to expire. I say this. Look at then bidens budget and the reblican budget. He ss show me your budget ill show you your priories. Look at his priorits. And look at ours. And i thi youll understand we choose econoc freom and fiscal responsibility and a bright fure for our children. God bless america at texas. The speaker pro tempore the chair now recognizes the gentleman from maryland, mrho for five minutes. Mr. Hoyer madam saker i rise dayn storeo sorrow. One that seres me not only as a member of member of congress c not only as a supporter of the state of israel and its people, not only as an american, but as a parent. Since october 7, ive become close with ruby and haiget hen. Theyre the etai hen, a brave american who was serving in the i. D. F. When he was taken hostage by hamas on october 7. When last i saw ruby and the other families of the american hostages held in gaza, less than a week ago i repeated the refrain, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee. Sadly, ladies and gentlemen of this house, we know that bell tolls just this morning intelligence American Peopled indicating that short emerged indicating that shortly after hamas took etai hostage on october 7, they executed him. An unarmed defenseless hostage. It was an act of supreme cowardice, terror, murder. Theirs was a crime that violates every International Law every rule of war every moral ideal and every principle of basic human decency. His murder satisfied only one tenant. The one hamas laid out in its own charter. Which states that their terrorist organization was put on the earth to, quote, fight and kill them. And to eliminate israel. These terrorists robbed etai of his future. He was only 19 years of age. They robbed roy and elan of their brother. They robbed our nation of a great american. A young american. An idealistic american. An american who loved his country, the United States of america, and loved his familys homeland israel. Crucially they robbed our world of a generous soul. Madam speaker theres no sequence of words, no order of syllables that language that can dull the pain that etais family feels this hour. But they ought to know that our commitment to secure their sons return is unbreakable. We will not yield until we have recovered his remains for his family cannot put him to rest and sit shiva until his body is returned. And we will not relent, madam speaker, until we get every last hostage returned home. Madam speaker, i wish etais family this terrible loss, the strength they have shown throughout this grueling you have met his mother and maybe his aunt. Indeed the bell tolls for them and their son today. But it tolls for all of us. All of us who are vulnerable to the acts of terrorists and murderers and those without conscience. May the hands take comfort in knowing that bells peel resonates in the heart of every person who cherishes the human decency, currently and generosity that etai displayed. May etais memory be a blessing. Back. Madam speaker during president ion address, we saw a desperate attempt to jumpstart a failing presidency. After three years of weak ande leadership ineffective leadership, the American People continue to suffer under soaring inflation increased crime and a wideopen southern border. Mr. Joyce now is not the time for more empty promises from a president who is unable to deliver. It is time to address these challenges headon by cutting back on spending, like giving Law Enforcement the tools that they need and returning to border policies that keep our nation safe. 3. 2 in the month of february alone. This consistent inflation is continuing to force American Families to make difficult decisions about what they cant afford and what they can afford. Right now a gallon of gas in Mifflin County pennsylvania, cost 3. 66. Instead of addressing these prices, President Biden has continued to attack American Energy producers stifling new development and making it more difficult to open new refinery refineries. Energy prices now cost americans over year than when joe biden first took office. It is clear that the president s failed policies are to blame for the skyrocketing costs of gas oil, and electricity. It is time to rein in these run away prices by underneath the feet of my constituents. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Nickel, for five minutes. Mr. Nickel thank speaker. On saturday, President Biden signed a government funding package into law. This bipartisan slate of bills wi make meaningful investments in federal programs that north carolinianss rely on. It will help lower the cost of living, create good jobs, and grow our local economy. Im particularly proud to have secured over 14 million in federal dollars for 15 Community Supported projects throughout North Carolinas 13th district. This will go a long way in getting local priorities moving and im proud to have gotten this funding across the finish line. For transportation infrastructure, i secured nearly 1. 8 million for two different projects. This funding will help go triangle purchase 16 zero emission vehicles and will also allow the city of raleigh to make street scape improvements and enhance connectivity and Public Safety on taborough road. For economicsecured 2. 2 million for three different projects. This funding will help the i95, i40 crossroads of America EconomicDevelopment Alliance complete an advanced manufacturing and biotech training center. Getting north carolinians back to work. It will help the city of goldsboro to dispose of the herman Park Building closed due to contamination issues and safety concerns. It will help make the town of garner with the partial removal of a deteriorated dam and facilitate a lake and stream Improvement Project at meadow brook park. For Water Infrastructure, i secured nearly 7. 3 million for six different projects. This will help the city of raleigh to install storm Water Infrastructure within the cottages of idle wild, and bring the project closer to completion. It will help the town of apex to complete a sewer interconnection project which will reduce maintenance public utilities. The town of benson to make pipe repairs and water system upgrades as part of the improvement plan. The town of cary to improve storm Water Management and Water Quality in the walnut creek water shed. It will help the town purchase a new one million gallon elevated water stock tank to improve and the town of Holly Springs to make Water Infrastructure improvement, a water conveyance system so needed. For publicred 1. 3 million for three different projects t will help wake county purchase body corn cameras radar, and other upgrades for the wake county Sheriffs Office. The town of smithfield to purchase body cameras and more data storage resources. It will town of selma Purchase Police equipment. And folks, in the fight for justice, body cameras arent just accessoryies they are tools of accountability. For agriculture i secured nearly 1. 5 million for n. C. State to continue corn and Soybean Research at the Crops Research station. I came to congress to get things done. This funding will alleviate the burden and expense on our local cities and towns. And get these projects closer to the finish line by putting our federal dollars to good use in north work across the aisle to find solutions and deliver for the people of North Carolinas 13th district. Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair now recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania mr. Thompson, for five minutes. Mr. Thompson thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, i rise today to recognize darlene everyhart of sent a county, pennsylvania. I had the privilege of meeting with her last week while she was in washington, d. C. For the National Agricultures promise forum. She is a junior at State CollegeArea High School and currently representing pennsylvania for the National Young farmers Education Association. Her passion for agriculture started at a young age. She grew up going to her grandparents farm for tours before heading to school. As a member of the little lions f. F. A. Chapter and 4h she advocates for a agriculture education on a wider level. Encouraging educators to include education in classrooms. In december, jay lean was one of two High School Students in pennsylvania compete at the National Young farmers Education Association institute and Agriculture Communications competition in College Station texas. Texas a m university. The Association Works with local f. F. A. Chapters and 4h associations to help raise the next generation of agriculture leaders and advocates. During the event she attendeducational tours to learn about the variety of agricultural opportunities and what Texas Agriculture is all about and competed in a variety of agriculture advocacy and communication competitions against college and High School Students from across the country country. She played first in the agriculture expressions contest which consisted of a 500word essay on a current agricultural topic. Personal biography and released statement for publication. She also participated in the Agriculture Communications contest. Social media posts, radio tv, and news print submissions throughout the week to exemplify the impact in education of the institute. Madam speaker, as chairman of the House Committee on agriculture, i take great pride in meeting with our next generation of leaders. Jalene has had an incredibly bright pew future ahead of her inspiration to other Young Farmers looking to get involved. Without students like her who have such a passion for the agriculture future food supply. Im also looking for ways to lift the voices of her generation in congress. Encourage our next leaders. We must encourage the participation in the agriculture industry. Madam speaker, ion jalene on her accomplishments that are truly outstanding shes a talented young lady. I look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish for the Agriculture Community and beyond. Thank you, madam speaker. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair now recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Peters for five minutes. Mr. Peters i rise once again to address what could very well be one the greatest ongoing environmental disasters in the United States. Im referring to the billions of gallons of raw sewage industrial waste, and other pollutants that flow down the Tijuana River and into san diegos coastal waters. These flows sicken our communities. Shutter our local businesses. Harm our Tourism Industry industry endanger wildlife. And threaten our Service Members and Border Patrol agents stationed in san diego. Just last month researchers at San Diego State university released a report that shows that this pollution also poses a Massive Public health threat. The studies they cite reveal extremely troubling findings like the fact that cancer causing chemicals banned in the United States decades ago including d. D. T. And b. C. B. s have been found in the soil. Waterborne contaminants include viruses like cards cov2, listeria, help b and c and pathogents carrying antibiotic resistant genes. The study of bottle nosed dolphins who have been stranded and died, they die interested sepsis, caused water contaminateed by feesies, this is the same water our troops train in and our kids swim in. Avoidling the water alone will not make you safe. Air quality monitors that mr. Recently installed in the region have confirmed what residents have known for years that the air itself is also polluted. Sewage that washes up on land dries, sending Dangerous Levels of Hydrogen Sulfite into the air around peoples homes. The solution is simple. The United States owns and operates a Wastewater Treatment plant on our side of the border thatas been maintained. It is in desperate need of repair, and expansion, to handle the flows. President included 310 million in his supplemental funding request that would make those repairs and upgrades possible. This is a small price to pay for the health of our community, our brave Service Members, and our environment. Many of the communities hit hardest by this pollution are lowincome communities of color. I cant help but think if this was happening somewhere that wasnt 3,000 miles from here, like the Chesapeake Bay or even the great lakes, this would have been taken care of long ago. We know that mexico must also do its part much of their infrastructure has also fallen in disrepair. The good news is that mexico is bound by a treaty we signed in san diego in 2022, to spend nearly 150 million to fix their treatment plant. And mexico, to its credit, has made Great Strides in the last year. They have repaired and key infrastructure like sewage pipes that redirect the contaminated water. And they have Broken Ground on a new Wastewater Treatment plant. Madam speake this is a public health, business and National Security disaster. The more we delay in addressing cross border pollution, the more costly and difficult it will be to fix. I urge my colleagues to support this funding and ask the congressional leadership and appropriators include this funding in any upcoming spending package. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas mr. Babin, for five minutes. Mr. Babin thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to honor the distinguished career of longtime texas lawman, constituent, and good friend texas ranger robton best. On february 29 2024, he hung up his signature stetson cowboy hat and he unpinned the legendary Texas Rangers cinco peso badge for the last time. Brandon is a nativ kirbyville texas graduating from Kirbyville High School in 1990. He earned a degree in criminal stice from Kilgore College before attending the east texas police academy. After he graduated from the academy, he served as a patrolman for the Henderson Police department and as a deputy in the russ county Sheriffs Office n1995 brandon joined the Texas Department of Public Safety where he served as a Highway Patrol trooper from 1995 to 2005. As a Sergeant Special agent in criminal intelligence from 2005 to 2013. In july, he joined the prestigious Texas Rangers, the oldest Law Enforcement organization on the north american continent. Statewide jurisdiction. Since april, 2021 he has served as the unsolved Crimes Investigation program cold case ranger for Texas Ranger Company a. Encompassing 35 Southeast Texas counties where hes done a marvelous job. Orked for the Ranger Division during his distinguished career. He perfected the use of d. N. A. Tracing and other cutting Edge Technologies to bring multiple criminals finally to justice. Often many years after the case was considered cold. It has been a great cutting through the federal bureaucracy in several of these cases. Brandon married his way of, mary betting, on march mary beth, on march 13, 1999. Together they share children, Marshall Walker and maddie. The best family are active members of the Methodist Church where brandon has served as a sunday School Teacher on multiple currently chairs the churchs board of stewards. Additionally, he is a cancer survivor and a veteran of the United States army reserve and the Texas Army National guard. Madam speaker, in its 200year history, only the very finest Law Enforcement officers have had the great honor of calling themselves Texas Rangers. I am proud that Ranger Brandon best is among those. I wish him, mary beth, and their families all of the very best in their next chapter of their lives and look forward to working with them in the future as well. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the ge from massachusetts, mr. Lynch, for five minutes. Mr. Lynch thank you. Good morning, madam speaker. Madam speaker, as a member of the subcommittee on National Security, i rise in strong support of our International Ally ukraine. And the more than 37 million to defend their independence in the face of more than two years of statesponsored terrorism at the hands of Vladimir Putins russia. In submitting his annual budget request to Congress Just yesterday, President Biden again appealed for immediate emergency funding for ukraine. A request the Administration First made back in october of 2023. According to the president absent congressional action on this emergency request, the United States will not be able to continue to provide support to ukraine to meet their battlefield needs as they defend against russias attacks each and every day. Ukrainian armed forces are already enduring direct impact of this congressional impasse on ukraine aid. While ukraine is dropping guided bombs on excuse me, while russia is dropping guided bombs on ukraines positions and firing 10,000 artillery shells per day, ukrainian soldiers on the front lines have been left to ration munitions and other critical supplies. That the past several weeks have witnessed the fall of the strategic ukrainian city and advances in eastern ukraine. Only through their steadfast will and courage have the ukrainian people been able to effectively resist the brutal russian onslaught. Beyond the battlefield, the United Nations and the world bank recently estimated that the total cost of re in ukraine and recovery after two years of war now stands at almost 500 billion. Attacks against ukraines civilian Population Centers have caused devastation and loss of life, damage across several critical areas including the Housing Energy and transportation sectors. Moreover nearly 40 of the ukrainian populationost 15 million people, are in dire need of basic humanitarian assistance. Last month the u. S. Senate overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan National Security funding bill that includes more than 62 billion in security and humanitarian assistance for ukraine. Inexplicably the House Republican leadership has refused to consider this legislation, even though i believe a ma jorpt of members have majority of members have indicated that they would vote for it. The House Republican leadership is also sitting on Bipartisan Legislation that would provide President Biden with the authority to confiscate and tr assets to ukraine for its reconstruction. The bill would also establish an International Framework to facilitate the transfer of russian assets frozen in other western countries. In total 300 billion worthforeign holdings that russia stashed across the globe could immediately be diverted to support the ukrainian people. Importantly, President Biden and his administration have already expressed support for this transfer of funding. As underscored by treasury secretary Janet Yellens statement to the g20 World Leaders last month that, quote this would be a decisive response to russias unprecedented threat to global ab continued resistance and longterm reconstruction. Theres also precedent for action, madam speaker. In 2023 the 2003 the u. S. Seized 1. 7 billion in frozen Iraqi Government assets under Saddam Hussein and transferred those fund towards the benefit of the iraqi people. Madam speaker, Vladimir Putin once said that quote, the borders of russia do not end end quote. He recently threatened the destruction of civilization and warned nato countries that the consequences for potential interventionists will be much more tragic. Closed quote. I strongly urge the House Republican leadership to act o too late for the ukrainian people. U. S. National security and our Democratic Alliance around the world hang in the balance. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair now recognizes the gentleman from tennessee mr. Rose, for five minutes. Mr. Rose madam week the president gave a Campaign Kickoff speech on the house floor, massacre aiding as the state of the masquerading as the state of the Union Address. Over the weekend, the Mainstream Media praised the president s speech, although the speech failed to address the skyrocketing crime impacting our cities our overrun southern border making every town in tennessee a border town, and rapidly Rising Energy and grocery costs. The only thing the president did do following the speech was apologize to an accused murderer. Its a shame that the president of the United States took the time out of his day to say that he regretted calling an illegal immigrant an accused murderer an and accused murderer an inlegal. The president continues to em an illegal. The president continues to embarrass not only himself but when he cowers to the extremely far left base of his party in an attempt not to offend an illegal immigrant who allegedly murdered a u. S. Citizen. Instead of this embarrassing graveling and apologetic display of regret, the president should have taken the time over this weekend to call the family of laken riley, the murdered victim whose name, not on his teleprompter he misstated during his Campaign Speech on the house floor. Im sure there were many others he could have called and apologized to openborder policies that have allowed massive amounts of fentanyl into our country leading to the death of of americans. Unfortunately an apology wont bring those lives back. Even when presented with a solution to the president s selfcreated and selfinflicted border crisis, he has denied it. House republicans like myself passed h. R. 2, the secure the border act of 2023, almost 10 months ago, which would enact the strongest measures our country has ever seen. This was in direct response to the border crisis caused by the president s disastrous decision to end the remain in mexico policy to end title 42, to end border wall construction abuse parole authority. Madam speaker, we can only hope that the president s state of the Union Address was the last of his tenure as president of the United States. Because the tennesseans i represent cannot afford another four years of theastrophes caused by this president and his administration. Theyd much rather have a secure border, strong National Security and a living so that they can enjoy the lives as god intended them to do. Its because of this and many other examples that are far too many to mention in one fiveminute speech that we must denounce these policy, madam speaker. Thats why i urge members on both sides of the aisle to join me in voting for House Resolution 1065, introduced by the gent texas who delivered, frankly a phenomenal rebut al speech rebuttal speech in spanish that denounced the biden administrations feckless immigration policies. House resolution 1065s President Biden and his administration for their disastrous open border policies and holds them accountable for creating the worst Border Security crisis in u. S. History. Madam speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina, mr. Davis for five minutes. Mr. Davis thank you, madam speaker. On the morning of october 7 2023 keith siegel and his wife were abductedded from their home abducted from their home during the hamas terrorist attacks. Aviva was later but keith, a native of North Carolina remains in hamas captivity. As one of six Americans Still being held hostage, siegel family members attended this years state of the union at the invitation of North Carolina senators tom tillis and ted budd. I gladly join in to advocate for keiths release. As a nation, we must stand united in our resolve to defeat hamas and ensure the safe release of all hostages. We will not rest until keith and all the hostages are reunited with their families. Thank you, madam speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia, mr. Clayne, for five mr. Cline, for five minutes. Mr. Cline i thank the chair. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to shine a spotlight on the s of the Shenandoah Valley short circuits from virginias sixth district. These driven students formed a club which has now gained International Acclaim at the electric vehicle grand prix in abu dhabi. Thanks to local support and a grant funded kit, these hardworking students emerged victorious in 2023, winning both the Shenandoah Valley electric vehicle grand prix and the washington, d. C. Electric vehicle grand prix. Earning their spot on the globalstage. Faced with international competition, the short circuits secured a first place triumph against 28 teams from around thefrom a Virginia School club to top contenders in abu dhabi is a testament to perseverance technical skill and the pursuit of excellence. Id like to take a moment to congratulate the members of the team, mary haley andrew, jason, lauren, lilly and madison. The students monumental success is more than a victory in competition, its a demonstration of American Innovation and a proof of what our young people can achieve with the support of their community. Congratulations. Mr. Speaker, today i stand before this chamber to raise a very serious concern, the growing threat emanating from china, not through conventional means, but through the digital specter of surveillance and manipulation. Specifically, viatok. The communist party of china is penetrating American Society harvesting data on 170 million american users from just tiktok alone. This is a and present danger to our National Security. The legislation we bring forth this week, the protecting americans from foreign adversary controlled applications act, directly addresses this threat. We must close the door on chinas access to our citizens personal and sensitive information. Chinas manipulationf tiktok and other applications empowers them to shape narratives and spread disinformation, targeting the vulnerabilities of our democracy and creating division and undermg values. The evidence is clear, from deceiving content to secret data harvesting chinas digital chokehold on our nation is tightening. Our billno censorship, it is a safeguard for our citizens a firewall against applications. We must ensure that the c. C. P. Cannot weaponize information and turn our freedoms against us. Security and freedom of the American People are nonnegotiable. We must defend america not only from the tyranny of armies, but also the tyranny of digitals i pee notwithstanding and ma nip s i pee notwithstanding and s i d espionage espionage and manipulation. Two individual state champions who led strasburgs victory include senior dave biggers who won the class ii state title at 150 points and sophomore teammate who won the state title at 215 points. Additional top performers performers were aiden, payton, zach, donovan and kobe. This performance was truly exceptionally, showcasing the talent and teamwork that defined this group. I wish the seniors the best of luck in their future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize an Exceptional Group of students from Harrisburg High School during the 2024u. A. E. Electric vehicle grand prix. Competing in abu dhabi, these young innovators represented not only our great commonwealth,erican spirit of ingenuity and excellence. In only their third season, the Harrisonburg High School electric vehicle team, the blue streaks, faced o formidable teams from across four nations. Through sheer determination and exceptional skill team blue streaks charged aad, t only clinching the fastest qualifying team but securing the esteemed position. Id like to take a moment to honor the bright young minds of this team, seniors, ck juniors davis monica, peter, joshua and collin. Their collective effort earned landing them a commendable third place overall. Special acknowledgment goes to johanna and monica who were bestowed the women in scienceengineering award, inspiring young women everywhere that the skys the limit in stem fields. These students are not just students or competitors, theyre pioneers paving the way toward a more sustainable future. Islave branches. He serves in the u. S. Navy being deployed to iraqnd tours in a a in afghanistan. I extend my profound gratitude an thank him for being by my side for the last fe years. The body will miss his devotion toak as difference. I wish him fair winds and following seas in his next chapte i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair nowecognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Garcia for fiv minutes. Mr. Garcia unanimous consent to address the house for one mute address the house for five minutes. The spear pro tempore please proceed. Mr. Garcia i riseoday t commemorate womens hisry month by honoring an american on who h left an unforgettable mark onur culture and country. The one and only selena. Few artists have shap american and latin music like selena perez. Thqueen of tejano music won the grammy life Achievement Award and dozens of honors. She released 11 albums, five with her band, and six solo was arguably the mos influentialexican american artist of her generation. While she left us t soon, her life and music touched the lives of so many. Transcending bordersnd barriers and breaking io a male domated tejano music seen. Selenas impact reaches far beyoer music business, and fashion. She was one of the most influential latin artists of all time. She has been credited for elevating tejano and latin music in the mainstream market. Whether at a family party celebration, or club when a song comes on everyone hits the dance floo shes a symbol of unity, resilience and latino and Mexican American pde. [speaking spanish] well never stop dreaminf i yie back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from georgia mr. Carte for five minutes. Mr. Carter madam speaker i rise today to celebrate king and prince seafoods 100 anniversary. 100 years ago gerd counted the kg primp company in brunswickeorgia. They sold wild georgia shrimp to fish markets loced in new york city and chicago. After world war ii the company boughtnd conrted two wear houses thahad been used to construct liberty ships f the u. S. Nav with additnal space and the adoption freezing technology, sales skyrocketed. In 1986, the company chang its name from the king Shrimp Company to the name we know today, the kinand prince seafood company. Although this cpany has had great commercial succe it has hadn even larger impact on glenn county and the surrounding areas. King andrince seafood can often be seen sponsoring events or volunteering with hospice of the golden isles. Simply putts privige to ha such a scessful and commun focused i look forward to seeing what they have h store f the next 100 years. Mr. Speaker i rise today to honor the life of georgia representive Richard Smith who ssed away at the age of 78. Representative smith was born in wrightsville g and graduate interested morgan county, high school where he played quarterback for the football team. He went on to earn a bachelos degree from louisia state univerty and a masters degree from the university of georgia. Before entg politics representative smith served as director of the u. G. A. Cooperative extension service. Representative smith will be remembered for a letimef dedicated plic service. Heerved for 20 years in the georgia general assemblynd was distinguish chairman of the house rules committee. Beyond his Extensive Service representative smith was respected d cherished by all who knew him and called him friend. Incling myself who i served with representative smith in the georgia statehouse. Since h passing friends and colleagues have descbed hi as largern life. A true statesman andn honest coassie, agree more. Representative smith will be missed by all who knew him. Mr. Speak i rise today to congratulate emily graham for being the savannah ham county public School Teacher of the year. She has demonstrated her passion and devotion for teaching by serv a bandlands high school in savanh. The band progr start and growth are attributae to her work as emil h14 yrs instructing the 9th through 12th grade music classes. Throughout her career, she has been responsible for expanding the band program, the instrument and Music Libraries establishing both marching and jazz bands among otr accomplishments. She developed a love for music and performance throughout her childhood. Following High School Graduation she attended combus State University where she reived the bachelor of mus education and subsequently earned h masters degree in the subject. She chose to return to savannah to pursue a career of svice and selffulfillment. I would like to extend my gratitude to teachers likes emily who significantly impact those youn minds and prepa chil for a future success. Mr. Speaker i rise today to celebrate theife of Katherine Mccurry who passed away on november 22, 2023. In 1970, she graduat from Georgia Southern college where she was lam about chapter of the kappa deltaorority. She married her lifelong confidant and love, james. For more than five decades she remained a dedicated memberf st. Thomas episcopalrch, contributing her time various positions in the church such as serving in the choir. Her Community Involvement extended beyd the chch calls, walls. As a passionate tennis enthusiast she held the title of presi of the savannah tennis association. Kathy found joy in traveli alongside friends water skig, crabbing off the dk with andchildren, and bei surrounded by her lovednes. She will be greatlyissed by all. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield bac the speaker proempore the chair recnizes the ntleman from ogon, mr. Blumenauer, for five minutes. , mr. Blumenauer in 2022, the world lost mor than 16 million acres of forest, an area bigger th west virgini deforestation accounted for abou 10 of the worlds annua grnhouse gas emissions and 40 of all tpical deforestation as a result of illegal clearing. Put another way deforestation would rank ashe third country in terms of orall carbon emissions. Underscoring a need to as part after Global Solution to the climate crisis. Nearlyalf of the tropical deforestation is estimated to be the resul just four commodities. Beef soy palm oil, and Wood Products that drive this derestation. The people who are engaged in legal logging are some of the worst pple on the face of the planet. They engage in, theft, crimes aga indigenous pple ose rights are trampled on or rse, actual violence directed against them. There is, of cours a solution. Deny people who grow crops on illegally forested land access to the american economy. The is precedent here, too. I had amendments to t lacy act focusing on disaplowingal illegally harvested timber to be imported disallowing illegal illegally harvested timber to be imrted to the United States. From the original lacy act that otected endangered species and ldlife. Its commonly aepted, easy to administer altugh not aays easy it required companies to control their supply chain, to be able to document that control and respect for requirements of illegally sourced product. If formed framework t just for erican law but modeled European Union austria, and japan who modeled their actions on my bill. Now we have an opportunity to expand this approach soy cocoa, palm oil beef, and ruer commodities. There is rough agreement on this apoach that has promise Large Companies are ccerned about the legal, practical, and reputation consequences for ing involved with products that are gwn on these harvested land. We have introduceed Bipartisan Legislation,he forest act ator shotts to codif the conversation and to advance this policy to choke off this practice. The goal of the legislation is encourage responsible compaes to observe requirements to avoid products from illegally harvested timberland. It will require adjustment i terms of mindset and procedures toave control of the supply chain. But helping provide a framework is necessary toe these ingrained habi i songly urge my colleagues to support our legislation to use the tools of trade and supply chain control to end the environmentally dtructi pattern of commodities fm harvested land. Its going to be hd, but it will be worth the effort. The speaker pro tempore the chair now recognizes the gentlen from minnesota mr. Fin stat, fo five minutes. Fin et mr. Finstad i rise to honor Police Officers officer hougy shot and killed in the linef duty on february 18. His life was tragically taken at the young age of 27 whi responding to a domesc violence cal i burnsville, miesota. Rriguez landing a small community. From an early age he knewe wanted to help androtect people. He aended Kellogg High School and award add scholarship for students entering a law enforcent caer. Terward heompleted a Police Training program atan cato state unirsity wit high honors and two years later joined the burnsville Police Department where he earned the lifesavingedal and served on the crisis negotiation team. While he didnt like being the center of attention he had a unwavering commitment to serving others. Officer matthew was the very best of la enforment. Alys there to help a pern o prayers are with his paren sean and kristi, his sister, and the many friends and family that hew tohed throughout his life. Office rougy w among the best and bravest of southern minnesota. Well never forget his sce and splice. May he rt in peace. Madampeaker i rise tod to honor the life of southern minnesota hero, firefighter and paramedic, adam finstad tragically killed in the line of duty ang with officers paul amstand and matthew rougy while responding ta scene of a dostic violee call on feuary 18. He was born in fair balled, minnesota. Where he graduate interested johnarshall hi school in 2001. Early on it was obvious that adam had bn called to a life of service. After graduation he took a summer job as a rochester lifeguard before enhit u. S army shortly after never. Adam served two tours oduty in Operation Iraqi freedom then would go on to spend nearly a decade serving as a First Responder fo fire deparents in lacrosse hngs, save, and burnsville. His firefighter fily describes him as selfless with the first one in, last one out mentality. Embodied the true spirit of a firefighter, friend everyone could count on. My prayers wh with hisife, their two children, as well as his parents, sister, and all the communities he madeetter with his service. Madam speaker i yield back. The speaker pro tempo pursuanto cl2a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until noon today