Michael Burgess

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of the amendment. It is important, with $31 trillion in national debt, that we be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The gentleman is right. I have pursued this for a number of years, but it is because it is a noble cause. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Global Medical Response Stars of Life award recipients for 2023. Each year, the American Ambulance Association (AAA) honors a select group of Emergency Medical Services professionals for their commitment to patient care, integrity and compassion through the Stars of Life program. Global Medical Response, a member of the AAA and the world's largest provider of emergent and non-emergent medical transportation and healthcare services, has identified 32 of its frontline heroes for this distinction, representing the best of the best in the air and on the ground. We will find these heroes all around us in our communities. From a small village outside Anchorage, AK, where a pilot landed his aircraft with nothing but the community's off-road vehicle headlights for light to the paramedics in Buffalo, NY and Jackson, MS, who showed immense strength in leadership and skill while saving multiple lives during mass casualty incidents to the several brave individuals, who voluntarily went into harm's way to support the communities of Florida and face Hurricane Ian head on and to Temple, TX, where the innocent life of a small child was saved by a paramedic following an accident on a ride-on mower. There are many stories to share and so much that we can learn from the day-to-day lives of these heroes. We must learn to exhibit integrity in everything we do and everything we say. We must act with compassion and grace in even the most daunting and challenging of situations. We must be vigilant, never wavering in our commitment to doing what is right for the community and answering the call to serve. So that we will never forget the immense contributions to our communities made by the 2023 Global Medical Response Stars of Lifeaward recipients, I include in the Record their names to honor their service and humbly thank them for showing us what it means to truly serve, while providing care to the world at a moment's notice. Global Medical Response 2023 Stars of Life Award Recipients Danny Abalama, B200 Instructor Pilot of Anchorage, AK. Jacob Ambach, Paramedic of Spokane, WA. Michael Arquette, Operations Supervisor of Buffalo, NY. Jack Asbury, EMT of Bushnell, FL. Cindy Betts, Base Medical Manager of Wichita, KS. Jason Burns, Flight Paramedic of Salida, CO. Ian Carroll, Flight Nurse of Logan, WV. Preston Crotwell, Paramedic of Jackson, MS. Zach Dayton, Firefighter Engineer/EMT of Mesa, AZ. Victoria England, Flight Nurse of Mather, CA. Rick Fikes, Paramedic/Field Training Officer of Abilene,

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Gary Carpenter for the excellent professional and dedicated service he has rendered as the Congressional Liaison for the United States Air Force Academy for the past 18 years. He previously served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 to 2004, as an active-duty enlisted Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Northern Command/NORAD and the Uniformed Services University. The productive and collaborative relationships he has fostered between the USAFA Directorate of Admissions and congressional offices across the nation will be greatly missed. I have no doubt Mr. Carpenter will leave USAFA in good hands. His accomplishments attest to his integrity, quality of character and his dedication to the institution and country which he has served with such honor. It has been the privilege of my staff to work with him and his office throughout the years on behalf of potential Air Force Academy candidates from Texas. As he moves on to new challenges, Mr. Carpenter has had a tremendous and positive impact on the futures of thousands of students and military leaders. On behalf of myself and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, I extend my warmest regards to Gary Carpenter on a job well done and wish him all the very best in the future. He has our thanks and gratitude.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chair, I want to speak in support of my amendment to H.R. 4665, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024. This amendment would reduce foreign assistance to three Central American countries based on the number of unaccompanied children from each of those countries that were referred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement custody in the previous year. Mr. Chair, for the last 5 fiscal years, the United States has provided more than $3 billion of foreign assistance for Central American countries. For fiscal year 2022, the Department of Homeland Security referred almost 130,000 unaccompanied children to the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Forty-seven percent of those children were from Guatemala, 29 percent from Honduras, and 13 percent from El Salvador. Eleven percent were from other countries. On average, providing care for an unaccompanied alien child costs the Office of Refugee Resettlement $500 per day, with the average length of stay in ORR custody being 30 days. This means the average total cost of care for an unaccompanied alien child in ORR custody in fiscal year 2022 was $15,000 per child. In aggregate, it was nearly $2 billion to take care of these unaccompanied alien children. Mr. Chair, this is a crisis that only continues to get worse in 2023 because of the very dangerous and volatile open border policies of this administration. We know the deal in Washington. If you want to make something important to someone, you make it about their money. I want these countries of origin to take better care of their citizens so that they do not undertake the dangerous irregular migration to this country. For 5 years, I have tried to push this point, and those countries have done nothing to make it less likely that a child will undertake that dangerous path to come to the United States with irregular immigration. Passing this amendment sends a very strong message. We need to incentivize these countries to better serve their children and better serve their future. This amendment will provide a real, tangible, monetary incentive to those countries to combat factors that are driving irregular migration. Mr. Chair, I urge everyone to vote for this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chair, I would only point out that the American taxpayer is being hit twice in this exchange. One, they send tax dollars to other countries so that those countries can take care of their own children, but they don't spend the money on the children. They spend it on other things. Then, the American taxpayer has to step up again and be charged again for the care and feeding of that child while in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. I wish this amendment were not necessary. I wish those countries would take care of their own citizens so it was not necessary for them to undergo irregular migration. For over 5 years, I have been trying. It has not helped. This is the way to get their attention. Mr. Chair, I urge support of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the late Mary Denny. For those who did not have the privilege of knowing her, Mary was a valued public servant who gave back to her North Texas community for nearly five decades. Today, North Texas mourns her unexpected death on September 14, 2023. Mary graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Texas in 1973, with degrees in education and mathematics. Almost immediately after graduation she heeded the call to public service, entrusted in the role of Denton County precinct chair for ten years. Recognizing her dedication and abilities, her friends and colleagues elevated her as Chairwoman of the Denton County Republican Party in 1983. During her eight years in that position, she became well known not just in North Texas, but across the state of Texas--all the way to Austin. In 1990, Governor William Clements appointed Mary to the Texas Committee for the Humanities for her work in the community. One of the greatest honors of her professional life came in 1993, when her neighbors and fellow North Texans elected Mary to a seat in the Texas House of Representatives, a position they would keep honoring her with over and over again. While in Austin, her fellow Representatives learned what Mary's community already knew. She received numerous awards for her service, including the Outstanding Texas Legislator Award and the 1995 Star of Service Award from Common Cause. Even when her time in the State House drew to a close, that did not stop Mary. For years after retiring from elected office, the Denton Benefit League, United Way, the Arts Council, City Federation of Women's Clubs, the Current Century Department of Ariel Club, and the board of the YMCA were all enriched through her involvement. Her personal contributions to her community culminated in 2018 when she returned to her alma mater, to serve on the Board of Regents of the University of North Texas. Of all of her achievements however, she always felt her greatest accomplishment was being a mother to her beloved son Bryan. The Honorable Mary Denny will be remembered in towns as small as Aubrey and cities as big as Austin. Her memory and dedication to her work will continue to inspire not just her neighbors in Denton County but all Texans. I ask that you please keep Mary's family in your thoughts and prayers in their time of loss, and to give them the strength to carry on Mary's legacy.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Chair, I thank Representative Pfluger for yielding and for working on this issue. It is so critically important. Maybe the President didn't have an absolute plan in mind, but he did say he wanted people to remain in Texas and not bother the mayor of New York City and the Governor of Massachusetts. The gentleman knows this really well that that rainy Saturday we were working on this up in the Rules Committee, the President said he was going to veto the Homeland Security appropriations bill. Veto the Homeland Security appropriations bill when the Governor of Massachusetts says we have an emergency, the mayor of New York says we are losing our city, and he is going to veto the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill? This policy that Mr. Pfluger is attempting to prevent is wrong. The President should not have articulated it, and he certainly should not have articulated that he is going to veto the bill to protect the border. Governor Abbott had to declare an invasion. He had to declare an emergency. He is having to spend Texans' billions on doing the job the United States Government should be doing. We need to fund this bill and pass this bill.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I thank the members of the Rules Committee who put in so many hours over the past several days to prepare what is an unprecedented rule, in my experience. It is important for moving us forward. To the members of the Rules Committee who put in the long hours this weekend, I certainly want to thank the members of that committee and the staff for working so hard. We are going to get this underlying legislation to the floor. It is important. You are hearing a lot about the border this evening for a reason. A lot of us have studied the problems at the border for several years, but I will just tell you, it has never been this bad, and people see that. We are constantly asked at home: Why can't you do something about that? Mr. Roy is exactly right. We did pass a very significant policy bill, H.R. 2, earlier this year, but it does no good to continue to fund it if the administration is not going to enforce the law--even the current law--but enforce the law, which is essentially the will of the Congress. What we are doing here today is critical. We are fulfilling our obligation to our constituents and the American people. We are going to fund the government in a responsible and fiscally sound manner, as opposed to this business of usual stuff that has been going on for several years where Congress is expected to rubberstamp what comes over from the Senate or rubberstamp what is asked for by the President. Our duty extends far beyond what is happening just today. The next generation and the next generation after that, our future, the country's future depends on us standing strong at this moment and ensuring that the funds of the American taxpayer are wisely spent. This administration's track record has failed on so many levels-- failed my constituents, failed your constituents, Madam Speaker, the people of Texas, and the migrants who have lost their lives on this dangerous journey to cross our border. Madam Speaker, this administration is not only complicit, but bears the sole responsibility for this humanitarian crisis that is unfolding before our very eyes. The Biden administration's failure to enforce our laws, their shameful handcuffing of our courageous Border Patrol agents from effectively safeguarding our borders has allowed the southern border to fall from anarchy into a calamity. Madam Speaker, our work here today signifies our crucial mission to rectify past errors and steer our Nation back on the path of fiscal responsibility. People need to know that we recognize our solemn duty to correct course and restore fiscal sanity, not only for our sake but for the sake of those who will come after.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. On the subject of paying taxes, I do hope the special prosecutor is successful in ensuring that the President's family pays their fair share in taxes. I know that is an ongoing issue before the courts now. Mr. Speaker, according to a Stanford University study, California will need to triple its electricity supply just to fuel all the additional electric vehicles on the road as a result of the ban on gas and diesel vehicle sales. The grid expansion alone is going to cost Californians at least $75 billion in higher electric rates. I want to reference a document prepared by the Committee on Energy and Commerce because, obviously, that committee was responsible for our underlying bill, and their discussion on electric vehicle mandates, on how they are unaffordable and impractical. The majority of vehicles, 95 percent on the road today, run on internal combustion engines. Electric vehicles are still too expensive for many Americans. I would reference that, basically, these are subsidized toys for rich people. The average transaction price of an electric vehicle was $17,000 more than a gas-powered vehicle in 2022. Gas-powered vehicles continue to outperform EVs with significantly higher ranges and greater towing capacity, and they are less susceptible to issues caused by severe weather conditions. Electric vehicles lose 40 percent of their range in cold weather. We are going to put all of our kids on electric schoolbuses in northern States in wintertime and hope they get to their destination okay. If they don't, the bus is not going to have enough power to keep the children warm until they get a rescue vehicle out there. The lack of vehicle charging infrastructure in many parts of the country, especially rural areas, makes electric vehicles impractical. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Secretary of Energy for so eloquently demonstrating that fact last week. Rampant EV expansion could overwhelm the electric grid and compromise grid reliability, which would result in blackouts and other issues. We had a really hot summer in Texas. It made the newspapers in several locations. Good news--solar energy did supply the grid with a lot of solar power. Here is a news flash for you, and you can't make this stuff up. The Sun goes down every night. Just when everyone is getting home and plugging in their electric vehicles, or maybe their electric schoolbuses, and they come in the back door and: Oh, my gosh, this house is hotter than Hades. Crank up the AC, and guess what? The Sun set. Solar power is offline. The grid can't handle it. That is a dangerous situation. Finally, as the gentleman from Minnesota pointed out to us so eloquently, China controls the vast majority of the mining, processing, and manufacturing of critical minerals for electric vehicles, including 75 percent of lithium-ion batteries, as well as the processing and refining capacity for over half of the world's lithium, cobalt, and graphite. The administration unwisely prohibited mining in the northern range of Minnesota, so the administration was all too eager to go to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and employ child slave labor in order to get those critical elements. I thank my fellow members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for bringing us this important piece of legislation to begin to roll back some of the damage that President Biden has placed on the middle class. I don't know why this administration has declared war on the middle class, but they have, and it has been, unfortunately, readily apparent every day since Inauguration Day 2021. Republicans remain united in pursuing a legislative agenda that puts the welfare of the American people above the special interests of a few. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the rule and support the underlying legislation. The material previously referred to by Ms. Leger Fernandez is as follows: An Amendment to H. Res. 681 Offered by Ms. Leger Fernandez of New Mexico At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 2. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the resolution (H. Res. 178) affirming the House of Representatives' commitment to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. The resolution shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the resolution and preamble to adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of the question except one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means or their respective designees. Sec. 3. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of H. Res. 178.

Ms. BURGESS

Ms. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy), a valuable member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 681 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 681, providing for consideration of H.R. 1435. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1435 under a closed rule with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, or their designees. The rule does provide one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying bill. Today, the Republican majority continues to stand between President Biden and Democrats in Congress and their disastrous policies that they want to inflict on the American public. Mr. Speaker, this bill is pretty simple: Republicans are for consumer choice. Democrats, apparently, are not. Democrats don't like it when consumers have choices. It seems that our friends across the aisle, however well intentioned they may be, are a bit squeamish about leaving choices in the hands of consumers because, Mr. Speaker, in their heart of hearts, they don't trust consumers. They think they will make the wrong choice. The tendency amongst my Democratic friends is emblematic of the larger liberal movement. That perspective, Mr. Speaker, can be distilled succinctly: The general population requires guidance and directions from elites, who are more enlightened, to prevent them from making decisions that contradict progressive principles. Mr. Speaker, I applaud my good friend from Pennsylvania, Dr. Joyce, for standing between the Democrats and their central planners and protecting American consumers. Without this bill, Mr. Speaker, California and other Democratic States could effectively ban internal combustion engines for all Americans, regardless of where they reside. This is not what the Founders intended when they designed our federalist system. A de facto ban on the internal combustion engine is the point, Mr. Speaker. President Biden and his surrogates in the Democratic Party said: to end fossil fuels as we know them. Shame on us if we don't take the Democrats at their word when they say things like that. I understand that my friend and fellow member of the Rules Committee, who I have the privilege of debating today on the floor, will likely tell us the standards that California is looking to implement are the prerogative of California. In most circumstances, I would agree with that, but this isn't most circumstances, Mr. Speaker. What California is trying to do is to usher in a de facto ban on the internal combustion engine nationwide. I give my friends across the aisle credit for their cunning. Democrats have known that several States are aligned with California in such a manner that allows California to set vehicle emission standards that other States must then follow. Why any State would surrender its own sovereignty to another is not consistent with this country's founding, but that debate, Mr. Speaker, is for another day. This is why we Republicans, particularly Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee, oppose State attempts to ban the internal combustion engine. This will adversely affect all Americans. Mr. Speaker, California's waiver is a Trojan horse. What Democrats can't win at the ballot box, they intend to farm out to their friends in Federal agencies. California is part of America but does not speak for the whole of America. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Aurora as the residents gather to celebrate the dedication of their new City Hall. This proud Wise County community has a story that has historically overshadowed its population, but I am confident it has only begun to realize its potential. Named by William W.O. Stanfield, the name ``Aurora'' was chosen to represent the settler's perspective that it ``was the dawn of something luminous and beautiful in the new land.'' Looking back in time, Aurora's history reflects his vision. Through a history that includes a thriving western settler community, stories involving alien sightings and a reported crash and burial site, a Marine Air Base and recent challenges that have led to the construction of their new City Hall, Aurora's story is rich and compelling. However, as we look to the future, it is clear that the opportunities, located at the edge of what is currently the fastest-growing region of our country, remain almost as limitless as any that Mr. Stanfield could have imagined. Endowed with attentive and responsible leaders, served by a top-rated public school system and located at the juncture of a growing traffic flow, Aurora's dawn with the celebration of this new City Hall is bright with opportunity for both current and future residents. I am encouraged by the resilience of this community and honored to represent this historic Wise County gem as a part of the 26th Congressional District of Texas. I offer these remarks and a commemorative flag in celebration of the City's current leadership and accomplishments. I share their commitment and I am honored to contribute my efforts toward their success in dutifully representing this community I am blessed to serve on behalf of our Nation's Capitol.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Officer Urbano Rodriguez, Jr., a dedicated civil servant who is retiring from the Denton Police Department, having honorably served his community for over a decade. Prior to joining the Police Department, Urban, as he is fondly known, worked for over two years at the Denton Animal Shelter. During that time he bonded with one particular disabled dog, personally constructing a makeshift walking device that was equipped with wheels to a11ow the dog to walk freely. This act of compassion and needs-based service is symbolic of the character and calling that quickly led him to leave the shelter to become a Police recruit for the City in 2014. Upon completion of his training, Urban joined the front lines of the Denton Police Department as a part of the thin blue line protecting the public he had committed to serve. He knew from the outset that he belonged on the streets. Recognized as a ``go-getter'' with a strong work ethic, Urban quickly became a valued member of the Denton PD team. During his service he was involved in a number of notable traffic stops, including a large and unexpected confiscation of methamphetamine. Through the dedication and effort he and his shift partners brought to the streets, he helped disrupt a damaging delivery. protecting the community by preventing it from reaching its intended market. Urban was confronted with the full weight of his commitment when, on October 29, 2019, as a five-year veteran of the Denton Police Department, he was unexpectedly attacked and struck by multiple bullets from an assailant's weapon during a routine traffic stop. It was at that moment that Urban's inner strength and character were defined. Unimaginably, he survived the trauma, beginning the long, difficult path to become the walking miracle he is today. When many felt it unlikely that he would even leave the hospital, Urban's strength and resolve led him through a challenging rehabilitation process to not only leave the hospital bed, but push beyond the damage of his injuries to regain his strength and mobility to once again walk freely. An outcome that seemed a fantasy to those who saw him during his initial recovery less than four years ago, is a testament to the enthusiasm and determined work ethic he was known for when he joined the department. In his service commitment to the community he swore to protect, and through the courage he has shown through his recovery, Urban embodies the very essence of Texas values. Each day he is continuing to build the example for those who will follow in his footsteps. On behalf of a grateful community, I want to thank Urban Rodriguez for his service and example. I truly wish him the very best in a well- deserved retirement and for the continued contribution I know he will make in his new role and as an inspiration for his children and all who hear of his story.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, today I stand to commemorate a momentous milestone in the history of North Texas. It is with great excitement that we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system, a creation that has continued to link our communities together over the years. Four decades ago, in 1983, a vision was born to transform the Dallas Regional Transport system--a limited municipal bus system--into a well- developed transportation network that would connect our neighborhoods, bridge distances, and bring people closer together. Today, we stand with great appreciation for that dream as the DART has served not only as a system of trains but also to unify the metropolitan area. Throughout its history, the transport system started as a small rail line of just 65 miles that connected Denison to Downtown Dallas. Moving forward, the rail line served a greater purpose than just transporting people, but also worked to transport the workers and materials that have helped advance the development of our beloved North Texas communities. Today, this system boasts over 90 miles of track, making it one of the longest light rails in the United States. DART not only has connected people across the community but has also continued to serve as a means of promoting economic growth by providing greater access to local businesses. I stand here today to celebrate the accomplishments we have seen over the past 40 years; it is important to continue to look forward. As the greater Dallas area continues to grow and evolve, DART will continue to serve not just as a train but as a means to connect our community. Congratulations on 40 years.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Muenster State Bank on their 100th Anniversary, celebrating their opening to serve North Texans on July 2, 1923. Early in 1923, a group of local leaders from the small German Catholic community of Muenster, Texas decided that if the town of less than 450 residents was going to continue to grow and prosper, a bank was necessary. This group, made up of businessmen and farmers, met in J.W. Meurer's hardware store to request that J.W. take on a leadership role in the formation of this new bank. The group was apprehensive that the required funds could be raised to supply the necessary capital and deposits, considering that the previous private bank had already failed twice. Assured that adequate stock could be sold, the group prevailed upon Mr. Meurer to continue in his leadership role and to take charge of the organization and operation of the bank. They looked for additional assistance and discovered through interviews that experienced bankers could be found but were unaffordable for this new bank venture. Mr. Meurer knew his brother-in-law, J.M. Weinzapfel, had the business acumen required and was available, but at the time lived over 60 miles away in Windthorst, Texas. Upon being offered the job, Mr. Weinzapfel moved to Muenster to assist with the necessary paperwork to secure a charter and future operations. The original 21 stockholders in the bank successfully raised $19,250.00 in total capital to obtain the State Charter and on Friday, June 29, 1923, the State of Texas granted them Bank Charter No. 1400. On the following Monday of July 2, 1923, the bank opened for business, providing Mr. Weinzapfel the foundation and community from which he would devote the remainder of his business life. In the early years growth was slow. Nonetheless, the bank has generated an annual profit since inception, and has paid dividends in all but 2 years. Over the past century, through good and bad economic times, periods of war, and uncertainty such as 2 robberies and 1 attempted robbery, the officers and staff persevered, ensuring continued growth and prosperity along with the community it served. As a combination of a century's dedication and hard work by bank staff members and the loyalty and confidence customers have placed in the institution, Muenster State Bank has grown to $213 million in total assets as of the end of 2022, generating $3.5 million in net income and paying out $2.1 million in shareholder distributions. Recently, Muenster State Bank's current president, Robert Weinzapfel, read the following communication to today's shareholders that then bank president, J.M. Weinzapfel, had written in 1942. Despite being written 81 years ago, it still rings true today. ``The bank organized and opened July 2nd, 1923 and never failed to pay a regular dividend each year since then. The Officers and Directors have been faithful to their trust and were influential in the promotion and development of many enterprising and successful business institutions in Muenster. Our record of unusual service rendered to our patrons city, community, state and nation is reflected in the bank's growth. With resources now near \1/2\ million dollars, we believe that the plan to increase the capital is in keeping with the sound and conservative policy that has characterized the bank throughout its history. The achievements enumerated are an expressed tribute and reflect in memory to the untiring efforts and fidelity of the original officers, directors, stockholders and patrons that are still with us and those who have passed on to their reward.'' As a part of our independent banking system, Muenster State Bank is a special part of our U.S. community banking system that is committed to supporting and investing to serve their local communities. I join the Muenster State Bank Stakeholders in looking back on the past century of community service, celebrating their accomplishments, and looking forward to the trust, community, and financial security they will continue to provide into their next century of operations.