Brian Babin

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I thank my fellow co-chair, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs) for sponsoring this Special Order hour with me. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce tonight's Special Order. We are going to be discussing Kamala Harris' tenure and her appalling record as the Biden border czar. In this role, Harris has worked not to secure the border of America but instead to deliberately dismantle our borders and put our Nation's safety and sovereignty at grave risk. Her intentional negligence has exacerbated the largest illegal alien invasion in history, one probably not seen since the ancient Romans were overrun by the Germanic hordes in the 3rd century leading to its downfall, an invasion that continues to ravage our communities and our pocketbooks while creating avenues of entry for dangerous individuals who are bent on inflicting harm to Americans and our American way of life. Since 2021, more than 350 suspected terrorists have been encountered attempting to cross our southern border. We know at least 99 illegal alien individuals from the FBI's terrorist watch list have been released into the United States after being in the custody of Customs and Border Patrol. How does this happen? Shockingly, many of these vile criminals are earning their golden ticket into our country through the Biden-Harris administration's corrupt and dangerous CBP One app; in reality, an illegal granting of parole, by the way. Since day one, this administration has viciously striven to reverse all of Donald Trump's effective border policies, remove vetting protocols for asylum seekers, hand out public benefits to illegals, and actively hinder States from safeguarding their own borders and citizens. My own, the Lone Star State of Texas, is one of them. Border czar Kamala Harris has overseen it all and must be held accountable. It doesn't take a national security expert, or even a policymaker, for that matter, to comprehend that by dissolving our borders, we expose ourselves to countless threats from all over the planet. Clearly, Harris does not care about the consequences of her own policies. In fact, she and the liberal media would rather deny that she ever held the title of border czar. She is using semantics to pull the wool over our eyes, but the American people see right through it. Tonight, you will hear how border czar Harris has failed every State, city, community, and citizen of our country; how her reckless policies have led to the death or victimization of countless Americans at the hands of the illegal aliens that she has funneled into our Nation; and how communities and families have been devastated by the costs and deadly drugs being smuggled across the border. Madam Speaker, make no mistake about it. This is a self-made border crisis that Kamala Harris has gone out of her way to create, and now the safety of our Nation is in jeopardy. She knows this, just as her boss does, and yet the only action we have seen is her running away from the consequences of her own failures. My colleagues and I refuse to let her get away with it.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend, Beaumont Police Chief James ``Jimmy'' Singletary, who is retiring after a long, distinguished career in law enforcement. Chief Singletary was born on January 27, 1948, to parents John and Melba Singletary in Beaumont, Texas. A lifelong resident of Beaumont, he attended Beaumont High School, where he secured a scholarship to Lamar University. He earned many accolades during his years on the Lamar University men's golf team, including four straight Southland Conference Championships, a Southland Conference Individual Championship in 1969, and back-to-back NCAA Division II National Championships in 1967 and 1968. After graduating from Lamar University in 1971, Chief Singletary began his 53-year law enforcement career by joining the Beaumont Police Department, where he moved through the ranks from patrol officer to lieutenant. As a lieutenant, he oversaw seven different divisions, including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics and Vice, Training and Personnel, Drug Enforcement Task Force, Special Weapons and Tactics, and Internal Affairs. Chief Singletary retired for the first time from the Beaumont Police Department after 30 years and accepted a position with the Department of Justice as the Law Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Texas. In 2002, he joined the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department as a major and was a member of the Narcotics Task Force and commander of the SWAT team. In 2009, he was assigned to the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force, where he worked with local agencies on violent crimes and major federal cases. In 2011, Chief Singletary was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the Beaumont Police Department. His mission was to increase the department's local outreach, educate the public, and build trust between citizens and law enforcement to create a safer community for all residents. Under his leadership, community programs like the Police Community Advisory Committee, Citizen's Police Academy, Cops & Kids, Clergy and Police Partnership, Police Explorers, Youth Academy for Law Enforcement, and Practicum in Policing flourished. Chief Singletary is also an avid family man. He met his late wife, Tammy, when they both played in a coed softball league. They welcomed their only child, Hallie, in 1988, and I am confident that he is looking forward to spending much time in his retirement with his daughter and grandson, Wyatt Justice, who is the apple of his eye. He has always been best known amongst his family and friends for his selflessness and for always taking the time to help those in need. I have known Chief Singletary for many years. Even as a young man, he displayed an incredible depth of character that undoubtedly played a vital role in his journey to becoming such an upstanding public servant. It is my sincere honor to congratulate Chief Singletary on his exemplary law enforcement career and thank him for his dedicated and courageous service to the citizens of Beaumont, Texas. May God bless him in his future endeavors.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Utah, Mr. Moore, for having this Special Order, which is so important. Mr. Speaker, if it was not abundantly clear already to the American people before, it certainly is now. Democrats want noncitizens to vote in our Federal elections. They can't deny it now. There is no other way to spin this. They want to allow noncitizens to vote. They are certainly no longer even hiding that fact anymore. Today, we voted on the SAVE Act, a bill that requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in Federal elections and provides States with access to existing Federal databases so that they can clean up their voter registration rolls and remove noncitizens and even dead people from the rolls. It is a commonsense bill that nearly 80 percent of voters are in support of. Yet, my colleagues across the aisle refused to support it. Why is this? Well, the truth is simple. It is un-American, and as ridiculous and as outlandish as it is, the Democrats want foreign nationals to decide our Nation's elections, and they want them voting in their favor. This is not a conspiracy. This is not a theory. This is a fact. Hundreds of noncitizens are already registered to vote in local elections right here in Washington, D.C., alone, but the left doesn't know when to stop. It isn't enough to dismantle our national security by implementing open-border policies that give our adversaries easier access to the United States. It isn't enough to blindly catch and release millions of unvetted illegal aliens and criminals and suspected terrorists all on the taxpayer's dime. It isn't even enough that Americans are dying at the hands of those illegal border crossers or by the deadly drugs that they smuggle into the country by the hundreds of thousands every single day. Every year, over 100,000 Americans are dying of overdoses. Joe Biden could end the illegal invasion taking place in my home State of Texas and other border States overnight, but, instead, the President and his party continue to twist the knife taking the border crisis one step further and eroding our most precious right as Americans, and that is the right to vote, the sacred right to vote. Republicans will not stand by, I can tell you this, and allow this lawless travesty to unfold and one-party rule to take root in the United States of America. The SAVE Act is critical to safeguard election integrity, something today's progressive Democrats clearly oppose. Is this even the same Democratic Party that I remember from just a few decades ago, much less 50 years ago? It seems to have gone off the rails into the far-left Marxist arena and realm now. I ask American citizens to please take note, take note of these Democrats that are voting against this bill and our President's foolish promise to veto it. Yes, your eyes are not lying. They did. We are witnessing an attempt by the Democratic Party to simply hijack U.S. elections on a permanent basis. We cannot ever allow this to happen. If the grand experiment that is the United States of America is to continue for another 248 years, we must act now to ensure that only Americans can vote in American elections. The law is clear. Only U.S. citizens can vote. Why do the Democrats not want voters to prove that they are U.S. citizens when they register and vote?

Mr. BABIN. Amen.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Moore) for this Special Order, and what a special time it is. As the son of a World War II vet myself who was in the Pacific, and as a former Army enlisted troop and former Army Air Force officer myself stationed in Germany during the seventies, it is a great honor that I have the opportunity to read a letter written by a World War II and D-day veteran, U.S. Army Major Ellsworth Hill, written to his family back home on June 14, 1944: Dear Florence, Barbara, and Nancy, this one letter to all three will have to suffice for the time being for there is scarcely an idle moment to write. When there is an idle moment, I usually am so tired that I just fall asleep. Today, however, I have had some time to myself and have been far enough away from activities to really enjoy myself. As you may surmise, I am somewhere in France--just where is, of course, not to be disclosed, but as the papers have carried the story of D-day, you know that it was on the coast of Normandy. The going for the past week has been quite rugged, particularly for an old man like myself, but I have found that I could keep up with the youngsters. You should have received a letter from me dated June 5, but nothing has been written in the meantime. All the things incident to the landing on the beaches and the first few days here can be left for future communication. What can be said now would hardly do justice to what happened. Maybe as things develop, I can write you of my own experiences. It so happened that I went over with the first attachment of the Advance Section, and because of that, I have had a bird's-eye view, or should I say a foxhole view, of this show. The magnitude of it is beyond all comprehension. For the past week, I have been living in a pup tent--that is, when we have had a chance to even pitch it. I sleep on the ground, and I mean sleep. Tottering around with a pack, side arms, and K rations through the country and up and down hills has been pretty strenuous exercise. By way of diversion, there is an occasional air raid or some artillery shelling of the roads that we are traveling on. Fortunately, the weather has been marvelous. Only one day of rain, and that wasn't too bad. When I stop to think of it, I find that I am feeling pretty marvelously well and am really in good physical shape. The spot where our camp is located right now is in a very picturesque country. I don't know whether Mummy has been in this part of Normandy, but if she has, she can tell you how pretty these French farms are. Tonight, I had the first cooked meal in over a week. I went up to a little French cafe in a small village and, believe it or not, had a steak, French fried potatoes, strawberries, and a bottle of wine all for 100 francs, about $2. I am enclosing a 5 Franc note for Nancy's collection of whatnots. The people here are getting excited over what they say is their liberation. As one drives through the villages, they chase and wave, and every farmer wants to give you wine, but with it all, there has been destruction. Some of the most beautiful chateaus have been devastated, and whole families have been made homeless. Because I can tell you so little about what is going on and because I am sleepy, I will stop here. All I really wanted to say was that I am well and not to have any worries about me. With love to you all, and a word that I will write as often as circumstances permit, Old Man Hill. What an eye-opening letter. Folks, no one but those who were there can truly understand what our D-day and World War II veterans went through, what they saw, and what they felt. I agree with Major Hill. Without seeing it firsthand, it is nearly impossible to comprehend. However, what we can do is continue to honor the sacrifices and the memories of these World War II vets who went into Europe to fight for our freedoms and memories. To the D-day and World War II veterans still with us today, we may never be able to repay your debt, but I pray that we never miss an opportunity to say thank you.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my long- time friend, Ira Lloyd ``Tookie'' Kirkham of Tarkington Prairie, Texas, who passed away on April 29, 2024. Tookie dutifully served the residents of Liberty County for twelve years as county judge before retiring in 2006. He was a patriarch in the surrounding community, a wonderful mentor to many, a fantastic athlete, and a devoted public servant. Tookie was born on August 26, 1942, in Cleveland, Texas, to Ira Joe Kirkham and Bobbie Chapman Kirkham. The family later moved to Tarkington Prairie, where Tookie attended Tarkington High School, excelling in many different sports. His athletic accomplishments in high school earned him nine college scholarships, a state championship in the high jump, and All-State honors in football and basketball. After graduation in 1961, Tookie attended the University of Corpus Christi on a basketball scholarship. Nevertheless, he remained a staunch supporter of Tarkington ISD and Tarkington athletics for the rest of his life. Following college, Tookie accepted a job as a lineman with Southwestern Bell but soon moved on to work at Jefferson Chemical before spending many years at Texaco. During that time, he also started a second career in public service, beginning with an appointment on the Dairy Day Board in 1968. Tookie went on to hold many other public service positions, including serving on the Tarkington School Board, the Cleveland Bank and Trust Board of Directors, the Soil and Water Conservation District, the Trinity River Board, and the Yettie-Kersting Hospital Board. He was also an involved member and leader at Oak Shade Baptist Church, the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the Cleveland Rotary Club, and the Tarkington Prairie Masonic Lodge No. 498. However, the crescendo of his public service career occurred when Tookie was elected as Liberty County Judge in 1994, the first person to ever do so from Tarkington Prairie. Throughout his tenure in this position, Tookie remained committed to bringing jobs and industry to Liberty County. He championed many transportation projects in the area, promoted fiscally conservative policies, and worked to help juveniles turn their lives around. In retirement, Tookie's role in local politics was advisor and counselor to many elected officials, often filling in as a substitute judge for surrounding Southeast Texas county judges. One of Tookie's legacy projects was the State Highway 105 relief route bypass in Cleveland. For his work securing contracts, right-of-way, and funding, the Texas Department of Transportation honored him with its prestigious Road Hand Award in 2012. Tookie married his high school sweetheart, Cordella Price Kirkham, in 1964 and had two daughters, Kem and Kehle. His four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life. Mr. Speaker, I will always appreciate Judge Ira Lloyd ``Tookie'' Kirkham's support and friendship over the years. I send my deepest sympathy and prayers to his wife, Cordella, and loved ones. He will certainly be missed by all.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 272, the Astronaut Safe Temporary Ride Options Act, or, for short, the ASTRO Act. As the bill's sponsor, I thank Chairman Comer for his help in getting the bill to the floor. One of the great honors of serving as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics is having the opportunity to meet our astronauts preparing to go to space and to hear from them after they return from their missions. The ASTRO Act is a result of these conversations and NASA's advocacy for increased astronaut safety. The brave men and women who wear the iconic blue flight suit risk their lives to advance America's leadership in space. We owe it to them to ensure that when they return from long-duration space missions, their recovery and health studies are not hampered by bureaucracy. The space environment poses significant medical issues, such as osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, broken bones from reentry, vision and ocular changes, and disrupted equilibrium, which prevent astronauts from being able to drive when they come back home. However, NASA astronauts' participation in physiological research and longitudinal studies upon their return from space informs future exploration efforts and how we treat future astronauts. It is imperative that they get these things checked. The ASTRO Act streamlines the approval process for astronauts to receive transportation to and from their homes and the Johnson Space Center for doctor visits until they are medically cleared to resume driving. There are no costs associated with this bill but, rather, a significant paperwork reduction in the approval process. Additionally, my bill provides transparency by requiring NASA to send an annual report to Congress on how this authority is used in the future. Astronauts' health data acquired by the Johnson Space Center upon return from space is invaluable. This bill ensures hassle-free transportation to and from these important medical evaluations so that we can appropriately study the impacts of space exploration on the human body. As we prepare to go to the Moon and farther to Mars and beyond, it is incumbent upon us to streamline operations to enable discovery and innovation. America has long been the leader in space exploration, and we must remain there. We will continue to push the bounds of our universe outward. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Jeff Jackson for cosponsoring this legislation bipartisanly as well as Chairman Comer and Chairman Lucas for their support. I urge my colleagues to please support this bill.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the admirable career of retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer Phillip Boone. Phillip was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1958 to Samuel and Mary Boone. After graduating from West Charlotte High School in 1975, Phillip immediately enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. His first assignment was aboard the U.S.S. Eisenhower, where he performed operations on the flight deck, catapulting and arresting military aircraft--one of the most dangerous jobs on a carrier. During his time in the Navy, Phillip sailed the world aboard four additional aircraft carriers and one amphibious assault ship, the U.S.S. Wasp. In 1986, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer, and in 1988, he earned his commission as a Warrant Officer. After 25 years of honorable service, Phillip retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, having led thousands of sailors, managed budgets upwards of five million dollars, and went on ten peacekeeping and five combat deployments, including to the Persian Gulf and Grenada. His exemplary service earned Phillip the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal three times, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and many other personal and unit citations. Following his retirement, Phillip became a Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC) instructor and used the position to motivate young men and women to join the armed services. For more than 23 years, he trained, taught, and mentored class after class of our Nation's youth, preparing them to take on life's challenges, whether they went on to join the military or not. His NJROTC cadets have logged tens of thousands of community service hours and won countless awards for military drill and marksmanship. In 2019, he was nominated for the Beaumont Foundation of America's prestigious ``Wayne E. Reaud Excellence in Education Award,'' recognizing his outstanding service as an educator. That same year, he was also named Beaumont Independent School District's ``Teacher of the Year.'' It is a privilege to sincerely thank Chief Warrant Officer Boone for his exemplary service in the United States Navy and for his role in educating new generations of Americans. I offer my congratulations on his retirement, and I wish him and his family all the best in the future.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Kountze, Texas, on its 150th year of ministry to the families and residents of Hardin County. Pine Ridge Baptist Church was chartered in 1874 by Rev. D.M. Jordan and his wife, Becky; W.J. Jordan; George B. Jordan and his wife, Sultana; Jessie Jordan and his wife, Missouri; Jordan Daniels; Rev. J.W. Teel and his wife, Milley; Mandy Jordan Shaw Cotton; Mary Jane Jordan Teel; Aletha Laird Herrington; and Thomas Laird. Land for the new church was donated by Rev. D.M. Jordan and constructed out of rough pine lumber. In its early years, homemade benches lined the walls for seating, handmade quilts were placed on the floor so children could relax or sleep during longer sermons, and church baptisms were held in Little Pine Island Bayou. Following Rev. Jordan's death in 1906, his son-in-law, Rev. J.W. Teel, took on the role, and Pine Ridge has been led by many devoted pastors since. The church congregation has also grown exponentially over the past 150 years, with membership currently at 240 believers. Pine Ridge owes much of its preserved history to a man named Nathan G. Jordan, who joined the church in the late 1890s. While serving as the church's second clerk, Nathan's meticulous recordkeeping is responsible for the many documents, obituaries, meeting minutes, and biographical information of the area's early settlers and church members still available today. Over the past 150 years, the church and its congregation have been unwavering in their commitment to sharing the good news of salvation with all who seek to know God. With its long history of service and leadership to the community, Pine Ridge Baptist Church continues to uphold the ideals and traditions of its founders. I offer my most sincere congratulations on this significant milestone and wish them continued prosperity as they keep to their mission of serving the community as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of longtime Texas lawman and my good friend, Texas Ranger Robert ``Brandon'' Bess. On February 29, 2024, he hung up his signature Stetson cowboy hat and un-pinned the legendary Cinco Peso Ranger badge for the last time. Brandon is a native of Kirbyville, Texas, and graduated from Kirbyville High School in 1990. He earned a degree in criminal justice 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 Rusk County Sherriff's Office. In 1995, Brandon joined the Texas Department of Public Safety, where he served as a Highway Patrol Trooper from 1995 to 2005 and as a Sergeant and Special Agent in Criminal Intelligence from 2005 to 2013. In July 2013, he joined the prestigious Texas Rangers, the oldest law enforcement organization on the North Amencan continent with statewide jurisdiction. Since April 2021, he has served as the Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program ``cold case'' Ranger for Texas Ranger Company ``A,'' encompassing thirty-five Southeast Texas counties. Brandon worked on countless major criminal investigations throughout the Lone Star State for the Ranger Division during his distinguished career. He perfected the use of DNA tracing and other cutting-edge technologies to bring multiple criminals to justice, often many years after the case was considered cold. It has been a privilege to assist him in cutting through the federal bureaucracy for several of these cases. Brandon married his wife, Mary Beth, on March 13, 1999. Together, they share children Marshall, Walker, and Mattie. The Bess family are active members of Anahuac Methodist Church, where Brandon has served as a Sunday School teacher, on multiple committees, and currently chairs the church's Board of Stewards. Additionally, he is a cancer survivor and veteran of the United States Army Reserve and National Guard. Mr. Speaker, in its two-hundred-year history, only the finest law enforcement officers have had the honor of calling themselves Texas Rangers. I am proud that Ranger Brandon Bess is among them. I wish him, Mary Beth, and their family all the best in the next chapter of their lives.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of a longtime Texas lawman, constituent, and good friend, Texas Ranger Robert ``Brandon'' Bess. 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 native of Kirbyville, Texas, and graduated from Kirbyville High School in 1990. He earned a degree in criminal justice from Kilgore College before attending 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 Rusk County Sheriff's Office. In 1995, Brandon joined the Texas Department of Public Safety where he served as a highway patrol trooper from 1995 to 2005 and as a sergeant and special agent in criminal intelligence from 2005 to 2013. In July 2013, he joined the prestigious Texas Rangers, the oldest law enforcement organization on the North American Continent with statewide jurisdiction. Since April 2021, he has served as the Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program Ranger, ``cold case,'' for Texas Ranger Company A, encompassing 35 southeast Texas counties, where he has done a marvelous job. Brandon worked on countless criminal investigations throughout the Lone Star State for the ranger division during his distinguished career. He perfected the use of DNA tracing and other cutting-edge technologies to bring multiple criminals to justice finally, often many years after the case was considered cold. It has been a great privilege to assist him in cutting through the Federal bureaucracy for several of those cases. Brandon married his wife, Mary Beth, on March 13, 1999. Together they share children, Marshall, Walker, and Mattie. The Bess family are active members of Anahuac Methodist Church, where Brandon has served as a Sunday school teacher, on multiple committees, and currently chairs the church's 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 200-year history, only the very finest law enforcement officers have had the great honor of calling themselves Texas Rangers. I am proud that Ranger Brandon Bess is among them. I wish him, Mary Beth, and their family the very best in the next chapter of their lives, and I look forward to working with him in the future as well.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 6542.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Utah for yielding. I appreciate it. Tonight, I am going to talk about the fitness of our President. Mr. Speaker, ``a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,'' these were the words used by Special Counsel Robert Hur to describe Joe Biden, the President of the world's greatest and most powerful Nation. They are also the justification for why no criminal charges are being pursued for Joe Biden's willful mishandling of classified documents. Just so that we are clear: The Justice Department is going to let Biden off the hook because he is old and now has a bad memory, and yet continue its aggressive persecution of Donald J. Trump because he is, what, 2 years younger and still mentally with it? Most of those in this country will agree with me when I say, as we say in Texas: that dog won't hunt. The left screams that no one is above the law. I guess they mean no one but Democrat families like the Bidens and the Clintons. Americans are fed up with the double standard of justice repeatedly displayed by our Nation's top law enforcement authority at the Department of Justice. We are witnessing blatant, government weaponization. It is despicable and must not be tolerated. If Joe Biden's mental capacity is too diminished to stand before a jury as the opposition has made Donald Trump do numerous times, then he is clearly unfit to serve as our Commander in Chief. America is a global superpower--the strongest, most capable country in world history. Nearly 250 years' worth of blood, sweat, and tears were the cost of this historic status, but today, our adversaries are watching our leader fail miserably at home and abroad. While our enemies are hard at work exploiting this President's numerous weaknesses, the entire world is taking note as Biden turns the United States into an international laughingstock. Mr. Speaker, leadership is everything. As Alexander the Great once said: It is not an army of lions led by a sheep that I fear; it is an army of sheep led by a lion. The American people deserve better from our highest office, and for the sake of our Nation's survival, we need a mentally sound President that we can rely on.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Space Center Houston President and Chief Executive Officer William T. Harris on receiving the prestigious Quasar Award for Economic Development Excellence from the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. William was named the President and CEO of Space Center Houston in 2019 and has since overseen and worked to ensure its continued success. As the Official Visitor Center of the Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston is the top attraction for international visitors in the Houston area. Last year, it welcomed around 1.3 million guests, provided more than 1,700 jobs, and generated an annual economic impact of $118.7 million. Apart from his role in making sure Space Center Houston thrives, William has held many nonprofit leadership positions in museums and universities nationwide for more than 39 years. He currently serves as the immediate past chair on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Association of Science and Technology Centers, on the QueensCare Charitable Board, as Board Vice President of the Association of Science Museum Directors, on the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Partnership, among others. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate William Harris on receiving this recognition and commend his dedication to STEM education and work to inspire generations of future pioneers in space.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of longtime Texas lawman, Major Grover Franklin Huff. Since 2018, Major Huff has served as the Company Commander of Company ``A,'' which encompasses a thirty-five-county area bordered to the east by Louisiana, to the south by the Texas Gulf Coast, and to the north and west by Companies ``F'' and ``B.'' On January 31, 2024, Major Huff will hang up the signature cowboy hat and un-pin his fifty-peso Ranger badge for the last time. Major Huff was born to Allen and Beatrice Huff on February 2, 1962, in Orange, Texas. He graduated from West Orange-Stark High School in 1980 and attended Lamar University. He then enrolled in the Jefferson County Jail Academy and the Lamar University Police Academy, graduating in 1985. Before joining the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Major Huff began his lengthy career in law enforcement, serving with the Orange County Sherriff's Office and the Bridge City Police Department. In 1989, Major Huff attended DPS Recruit School as part of Class A-89 and was inducted as a state trooper on February 16, 1990. On June 1, 1997, Major Huff joined the prestigious Texas Rangers, the oldest law enforcement organization on the North American continent with statewide jurisdiction. His fellow Rangers have characterized Major Huff as a ``Ranger's Ranger.'' He is known as an expert in crime scene processing and has taught advanced criminal investigation courses to state, local, federal, and even foreign law enforcement officers. Over the past four decades, his work has resulted in the conviction of numerous violent criminals, justice for countless families, and safer Texas communities. Major Huff, however, has said that his greatest accomplishment has been overseeing the development of new Rangers and their promotion through the ranks of the storied law enforcement agency. Mr. Speaker, in its two-hundred-year history, only the finest law enforcement officers have had the honor of calling themselves Texas Rangers. I am proud that Major Grover Franklin Huff is among them. I wish him, his wife, Diane, and their family all the best in the next chapter of their life.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I very much thank my good friend from Utah for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, in all the years of my life, never would I ever have imagined that I would witness an American President using every resource available to him to unravel American national security, but that is our reality. Since Joe Biden's very first day in office, the American people have watched him repeatedly and deliberately turn a blind eye to the border crisis unfolding down at our southern border and even up in our northern border. As a result of his negligence, millions and millions of illegal aliens, including cartel members, terror suspects, human traffickers, deadly drugs, illicit weapons, and more, much more, have been allowed to enter the Nation freely with fatal results for tens of thousands of American citizens, and even the migrants themselves. Monthly illegal alien apprehension all-time records have been set and then broken under this administration, which is by the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' own admission, releasing upwards of 85 percent of those unlawfully crossing the border into the interior of the U.S.--85 percent of those apprehended at the border are released into the country. More than 242,400 illegals were encountered crossing the southern border last November, a 236 percent increase from November 2020, roughly the population of Scottsdale, Arizona. I would give an appropriate metaphor for December's historic border apprehensions, which reportedly have surpassed 302,000, but the administration has yet to make those public. Knowing this, the President and his cronies would still have us believe that the southern border is somehow secure, which leads me to think that either they do not know the definition of the word ``secure,'' or they think the American people are stupid. My bet is on the latter, especially when you look at the dramatic dip in illegal border crossings this month. We were at the border 2 weeks ago with our Speaker and inexplicably before we got there, numbers had dropped mysteriously. The White House would most likely have you believe that this decline in daily border encounters is the outcome of policy change, but Americans are not stupid. This is nothing more than another facade to fool the public into thinking that the left has finally come to its senses on border security. Don't fall for it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whatever backhanded deal this administration has suddenly made with Mexico for a temporary period of time has nothing to do with your safety and everything to do with the optics surrounding a particular event taking place this November, a certain national election. The only way to end this border crisis is to implement policies that stop incentivizing illegal immigration by finishing the border wall, by ending catch and release, by closing asylum loopholes, by blocking the exploitation of the Department of Homeland Security's CBP One app, restoring interior enforcement, and more. These are all policies that this administration and congressional Democrats clearly have no intention of doing on a permanent basis whatsoever. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is this: The fate of America's sovereignty and very existence rests with its people, whose votes this November will make that determination of whether America survives as we know it; as the great beacon of freedom shining on the hill for the rest of the world to see and emulate. I will never falter. I will continue working to close the southern border and hold this administration to account.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life of my friend and longtime community leader, Pedro Cuellar ``Pete'' Alfaro of Baytown, Texas, who passed away on December 11, 2023. Pete devoted his life to public service, honorably serving as mayor of Baytown, as a city council member, on the Lee College Board of Regents, and on numerous other community and non-profit boards. He was a leader, mentor, friend, and role model to countless in the region, and leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire new generations of public servants for years to come. Pete was born August 10, 1940, to Felipe and Victoriana Alfaro. After serving in the United States Army as a basic electronics instructor at Fort Bliss for three years, Pete attended the University of Texas at Austin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1969 and was a lifetime member of the Texas Exes alum association. That same year, he began his career as an electrical engineer at Humble Oil and Refining, now ExxonMobil, where he would remain employed for the next 31 years. After being elected to the city council in 1989 where he served two terms, Pete was voted in as the first Hispanic mayor of Baytown, a position he held for 11 years. His pivotal role in infrastructure development, particularly the completion of the Fred Hartman Bridge in partnership with then-Governor George W. Bush, epitomized his dedication to building a stronger Baytown. However, his reach was not confined to the city hall, it extended to significant roles on boards such as the Lee College Board of Regents, the Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Board of Trustees, and the Patient and Family Advisory Council. After facing the devastating loss of his daughter, Debi, Pete channeled his grief into a steadfast commitment to elevating healthcare standards. Chairing the Quality and Patient Safety Steering Committee at Houston Methodist Baytown for two decades, he worked tirelessly to ensure the surrounding community received and had access to top-notch healthcare. In recognition of his efforts, the Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital dedicated its new state-of-the-art education and training facility in honor of Pete and his wife, Lupe, in May of this year. Throughout the years, Pete left a significant impact in the public and private sector. In fact, he was named the 2004 Baytown Sun newspaper's ``Citizen of the Year'' and the 2010 ExxonMobil's ``Refiner of the Year'' for his community service. Pete was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Debi Alfaro Yarborough. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Guadalupe ``Lupe'' Alfaro; daughters, Priscilla Alfaro and Sandra Rodriguez; son, Paul Alfaro; and grandchildren, Christopher, Marissa, Austin, Alexis, Mikaela, Emily, Nicholas, and Kelsey. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor the memory and legacy of Pete Alfaro. My heartfelt prayers are with his wife and loved ones during this challenging time. May Pete rest in peace knowing his tenacious efforts for the betterment of Baytown, Lee College, and the surrounding community will forever be remembered.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th birthday of First Lieutenant Abraham ``Abe'' Schnitzer of Houston, Texas, and his service as a navigator in the United States Army Air Corps during the Second World War. Mr. Schnitzer was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on August 18, 1923. After graduating from Port Arthur High School, he went to work for Bethlehem (previously called Pennsylvania) Shipyard in Beaumont, Texas. In 1942, while working as a foreman overseeing shipbuilding operations, Mr. Schnitzer felt called to quit his ``safe job'' and join the military to defend his country. He did so and was commissioned in the United States Army Air Corps. He specialized as a navigator on the B-17 Flying Fortress. He was first assigned to the 445th Bombardment Group of the 2nd Air Division of the Eighth Air Force to continue training on B-17 bombers. He was soon designated the lead navigator of the entire group and guided many bombing missions over Nazi-occupied France and Belgium. As the war continued, he was eventually placed in the B-24 Liberator, where he and his crew carried out 20 dangerous missions over Germany. In fact, his bombardment group led the first bombing mission on Berlin. American actor and icon Jimmy Stewart was one of the officers in that group, and he would join Mr. Schnitzer and the other airmen in their downtime. During his time in the European Theater, Mr. Schnitzer flew 24 combat missions and accumulated 165 combat flight hours. According to his service records, he ``navigated B-24 aircraft over land and sea by dead reckoning, pilotage, celestial, and radio navigation.'' For his military duty, Mr. Schnitzer was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, and a commendation from the French government. Interestingly, two of Mr. Schnitzer's missions over Kassel, Germany, carry personal significance, as it was the very town that his future wife and her Jewish family fled during the early years of what would be known as the Holocaust in 1937. He met Edith Isenberg as an Air Force Cadet in 1942 and sent her a daily postcard from Europe until he returned home in 1945. They were married for 68 years and had three children: Robert, Dinah, and Alan. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Abraham ``Abe'' Schnitzer, a centenarian and distinguished patriot of our great Nation. May God continue to bless Mr. Schnitzer--a proud member of the Greatest Generation.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my good friend, the gentleman from Kansas, for yielding and for this Special Order. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to imagine an administration that goes out of its way to increase our dependency on an adversarial nation hell-bent on our demise here in the United States of America. That is precisely what is happening--all because the left hates oil and gas and fossil fuels. I represent a district that is the epicenter of energy in east Texas in the greater Houston region. Communist China wishes nothing more than to see America burn to the ground, and Joe Biden's reckless demand for electric vehicles continues to give Beijing an ever-increasing advantage in seeing this quest through. Let's look at some of the facts. Nearly 80 percent of the world's cell manufacturing capacity for EV batteries is controlled by none other than Beijing, the People's Republic of China. Mr. Speaker, 75 percent of the world's lithium-ion battery megafactories are in the People's Republic of China. Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of graphite, the single largest mineral component of EV batteries, electric vehicle batteries, is refined in the People's Republic of China. Yet, if increased reliance on China isn't alarming enough, let's look at how electric vehicles are faring on the home front. Just a few weeks ago, in my own office, I had a number of car dealers from my great State of Texas visit to share the latest on EV--electric vehicle--sales. Given how much the Biden administration talks about EVs, you would think that they are selling like hotcakes. Big surprise, or maybe not, they are actually selling like $50,000 paperweights. I recently saw a great line in The Wall Street Journal: ``You can subsidize a buyer into the auto showroom, but you can't make him buy.'' The truth is that dealers can't get EVs off their lots. Texans don't want vehicles that they can't rely on. While I am a huge supporter of innovation, fully electric vehicles aren't ready for prime time, and forcing them on the American people will not change that reality. By unilaterally mandating unrealistic emission standards for vehicles in an effort to shift markets, this administration has dealt serious damage to the entire automotive sector. Unfortunately, even with this information, the White House would still force Americans to buy electric vehicles. Out of concerns for our manufacturers, dealers, national security, and, more importantly, American families, it is time for this administration to return to reality. Fossil fuels are the only reliable energy source that we have. If we stop producing and using them, we will soon be bowing the knee to the demands of Communist China.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Moore for yielding, and I congratulate him on his new position, as well. Mr. Speaker, more than 10 million illegal aliens have entered America under the negligent watch of this administration, which is a number higher than the individual population of 40 of our 50 States. It is incredible. Migrant women and children from every corner of the globe are being raped and murdered on the dangerous journey to our southern border. Americans are dying from overdoses of fentanyl and other deadly drugs that are pouring into our country at an alarming rate from Mexico. Over 100,000 Americans just last year have died of overdoses. In fact, earlier this month, I spoke with a father from my district who lost his only son to fentanyl overdose last January. While these horrible things happen to Americans, my colleagues across the aisle still dare to call Republicans immoral for wanting to build and finish the border wall, which is just one commonsense solution that can be used to eliminate the crisis claiming thousands of lives down at our southern border. Instead, they would rather abandon logic and continue to blindly accept everyone who shows up at our border without properly vetting them--criminals and all. They think that we should allow illegals to roam freely across all of our great States because they believe that one day they will be great voters for them and their party. To every American I have spoken to, enabling the death of a U.S. citizen or migrant is, without question, an immorality. Nevertheless, if the deaths aren't enough to warrant action by Democrats in Congress and the White House to secure the Nation, then how about the historic number of suspected terrorists who have been caught attempting to sneak into our country? There have been nearly 300 since Biden has taken office, Mr. Speaker, and you can bet that some, and God only knows how many, made it successfully into the interior and are planning for another 9/11-style attack on America. It is a matter of when and not if. The President knows this, DHS Secretary Mayorkas knows this, and the Democrats in this sacred Chamber know this as well, and still they do nothing to stop or even address the worsening border catastrophe that is plaguing and endangering our Nation. However, this administration seems to have no qualms whatsoever about turning the American people into second-class citizens. While law- abiding Americans deal with inflation and high prices, illegal aliens are given free transportation from the border to the city in America of their choice, free medical attention when they are hurt or get injured or are ill, free schooling for their illegal children, and much more. If that isn't enough of a disgrace, the administration is now using public schools, airports, and national parks to house illegal aliens all paid for by the taxpayers' dollars. What kind of President puts his own people last? I will tell you, Mr. Speaker. It is President Joe Biden. It will not be tolerated, which is why I am supporting H.R. 5283, to prohibit Federal funds from being used to shelter illegals on U.S. land under the jurisdiction of Federal land management agencies, illegals whom we should be deporting. I have been fighting for border security since my very first day in Congress, and I will not give up until this vital task is accomplished. This bill is a step in the right direction. Border security truly is national security, and the property and safety of U.S. citizens must always come first in my book, if it were only so with our President and the Democratic Party.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Christopher Douglas Wright and reflect on the remarkable life he lived. Though a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Chris left an impact that can be seen far and wide. Chris was born on November 13, 1984, to loving parents Greg and Janet Wright. Following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Chris attended The Baylor School in Chattanooga beginning in 1997. A significant member of the Baylor community, Chris was widely known for his versatile athleticism, academic prowess, and magnetic personality amongst his peers, friends, and teachers. His athletic achievements, which included a state championship in baseball and two-year All-State football honors, left a legacy that inspired countless future Baylor athletes. However, Chris was also not one to be outdone in the classroom as he was a highly accomplished student, excelling academically as a National Honor Society member. After high school, Chris continued his academic and athletic career at Yale University, where he was a four-year letterman and 2006 Ivy League Football Champion. A consummate gentleman and scholar, he was known and loved for his sincerity among classmates and friends. Chris further propelled his business education after Yale by attending the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he received a Master of Business Administration. Emboldened by a long-term desire to leverage his honed business acumen in his hometown, Chris returned to Chattanooga in 2016, where he most recently served as a Principal at Alderman Enterprises. I had the opportunity to meet Chris several years ago, and it was abundantly clear that he was a man who possessed a deep devotion to God and his family. He fervently loved his wife, Acacia, and their children, Declan, Abbott, and newborn daughter, Aprilia, with no exceptions. He valued character over image and humility over pedigree. He was a man of discipline and a role model to many. Chris passed away on September 29, 2023--a life cut far too short but a memory that will live on. It is an incredible privilege to honor that memory today. Chris Wright blessed so many, and I am certain those individuals will spend their remaining days in deep appreciation of the opportunity to have known him. My prayers remain with his family, friends, and loved ones during this tragic time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt about it, wokeness is destroying America. The proof is all around us. It has managed to seep into our schools, businesses, publications, and nearly every other nook and cranny of our great society. Even our military is prioritizing diversity and inclusion over strength and readiness. Schools are teaching critical race theory and revisionist history over truth and fact, brainwashing our kids with a leftist doctrine on what to think instead of how to think and formulate ideas for themselves. Agendas to defund and demonize police officers are hindering police departments' ability to hire new personnel and to protect their communities. Radical climate change policies are decimating our energy sector. The foolish push for electric vehicles is increasing our dependency on an enemy like Communist China. Liberal judges are refusing to prosecute violent criminals and enabling this tsunami of a crime wave that is washing over our Nation. The continued exploitation of programs like humanitarian parole is worsening the border crisis and allowing millions of illegal aliens to enter the country on the taxpayers' dime and making it more likely that we will be hit with another terrorist attack like 9/11, or even worse. The list goes on. The fact remains that the left's woke policies plague our Nation, and we must find a remedy before the damage done becomes permanent. By using common sense--and merely putting American interests first-- many of the policies in the two appropriations bills that are currently being debated and voted on this week work to eliminate these woke and disastrous policies. Unsurprisingly, my Democrat colleagues across the aisle strongly oppose these commonsense policies and changes. The American people know better. No longer should we fund the Wuhan lab responsible for unleashing COVID-19 into the world. No longer should we allow those with ties to the Communist Chinese Party, Russia, North Korea, or Iran to purchase U.S. farmland. No longer should Federal funds be used by the Defense Department to enforce critical race theory and other DEI policies and sidetracking our military from its primary mission to destroy our enemies and keep us free. These are just a few of the ways that House Republicans are prioritizing the Nation's needs over a political agenda that throws merit and ability out the window. We must remain steadfast in our mission to loosen this disastrous grip that wokeness has had on America for far too long. Our national security, our food security, our energy security, our overall sovereignty, and our national survival depend on it.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate and thank the gentleman from Alabama for having this Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, we are here tonight to shed light on the fentanyl crisis that continues ravaging communities nationwide. I must say, I am infuriated when I think about this. More than 100,000 Americans overdose each year, most dying from fentanyl poisoning and fentanyl-laced drugs. It is estimated that China is fully responsible for nearly all the illicit fentanyl in the United States. Beijing has literally launched a chemical war on the United States of America. Instead of demanding accountability, the administration under Biden continues promoting policies that actually increase our dependency on China, the very nation working tirelessly to ensure our annihilation. Wait, there is more. Not only do we know where the drug comes from, but we know how it is getting into the country. About 90 percent of fentanyl flows across and through our open southern border, the same border that President Biden has gone out of his way to destroy and erase. Who is in control of our border now, bringing this poison into our people? The Mexican drug cartels, that is who. It only takes 1-16th of a teaspoon of fentanyl to kill a person, an amount so minuscule that it can fit into Abraham Lincoln's ear on a U.S. penny. I am a healthcare provider, a dentist. I have done hospital dentistry in my career. Fentanyl does not belong on the streets. It belongs in the operating room. Border Patrol has already seized enough fentanyl this fiscal year alone to kill over 3.1 billion people. So ask yourselves, what kind of President knows this information and continues to look the other way? We are already witnessing a death toll equivalent to 9/11 every 15 days because of this deadly drug. How many more stories must we hear from parents who are mourning a child who has overdosed on a counterfeit pill that had fentanyl in it? How many more Americans must die for this President to finally act? Every single Member of Congress should be outraged by Joe Biden's inaction and exacerbation of this horrible crisis. It truly is despicable. Mr. President, hold China accountable, secure our southern border, and save American lives.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Captain William J. ``Bill'' Diehl after serving 13 years as the president of the Greater Houston Port Bureau. Captain Diehl was born and raised in Olean, New York, as one of nine children. Of those, 6 served in the military, each retiring with more than 20 years of service. He is a 1982 United States Coast Guard Academy graduate with a master's degree from the University of Michigan in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Before working at the Port Bureau, Captain Diehl spent 31 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. In his final assignment, he commanded the Coast Guard's largest operational unit: Sector Houston-Galveston. During Hurricane Ike, Captain Diehl served as the Coast Guard Incident Commander, leading 2,600 Coast Guard personnel who saved 235 lives. He also directed the clean-up of 240 oil spills and spearheaded the most substantial waterway restoration effort in the branch's history. In 2008, he retired with two Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the 9-11 Medal, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, among many other awards. Captain Diehl joined the Greater Houston Port Bureau after his career in the Coast Guard. This organization serves more than 260 member companies in the Houston region and supplies its members with detailed vessel traffic information, market analysis, and maritime expertise on safety, security, and environmental issues. Under Captain Diehl's leadership, the Port Bureau dramatically increased in membership, expanded its business, and hosted countless port education sessions. He also worked with the Houston Congressional Delegation to advocate for dredging, coastal protection, and Project-11, an initiative to deepen and widen the Houston Ship Channel. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Captain Diehl, who has exemplified the Coast Guard's motto, ``Semper Paratus,'' throughout his career--both in and out of uniform. A special thank you to his wife, Annette; their children, Rachel, Daniel, and Michael; and 2 grandchildren, Avery and John--without their support, his accomplishments and service to country would not have been possible. Congratulations to my friend. Bravo Zulu.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Pasadena Strawberry Festival located in Pasadena, Texas. When the 1900 Galveston hurricane decimated the island, it flooded much of Pasadena's cropland. Afterward, Clara Barton--founder of the American Red Cross--was rendering aid to residents in the area when she realized the surrounding farmers were now in desperate need of a new cash crop. Acting swiftly, she arranged to have strawberry plants shipped to the city. The plants flourished, and strawberries quickly became the town's most popular commodity. Pasadena's strawberries, famous for their unique size and sweetness, earned the city the title of ``Strawberry Capital of the South.'' Trains carried freight cars full of the bright red berries as far north as Chicago. By the late 1930s--and the rise of Texas's oil and gas industry-- refineries soon stood in place of the strawberry fields that once drove the town's economy. However, the historical impact on the community was not forgotten. In 1974, the city held its first Strawberry Festival to celebrate the opening of the Pasadena Historical Museum; the festival continues to this day. Each May, Pasadena citizens gather to remember their town's heritage as the Strawberry Capital of the South. In fact, the festival is one of the largest and most beloved events in the area, drawing in visitors from across the state. In addition to the various attractions and entertainment offered, attendees can view the ``World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake,'' barbecue cookoffs, and beauty pageants. The festival also awards scholarships to local students. Mr. Speaker, the Pasadena Strawberry Festival is a testament to the fortitude and ingenuity of Pasadena's citizens, and it is an honor to recognize this milestone. Congratulations to those involved in the festival's continued growth and success. May the next 50 years prove even more fruitful.