Robert Aderholt

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, ObamaCare has been an unlawful failure. Fortunately, this administration remains committed to providing more affordable healthcare options to all Americans. Debating the prospects of future judicial action will not help us deliver on our promise to bring better healthcare to our constituents. Congress needs to work, rather, on a bipartisan basis, with the administration, to ensure quality, affordable care. In addition, it is not appropriate for Congress to tell the executive branch what positions it should take in court. Litigation strategy is the responsibility and the prerogative of the Department of Justice. The Attorney General, as the litigator for the United States, should be able to advance what he believes are defensible and reasonable legal positions. The Attorney General has concluded that the position of the States challenging the ACA and the district court is a defensible and reasonable legal position for the department to take. Questions of the constitutionality should be determined by the courts, not through a partisan debate on a funding limitation to an appropriations bill, which we are doing this afternoon. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I would urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I am opposing the amendment.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this amendment. While I greatly respect the gentleman from Michigan and I know that he feels very strongly about this issue, this amendment would reverse the July 2017 order from the Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, which included safeguards to ensure adoptive seizures that are legal and conform to the Department of Justice policy. Adoptive seizures allow the Federal Government to recover funds that are proceeds of or connected to Federal crimes, but where property happens to be discovered by local law enforcement. Moreover, this type of Federal and local cooperation fosters important collaboration between agents and officers. We should not return hastily to the Obama administration policy but, rather, continue to review carefully the practice of forfeiture adoption as part of the broader discussion of asset forfeiture reform. Violent crime, gangs, and drug trafficking are a growing and continuing problem across this Nation. We should not take away from law enforcement a tool they need to combat criminal groups and to make our streets safer. So, again, we would love to work with the gentleman on this, but I would have to recommend a ``no'' on this amendment. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I again want to oppose this amendment, and I firmly believe we should not take away from law enforcement a tool that they need to combat criminal groups and make our streets safer. Mr. Speaker, I recommend a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to honor and to recognize Mr. Jack Thompson from Montgomery, Alabama. He passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2020, after a full life of 88 years. He was born in Colbert County, which is now the Fourth Congressional District, in 1932 and remained a resident of the State of Alabama for his entire life. After graduating from Colbert County High School, Jack married his sweetheart, Ruth Hester, at the age of 20, and Jack and Ruth were married for 67 years and raised four wonderful children. For 31 years, Jack worked for Auburn University Extension Service. After retiring, he went on to own a farm in Athens, Alabama, and served as assistant commissioner of agriculture alongside my father-in-law, who was commissioner at the time, Albert McDonald, from the State of Alabama. Then Jack, himself, thereafter was elected commissioner of agriculture and industries for 4 years for the State of Alabama. Jack is now survived by his four children, David Thompson, Keith Thompson, Susan Woodham, and Janice Thompson, and his sister, Ann Thomas. He has 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Jack will be greatly missed by all his family and friends and all of us that knew him. Jack's legacy will live well into the future.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Jack Alexander Thompson from Montgomery, Alabama. Jack Thompson passed away on Sunday after a full life of eighty-eight years. He was an upstanding citizen of our state and a respected member of the Montgomery community. Jack Thompson was an Alabamian through and through, as he was born in Colbert County in 1932 and remained in the state his entire life. After graduating from Colbert County High School, Jack Thompson married his sweetheart, Ruth Hester, at the age of twenty. Jack and Ruth were married for sixty-seven years and raised four wonderful children, which led to the additional joy of having grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a student, Jack dedicated his studies to agriculture, which is evident that it played a big role in his life for as long as he lived. He earned his B.S. in Agriculture from Auburn University and his master's in animal science from the University of Tennessee. If it was not clear before these degrees, it was clear afterwards--Jack was going to make a difference in agriculture and better the lives of many people along the way. For the following thirty-one years Jack worked for the Auburn University Extension Service, where he engaged with 4-H students, Cattlemen, and Agronomy farmers in Montgomery, Elmore, and Limestone counties. After retiring, Jack went on to own a farm in Athens, Alabama and served as the Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture before assuming the role of Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries for four years. Jack also combined his two passions, agriculture and Auburn University, and lobbied for financing to construct the Ag and Industries Thompson Bishop Sparks Diagnostic Lab on Auburn's campus. This was quite the undertaking, but Jack got it done, and he went on to do much more. As a volunteer, Jack Thompson's list of service roles is incredible. He was president of the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce; Campaign Chairman of the United Way; president of the Limestone County Cattlemen's Association, a lifetime Director of the State Cattlemen's Association; a lifetime member of the Athens Industrial Development Association; and was a board member at the Salvation Army. Jack also worked with 4-H kids in coordinating with state, district, and local steer shows and managed livestock for what is now the Alabama National Fair. Jack Thompson is now survived by his four children; David Thompson, Keith Thompson, Susan Woodham, and Janice Thompson. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Ann Thomas, and his eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. It is with a heavy heart for the family of Mr. Jack Thompson and the community of Montgomery, Alabama that I recognize the life of Mr. Jack Thompson. His legacy will live on well into the future.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, as one of the House Co-chairs of the Azerbaijan Caucus, I am honored to recognize the Republic Day of Azerbaijan, commemorating Azerbaijan's 102nd year of independence and democracy. On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan became the first secular democratic state in the Muslim East. Though it was absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1920, Azerbaijan again declared its independence seven decades later in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan's Republic Day serves as a time to highlight and reflect on some of the country's best qualities, including its strong relationship with Israel, its focus on energy security, and its key role in regional stability. A Muslim-majority country, Azerbaijan also hosts a thriving, secure Jewish community, and the Azerbaijan-Israel bilateral relationship is strong. Additionally, Azerbaijan is committed to protecting global energy security, especially through its efforts regarding the Southern Gas Corridor, which will decrease the Caspian region's dependence on Russian oil. A stalwart U.S. ally, Azerbaijan has aided U.S. and NATO forces by providing critical refueling stations, and Azerbaijan's troops have fought side-by-side with U.S. troops in Afghanistan. In addition, Azerbaijan has contributed to the security of Kosovo and Iraq and supports peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and NATO. Azerbaijan is also committed to global nonproliferation efforts and participates as a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Azerbaijan is a significant U.S. partner in a strategically important area of the world, and I urge my colleagues to join me to commending the people of Azerbaijan on their Republic Day.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for yielding to me. I rise today in strong opposition to this bill. No doubt, as has been said, State and local governments across this Nation are hurting because of the economic downturn this virus has created. However, these times call for cooperation. The Democrats, unfortunately, have chosen partisanship. America needs us to come together to address this pandemic, but the Democrats chose their own way, shutting out the Republicans in discussing this bill. Unfortunately, the Democratic leadership seems more interested in shaping the debate for November than solving the real problems that this country is going through today. Among the many concerns of this package is the election mandates. The Democrat pipe dream would lead to widespread voter fraud by allowing voter harvesting and prohibiting even States from requiring voter identification. Let me be clear: This bill is chock-full of proposals that have absolutely nothing to do with addressing the economic harms from the pandemic virus that we are experiencing in this Nation. A $3 trillion liberal wish list is not a serious proposal. The United States of America, this country, deserves better.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, while this bill is not perfect--few bills are--the bill before us today is a good bill and we are quite frankly in the midst of perhaps our greatest health care crisis since the flu pandemic of 1918, the year my grandmother was born in rural Alabama. Because of the crisis, we have a responsibility to take action. Our President, Donald Trump, has shaped one of the most successful economic periods in our memory. I admire and support his ongoing vision of creating and maintaining jobs in the United States. Unfortunately, this virus which we are currently dealing with has a very high rate of transmission, often before the carrier is symptomatic. This is why the President and our healthcare experts have encouraged people to stay home, meaning that the very activities crucial to thriving business activity have temporarily been put on hold in order to stop the spread of the virus. Experts in both the public and private sectors are working almost around the clock to produce the therapies and medical devices we need, and also on an eventual vaccine. In the meantime, we must help American workers and businesses who, through no fault of their own, simply cannot work due to circumstances and in some cases due to having the virus itself. This bill has been in the spotlight at every point in its negotiations. Again, while this bill is not perfect, it accomplishes a number of things I support. Here are just a few. Rural hospitals serve our constituents who cannot travel to large hospitals, and, indeed, are being asked not to travel at all. The $100 billion emergency fund is necessary to prevent the imminent shutdowns of these small rural hospitals such as in my hometown of Haleyville which were already operating on a razor's edge margin. This bill also includes assistance for our Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to provide telehealth services during this crisis. Likewise, we need for every person, every student, to have access to broadband internet service. During the course of negotiations on this bill, I repeatedly warned that rural Americans without access to high-speed internet are being left behind as Americans are asked to work from home, take classes online, and utilize telehealth services to combat the spread of the coronavirus. After working alongside colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and also our Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee Kay Granger of Texas, I am pleased to see that this bill contains $340 million for rural broadband deployment, distance learning, and telehealth for rural areas. This is a step in the right direction toward getting rural Americans the help that they need during the coronavirus emergency. I applaud the President for his desire to send each family a check to help them in this time of need. Likewise, when they spend that money, that act will help sustain our economy. I believe that we will get through this crisis. And when we do, it will be the economy, the workers and families of this great nation who provide the lasting economic recovery we all look forward to. In the meantime, this bill has provisions to preserve our travel industry, our contractors working on the Artemis mission to take the first woman astronaut to the Moon, as well as scientists who monitor dangerous weather at NOAA. I want to thank the tremendous leadership of Ranking Member Granger on those efforts, as well as our House leadership, especially my friend and colleague Minority Whip Scalise, and Senator Wicker, as well as Representatives Posey, Palazzo, and many others on both sides of the aisle as we move forward. I understand the concerns of many Members and Senators about how the unemployment provisions work, but I believe that when this crisis passes, our economy will come roaring back. I want to continue to work with my colleagues on possible corrections and possibly another bill this spring. I want to thank our farmers, food processors, and truckers who continue during these difficult times to provide the most basic need: food. Also, our hospitals and healthcare workers--the doctors, nurses, NPs, PAs, CRNAs, lab workers, technicians, and all the other staff who make our hospitals work--around the country are on the front lines of fighting this virus and we are so grateful for their sacrifice to take care of our citizens. Again, I sincerely believe that we will get through this crisis. Our country is stronger than this virus. This bill is just one example of how we can come together to find solutions. My prayers are with our families and all families across America as well as with all of our nation's officials, from local government to the White House. I appreciate the feedback from everyone back home, and I hope to continue to do what I can to work on their behalf of all of those I represent.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I am pro-life, pro-family, and pro- child. While my beliefs are rooted in my Christian faith, I am not naive enough to believe that everyone shares that connection between faith and the sanctity of life. Yet, no matter what someone believes or doesn't believe, everyone understands that life is precious, and it is a gift. I believe that as Members of Congress and as citizens, we are called to protect the vulnerable. This is one of my core beliefs. But being Pro-Life comes with responsibilities. It's not enough to say that you are Pro-Life and then walk away. ``Just say no'' isn't enough when it comes to abortion. Women who find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy need support. Sometimes they need a loving shoulder to cry on. And sometimes they need help to find adoption resources. Being pro-life means not just pro-birth but being interested in the welfare of that child during their entire formative years. That's why I am not only a long-time member of the Pro-Life Caucus, but also a co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. We must speak up on behalf of the millions of babies aborted since Roe v. Wade, but also speak up for the children who have been saved by mothers who chose life. Let's work together to find new ways to protect the most vulnerable amongst us--to advocate for families to adopt children or become foster parents, and then promote the underlying structures that support these families. I also want to take this opportunity to thank President Trump and his Administration for the work they have done to defend the unborn, including changing the rules for Title X and expanding the Mexico City Policy. I look forward to the day when there are no more abortions because there are no more unwanted children.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, this month, our friend and ally, the Republic of Azerbaijan marks the 30th anniversary of ``Black January.'' This time period symbolizes the beginning of the end of Soviet rule over Azerbaijan, an occupation that existed for much of the 20th Century. Violent conflict erupted in Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku on January 19-20, 1990 when Soviet troops killed over 100 Azeri demonstrators and wounded another 700. In stark contrast to the violence of the Soviet military, the people of Azerbaijan continued their peaceful protests until declaring independence from the U.S.S.R. on October 18, 1991. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the events of Black January in Azerbaijan and honoring those who lost their lives in pursuit of freedom. The United States continues to stand with our ally and partner.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today as pro-life, pro- family, and pro-child. No matter what your faith is, everyone understands that life is very precious and that life is a gift. I believe that as Members of Congress and, really, as all citizens, we are called to protect the vulnerable, and this is one of my core beliefs. Being pro-life means not just pro-birth but being interested in the welfare of the child during his or her entire formative years. That is why I am not only a longtime member of the Pro-Life Caucus but also the co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank this administration for the work they have done to defend the unborn, including changing the rules for title 10 and expanding the Mexico City policy. I look forward to continuing to work with the administration on these issues as we come to the time of January when we remember the ruling on Roe v. Wade. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the day when there are no more abortions because there are no more unwanted children.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I want to, as well, today, pay tribute to Michael Gerard Fitzpatrick, who, as has been mentioned, served in this House, representing Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District. It was a privilege to serve with Mike, and, from the first time that I met Mike here in Washington in the House, I knew he was a man of character and a man of principle. Mr. Speaker, I think you have heard from the words that were spoken this morning before I spoke that, indeed, was the reputation that he had here in Washington, D.C., as I am sure he had back in the State of Pennsylvania. Today, as we pay tribute to Michael and his life, I am reminded, with just the passing of my own mother-in-law at 5 o'clock this morning, Shirley McDonald from Huntsville, Alabama, who was struggling from Parkinson's disease, of just how short life is. Literally, I am reminded of the shortness of time and the greatness of eternity. But my mother-in-law, Shirley, and Michael knew that there is a life beyond this one and that, because of Christ, we can have hope to enter an eternal life.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, today, a duly elected President is being impeached by the House of Representatives, by the Democrats compelled by partisanship and not by the facts. I am proud to stand here with President Donald Trump, and I plan to cast my vote against both Articles of Impeachment. It is not that the President abused his power. It is my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who are abusing one of the most powerful tools that has been entrusted to Congress in the Constitution by our Founding Fathers.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, and I also rise today in support of H.R. 1158, as the majority leader did, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020. While this bill is not perfect, as it was also mentioned--and, quite honestly, I have concerns that there is an ongoing trend toward increased spending--I will say that division B of this legislation, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, includes assistance that is critical to law enforcement, the Census, and NASA, among other things. I would like to thank Chairman Serrano, and I thank Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, as well as our Senate counterparts for their leadership, their diligence, and their willingness to come together to form this meeting of the minds to bring this FY 2020 bill to the floor and to fruition. I also want to thank Mr. Serrano's staff--Mr. Bob Bonner, Jeff Ashford, Trisha Castaneda, TJ Lowdermilk, Shannon McCully, Matt Smith, and B.G. Wright--for their hard work and the many long days that were, no doubt, dedicated to helping produce this legislation. I appreciate their cooperative spirit in which they worked with my staff to address so many of the issues that are in this bill. And, of course, I also want to thank my staff for their outstanding work. I want to thank our CJS subcommittee staff, Stephanie Gadbois and Kristin Clarkson, for their hard work, their long hours, and their dedication over the last year, and especially the hard work of the last few weeks in finalizing this bill. Let me just briefly recap. The bill has $22.6 billion for NASA. The funding will help support the President's Artemis initiative, which includes completion and further development of the Space Launch System to ensure that it is the United States and not our adversaries that will control future access to space. In addition to NASA, the bill includes $7.3 billion to support the 2020 Decennial Census which will be necessary to get an accurate count of all Americans, including those in hard-to-count communities. It also includes critical funding for the Federal law enforcement components of the Department of Justice, including the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. I am pleased to say that these funds will also support Attorney General Barr's efforts to fight the scourge of violent crimes and acts of mass violence. In support of the valuable efforts of our local law enforcement partners back home, this bill also includes $547 million for the Byrne Justice Assistance grants, along with increased resources to eliminate the sexual assault kit backlog, also fund drug court programs, and support other vital initiatives that fight the opioid epidemic.

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, this bill provides funding increases for the agencies that ensure compliance with our trade laws, along with programs that foster American innovation and competitiveness, not only in our communities and in each of our States but around the world. Finally, I am pleased that this bill also contains longstanding Second Amendment protections that were targeted for elimination earlier this year. So, in closing, I would like to thank, again, Chairman Serrano for his great spirit to work with and how he has led the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, and I wish him the best.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I want to express my sincere congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cole on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary on December 14, 2019. Donald Dwight Cole and Edna Earl Mize married on December 14, 1969 at Millport Church of Christ. Their story began when they met in study hall as juniors in high school, where they were the only students in the class. Don grew up Millport, AL, while Edna grew up all over the country as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force veteran until the military brought her to Millport in 1965. It is the classic love story. Don, the football player, and Edna, soon to become Homecoming Queen, fell in love as high school sweethearts and soon found themselves at the University of Alabama. After college graduation Don was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and Edna began teaching English. Over the next few decades the Air Force would station them in Aurora, CO; Goldsboro, NC; Washington, DC; Uijeongbu, South Korea; Colorado Springs, CO; Nashville, TN; back to Colorado Springs, CO, and then to their last tour back in Bowie, MD. In their retirement years they continue to serve in their church, Columbus Church of Christ, run the consignment store Cole's Collections, serve on the South Lamar Rescue Squad, Millport Chamber of Commerce and the C3 Northwest Alabama Economic Alliance. They learned their strong faith, work and personal ethics from parents, which they've also taught by example to their two children, Eric Lee Cole (Kensington, MD) and Emily Cole Monahan (Columbus, MS). They have always stayed close to their roots and family in Lamar County, and remain avid Alabama football fans. Celebrated now by their 2 children (Eric and Emily), 2 grandchildren Thomas Cole Monahan (Columbus, MS) and Ryan Lee Cole (Kensington, MD) . . . theirs is truly a love story of obedience to God, loyalty and perseverance. Fifty years later their love story, and the Air Force, have taken them all over the world and included countless adventures and friends, but they will tell you that their faith and their family has been their greatest blessing. Back on November 24, 2019, their children hosted a 50th Wedding Anniversary reception from 2:00 to 4:00 at Columbus Church of Christ in Columbus, Mississippi. As the Cole's representative to Congress, I send them my best wishes and my prayers that they will have many more happy years together.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Sergeant Major Michael Grinston on his selection to become the sixteenth Sergeant Major of the United States Army. Having grown up in Jasper, Alabama, in Alabama's Fourth Congressional District, Sergeant Major of the Army Grinston enlisted in the Army in 1987 to serve as an artilleryman. During his thirty-two years in the Army, his deployments included two tours each to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as Desert Shield/Desert Storm and a deployment to Kosovo. He also served as the senior enlisted leader for the Army's first deployment of a division headquarters, with the First Infantry Division, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from October 2014 to June 2015. In addition to serving as the I Corps Command Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major of the Army Grinston most recently served as the senior enlisted leader for U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), the U.S. Army's largest command. He is a combat veteran who has served in every level of leadership from gunner to his current role as the United States Army's senior enlisted leader. His awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), and five Bronze Stars (two with ``V'' devices). He has earned the Ranger tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, and the Combat Action Badge. Sergeant Major of the Army Grinston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College. Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege to recognize such an accomplished and dedicated leader. I join his family, friends and colleagues in wishing him the greatest success in this new role.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. I would like to recognize the retirement of someone who has spent his career bringing news and information to thousands of people. Mr. James Lesley (Les) Walters was born to James and Lottie Walters in April of 1956 in Andalusia, Alabama. He was the valedictorian of his 1974 graduating class at Red Level High School. After high school, Waters went on to attend college at Troy state University. Upon graduation in 1978, he was named the Hall School of Journalism and Communication's Outstanding Graduate of the Year. In 1979, the Itawamba County Times in Fulton, Mississippi hired Walters as a news writer. Later that same year, he accepted a job in Hamilton, Alabama at a brand newspaper called the Hamilton Progress. In 1987, Walters left the Hamilton Progress for the position of managing editor of the Journal Record newspaper, also in Hamilton. He has held this position for the past 32 years. During his more than three decades at the Journal Record, his leadership has helped steer the paper and the community during much change, progress and even tragedy. From the completion of interstate 1- 22 through Marion County, the 2011 tornado outbreak that left several dozen people in the county dead, to the 2016 Hamilton office shootings, Walters has been there to help the paper and his staff write the first draft of Marion County history. As an editor, Walters has been a vocal advocate of Alabama's open records and open meetings act and has kept county and municipal governments accountable to adhere by them. Walters also cultivated a higher standard of journalism in Marion County. Under his leadership, the paper moved from submission-based coverage to having reporters prioritize county commission meetings and city and town council meetings, bringing local news and issues to print for the public's awareness. Walters has received numerous media awards from the Alabama Press Association, including his most-prized award, the APA Feature Story of the Year, which he was honored with for his article ``Dr. Charlie Pyle's Hamilton Hillbillies Semi-Pro Baseball Team.'' Walters has also been named Kiwanis Citizen of the Year and has served as the Hamilton CJ's president, where he was a longtime member and helped organize numerous fund raisers, such as wrestling nights and air shows at the Marion County Rankin-Fite Airport. Walters married his wife of 39 years, Sheri Gilliland, on July 19, 1980. They have two sons: Sloan, 34, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Sloan and his wife Erin have two sons, Thad, 5, Crosby, 2, and another child expected in February 2020; his youngest son, Chance, 33, lives in Birmingham. The Walters family are members of the First Baptist Church of Hamilton, where Les Walters has taught Sunday school for youth and college-aged adults. He also serves on the church's publicity committee. As a member of Congress, representing Marion County and northwest Alabama, I want to acknowledge and honor Mr. Walters and his years of service to his community, his state and our First Amendment. I wish Les Walters all the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, the Democrats continue to investigate the President in secret back rooms of the Capitol in the Intelligence Committee. If the Speaker believes that the Members of Congress can ultimately vote and impeach the President based on bogus evidence that has never seen the light of day, then she is badly mistaken. In the past 50 years, this body has held impeachment proceedings for only two Presidents: One was a Democrat; one was a Republican. Those were serious times when both parties came together to conduct solemn business required under the Constitution, a document that we as Members of Congress are sworn to uphold. Conducting this impeachment process in the shadows is a mockery of the democratic process. It actually belittles our duty, and it belittles the votes of people who duly elected this President. Madam Speaker, in closing, I call on Speaker Pelosi to sit down with the Republican leadership to establish an open and transparent process based on precedent.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, our opening prayer yesterday morning was offered by Pastor Phil Waldrep from Decatur, Alabama. I want to thank Pastor Waldrep for his dedication to the scripture and his passion for families. Six years ago, Pastor Waldrep's extended family grew through the gift of adoption. In Spring of 2013, his oldest daughter, Maegan Schwindling, and her husband, TC, began pursuing adoption from the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were matched at the beginning of summer 2013 with a young girl in Lubumbashi, DRC. Things took an unfortunate turn a few months later. On September 25, 2013, adoptions from the DRC came to a halt as President Kabila blocked Internationally-adopted children from leaving the country. Child placement agencies and adoptive families scrambled to find their way through this roadblock yet they were undeterred in getting these children home. I had the privilege of meeting Maegan and several other Alabama families during this season while they were stuck with children on the other side of the world. We worked closely with the Congressional Caucus on Adoption and the U.S. State Department to help these families be united here in their new homes. Pastor Waldrep's granddaughter Zoe finally came home to the United States with Maegan and TC on April 16, 2016. She became a proud American citizen on September 27, 2016--almost 3 years to the day after President Kabila suspended international adoptions in the DRC. On Thursday, a little over 6 years after Zoe's journey with her family began, Zoe was in the gallery to watch her grandfather open the House of Representatives in prayer. Zoe has suffered loss and tragedy in her life, but through the gift of adoption and the love and care of her parents and extended family, she has become a true example of beauty in broken places. As the House Republican co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Adoption, I'm honored to recognize the Schwindlings and all of the adoptive families in Alabama. Next month we will celebrate National Adoption Month. May Zoe's story be a reminder to us all of the magnitude of loss and the beauty of coming home that can be found in adoption stories across the country.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Meadows), my friend and colleague, for yielding. I also rise today to ask my colleagues to oppose the joint resolution, which, obviously, as has been said will terminate the President's proclamation, as he has declared a national emergency on the southern border. As I have previously stated during other debates on this issue, it is clear that there is a national emergency that exists. The American people understand that unchecked and unregulated immigration, which is in violation of our Nation's laws, has created a border security and humanitarian crisis, which allows the flow of drugs, human trafficking, and gang members into this country, as well as causing desperate situations that are faced by women and children who make this dangerous journey. Furthermore, I think it is important for this debate that we remember and make clear that it is clearly within the authority provided by Congress for the President to do this. As an appropriator, I understand the importance of Congress' responsibility for military construction funding, and I appreciate the work my colleagues have done on the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. I had the privilege to be a vice chair of that subcommittee several years ago. But I also recognize that Congress has to provide the executive branch with reprogramming authority for military construction under title 10, U.S. Code, section 2808. This is not the first time this authority has been invoked. President George Bush invoked it, and President Obama invoked it. I think it was a total of 18 projects between those two Presidents, between 2001 and 2014. I think most Americans agree with President Trump that there is an emergency at the southern border. It has gotten worse in recent years. I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution and acknowledge the seriousness of the border security and the humanitarian crises on the border. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this joint resolution.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon in support of this continuing resolution. Having to pass a continuing resolution is never an ideal situation, as I think most Members of this body know. However, I support this CR because it will ensure that Congress can provide the basic services which so many of our constituents depend on. I also support this bill because it provides us with the necessary time to negotiate those FY 2020 appropriations bills, bills that have already been referred to this afternoon, bills that I hope are both fiscally responsible and will avoid poisonous, partisan riders, unlike the bills that were passed over the summer in the House, which Republicans, frankly, cannot support. This continuing resolution continues Federal funding at last year's levels with limited exceptions to ensure our government has the resources it needs to aid our constituents and help them where they need Federal assistance. Serving as ranking member of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I support the inclusion of language that ensures the Census Bureau will stay on track to deliver a full and accurate account of all Americans in the 2020 census that will be beginning in a few months, as well as the language that enables the International Trade Commission to meet its statutory mandates under the bipartisan American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act. I am also pleased that this legislation continues to provide for all existing pro-life protections that will allow the USDA to provide temporary relief from unjust tariffs in retaliation to American farmers and ranchers during the period of the continuing resolution. Unfortunately, this bill does fall short of providing the resources needed by the United States Marshals Service for the detention and care of its prisoners. Stepped up efforts under the Trump administration to prosecute firearms, drug, and immigration violations directly impact the United States Marshals Service's needs. The safe, secure, and humane confinement of prisoners depends on appropriate funding for this account. We cannot, as a Congress, call for a crackdown on gun crime and simultaneously fail to adequately provide for the detention of arrestees. This need must be addressed in the FY 2020 legislation. Therefore, in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on the Appropriations Committee as we complete the consideration of FY 2020 appropriations bills under the budget deal that was reached last month. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. J. Frank Filgo, on the occasion of his retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer for the Alabama Trucking Association after more than 24 years of service. Mr. Filgo made a tremendous impact on the Alabama Trucking Association, leading it with honor and character while advocating for the trucking industry's needs in Alabama's political arena. Mr. Filgo graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teacher Education and is a graduate of the National Institute of Organization Management at the University of Delaware. He received his Certified Association Executive designation in 1988 and served as Chairman of the Alabama Society of Association Executives. Throughout his career, he has been active in several state pro-business coalitions, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA). Prior to becoming President of the Alabama Trucking Association in 1995, Mr. Filgo served as President of the Alabama Alliance of Business and Industry where he provided political research benefitting business groups. He is also a former chairman of the Region II Trucking Association Executive Council and currently serves as its secretary. In recognition of his tireless work on behalf of Alabama's trucking industry, as well as his leadership in the state's business community, Mr. Filgo received the Alabama Trucking Association's 2015 H. Chester Webb Award for Distinguished Services and the 2017 Jo Bonner Spirit of Leadership Award as presented by the BCA. Mr. Filgo is known in both Alabama and Washington for his impressive ability to build coalitions to improve the business climate for all Alabamians, especially those in the trucking industry. His ability to forge relationships, coordination of staff, and leadership style have brought him immense success and significant positive impact on Alabama's trucking community. With extraordinary and sincere gratitude, I thank Mr. Filgo for his dedicated service and outstanding contributions to Alabama and the Alabama trucking community. I wish Mr. Filgo all the best as he retires from the Alabama Trucking Association, and may God bless him, his wife Jackie, his daughter Marianne, his son Jack, and his entire family in the next chapter of his life.

Mr. ADERHOLT

Mr. ADERHOLT. Madam Speaker, on behalf of Representatives Palmer, Sewell, Kelly (Trent), Kustoff, Cohen, Crawford, Hill, Westerman, Womack, Mullin, Hern, Lucas, Thornberry, Lujan, Buck, Tipton, and Lamborn, I want to recognize three men who will attempt to pedal their bicycles from Birmingham, Alabama to Colorado Springs, Colorado between July 28 and August 3, 2019. Ride4Gabe IV, as it is called, will take the cyclists through eight states in seven days . The group plans to pedal 300 miles the first day followed by days of 234, 198, 206, 232, 232, and 76 miles. The final leg of Ride4Gabe IV will be from Pueblo, Colorado up to 14,115 feet elevation at the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. Gabe Griffin, a 14-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama, is the inspiration behind Ride4Gabe. After Gabe was diagnosed with Duchenne, his parents created the non-profit Hope for Gabe Foundation to raise awareness and support efforts to develop a cure for this devastating condition. Michael Staley (38) of Hoover, Alabama, and Wes Bates (24) of Nagoya, Japan, began Ride4Gabe in 2014 when they rode across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. According to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 live male births (about 20,000 new cases each year worldwide). Because the Duchenne gene is found on the X- chromosome, it primarily affects males; however, it occurs across all races and cultures and there are cases of females with Duchenne. Duchenne results in progressive loss of strength and is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes for dystrophin. Because dystrophin is absent, the muscle cells are easily damaged. The progressive muscle weakness leads to serious medical problems, particularly issues relating to the heart and lungs. Individuals with Duchenne typically live into their late twenties. Building on the success of the first Ride4Gabe event, Payne Griffin, 23, of Washington, D.C. joined Michael and Wes for Ride4Gabe II in 2016 and the group pedaled across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. Brian Toone, 42, of Hoover, Alabama, dubbed his effort Ride4Gabe Ill as he competed, in the grueling Race Across America. Brian finished 3rd place overall as he traversed California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland in just over ten days. The Ride4Gabe IV team will be live streaming their adventure online as they pass through Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. As the riders tire and their muscles get sore, they will draw strength and inspiration from Gabe and the Duchenne community. Their hero, Gabe, would love to ride a bicycle with them but Duchenne makes doing so impossible. With our help, Duchenne patients like Gabe can continue to hope for a cure so they, too, can go on an epic bike ride or play baseball, football, or basketball with their friends. On behalf of my colleagues representing congressional districts along the Ride4Gabe IV route, I am pleased to recognize Ride4Gabe IV. The awareness that will be raised through Ride4Gabe will lead to greater public awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It is our hope that Gabe Griffin and every other patient who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy will soon have access to a treatment and ultimately a cure.