Don Bacon

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call upon my fellow Members of Congress to support H.R. 1179, which will award the Congressional Gold Medal to the survivors of the Iran hostage crisis and to the families of the former hostages who are, sadly, no longer with us. Over 40 years ago, in November of 1979, protests in the Iranian capital of Tehran led to crowds storming the United States Embassy and taking the staff inside as hostages. Fifty-two Americans, made up of both civilian and military personnel, were made prisoners in our own embassy and became victims of a terrorist attack upon international law. For over a year, the hostages were denied their basic human dignity with their captors inflicting upon them increasing physical and psychological torture, to include simulated executions. Madam Speaker, they would take these hostages and go through the motions of being executed, often pulling the trigger of an empty gun to instill fear. It was wrong. These brave Americans held strong throughout their harrowing ordeal, never once losing faith in each other or that they may return home to their families again. Their courage and patriotism are an inspiration to all of us today, just as it was to our Nation 40 years ago. Through diplomatic success, all 52 of the hostages were released in January of 1981, free to return home to their loved ones and their country, with this January 20 marking the 41st anniversary of their freedom. Despite that, many of them have not recovered from their trauma; to this day still haunted by what they had to endure. Alongside having to carry these burdens for over 40 years, these 52 heroes never received proper recognition from their government for the sacrifices they were forced to make in captivity. They are true American heroes, and it is time that Congress acknowledges them as such, which is why I call upon my colleagues to support H.R. 1179. The awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to the survivors and the families of the deceased will not only bring justice to these patriots, but also demonstrate this Nation's commitment to protect those whose human rights would be violated. This bipartisan bill is a symbol of our Nation's ability to come together to honor our heroes; currently there are 145 cosponsors of this bill with a near even split between Democrats and Republicans. Additionally, I would like to thank the tremendous efforts of Commission 52 for helping to spread awareness of this bill and gathering support for it. Their commitment to righting the wrongs of over 40 years ago is an inspiration to all.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Native American Heritage Month and to honor the 35th anniversary of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, a private nonprofit organization in Nebraska. The Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition provides community healthcare and services targeting the urban American Indian and Alaska Native population in the greater Omaha metropolitan area, Lincoln area, and Sioux City, Iowa, since 1986. Their rehabilitative healthcare services and their diabetes self-management program are nationally recognized. Currently, they are led by their CEO, Dr. Donna Mays Polk. Donna Lee Mays was born in 1943 in Denver, CO, to a young WWII submariner Hosey Mays and his wife Tommy Lee Gadling Mays. Dr. Polk was only 7 years old when her mother was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver on Christmas Day. Dr. Polk credits her grandmother, Annie Lee Gadling, as her inspiration because of her spirituality and Wisdom. Dr. Polk firmly believes in having vision and that you have to be able to see how things can be. If you don't, Mr. Speaker, you don't work to effect change. Between 1972 to 1985, Dr. Polk served as an affirmative action and equal opportunity officer at the Nebraska Department of Labor. She volunteered in the Nebraska Correction's system for 26 years and starred in her own TV show called ``Frankly Female, a show for and about women. She is the mother of four sons, Mark, Imani, Marcus, and the Honorable Judge Marlon Polk. Dr. Polk earned her bachelor's degree in university studies, her master's in counseling psychology, and a doctorate in administration, instruction, and curriculum, all from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. In addition, she is a published author. She wrote her book, ``Black Men and Women of Nebraska, in 1981 to shine the light on prominent African-American individuals in our State. She joined the NE Urban Indian Health Coalition in 1991 after leaving the Lincoln Indian Center. She continues to lead a team of over 50 employees. Programs and services include: Behavioral Health Substance Use Disorder Services, transitional housing, Nebraska Urban Indian Medical Center in Lincoln, and transportation. Dr. Polk also takes immense pride in the Eagle Heights Affordable Housing located in South Omaha and two community-based programs--Project Upstream serving families with children in Omaha Public Schools, and the Tired Moccasins a nutrition-based program for elders. Dr. Polk is thrilled about the inauguration of their new headquarters scheduled to open in the spring of 2022. In recognition of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, we shine a spotlight on 35 years of helping elevate the health status and eliminating disparities of urban Indians and other underserved populations in Nebraska and Iowa through education, collaboration, advocacy, and health service delivery. Congratulations to Dr. Polk and her team for 35 years of excellence and serving our great community.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Build Back Better Act. President Biden, Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Chairman Bernie Sanders have made it clear they want to transform America. In fact, those are their words. They want to transform America using reconciliation, the so-called Build Back Better Act. They are trying to do it with a 50-50 Senate, a 3-seat majority in the House out of 435 Members, and a President that won by just two States. Last November, the country did not vote for transformation, but for middle-of-the-road centrist policies and steady leadership. That is not what they got, and voters are mad. Just look at the polling. The President sits at a 38 percent favorable rating. The generic ballot for the House favors Republicans by 11 points--the biggest margin seen in the history of this polling. If there is any doubt, just review the recent results of Virginia where a Republican was elected; in New Jersey where a Democrat squeaked by in his reelection. A 12-point swing in Virginia and a 14-point swing in New Jersey in just one year. Our Nation does not desire to be a giant welfare State with cradle- to-grave government oversight controlling their lives. Last year, the country didn't vote to give amnesty and government payouts for adults who illegally crossed our borders and jumped to the front of the line of those trying to come here through legal channels. The country did not vote to hire 87,000 more IRS agents for auditing every-day Americans to raise $400 billion to pay for their reckless spending spree. We need IRS agents to provide customer service to those still waiting for their tax refunds, sometimes a year late, but not for more audits. Americans didn't vote to raise taxes on a third of the middle class, which is what the left-leaning Tax Policy Center stated is the case, while it also found that two-thirds of millionaires will now get a tax break at the same time because of the changes made to the SALT deductions in this bad bill. Americans didn't vote to remove the Hyde amendment that prevented our tax dollars from paying for abortions, and they did not vote to remove work requirements for able-bodied adults to receive welfare benefits. Americans did not vote to impede and ban domestic energy and mineral production, or to increase our reliance on China and OPEC. Our citizens did not vote to raise taxes on natural gas that Americans use to heat their homes, and we did not vote to undermine our research and discovery of new drugs that can save people's lives. Finally, Americans did not vote to give people earning up to $500,000 tax breaks for buying electric vehicles. The authors of this legislation have either misjudged or ignored where the country is at on these issues. This legislation is a total transformation, is what the President is saying, but it is a giant, welfare-State transformation. For these reasons, and many more, I will be voting ``no'' on the Build Back Better Act, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I pray that moderate Democrats will say no, and like many Americans, I am grateful that Senators Manchin and Sinema have been voices of reason and commonsense. We need more of their voices.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Native American Heritage Month and to honor the 35th anniversary of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, a private nonprofit organization in Nebraska. The Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition provides community healthcare and services targeting the urban American Indian and Alaska Native population in the greater Omaha metropolitan area, Lincoln area, and Sioux City, Iowa, since 1986. Their rehabilitative healthcare services and their diabetes self-management program are nationally recognized. Currently, they are led by their CEO, Dr. Donna Polk. Donna Lee Mays was raised by her father after her mother was hit and killed by a drunk driver on Christmas Day in 1949 at the age of 23. Dr. Polk was only 7 years old. Dr. Polk credits her grandmother, Annie Lee Mays, as one of her inspirations because of her spirituality and wisdom. Dr. Polk firmly believes in having vision and that you have to be able to see how things can be. If you don't, Mr. Speaker, you don't work to effect change. Between 1972 to 1985, Dr. Polk served as an affirmative action and equal opportunity officer at the State of Nebraska. She volunteered in the Nebraska corrections system for 26 years and starred in her own TV show called ``Frankly Female,'' a show for and about women. Dr. Polk earned her bachelor's degree in university studies, her master's in counseling psychology, and a doctorate in administration, instruction, and curriculum, all from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In addition, she is a published author. She wrote her book, ``Black Men and Women of Nebraska,'' in 1981 to shine the light on prominent African-American individuals in our State. She joined the Urban Indian Health Coalition in 1991, running the counseling program for women. She leads a team of over 40 employees that offer services such as inpatient and outpatient substance abuse, transitional living, alcohol and drug recovery, healthcare services, and transportation to their facilities. Dr. Polk takes great pride in the community programs--Project Upstream, the Tired Moccasins Elders Program, and the Elder's Program--which help Native youth and families overcome socioeconomic disparities and provide meals, educational opportunities, and even extracurricular activities for all ages. Dr. Polk is thrilled about the inauguration of their new headquarters scheduled to open in the spring of 2022. In recognizing the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, we shine a spotlight on 35 years of helping elevate the health status and disparities of urban Indians and other underserved populations in Nebraska and Iowa through education, collaboration, advocacy, and health service delivery. Congratulations to Dr. Polk and her team for 35 years of excellence and serving our great community.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of John Edward McClure. A true pioneer in what is considered the final frontier, John led the business development team that brought the ON- STAR automobile safety and communication system to reality. Through his vision for the practical and purposeful application of what was then an emerging technology, thousands of lives have been saved and countless motorists have been kept safe thanks to this technology. John and his team helped exploit the nascent Internet of Things, or how machines talk to machines, to create ON STAR, one of the first communication systems to exploit this technology. ON STAR achieved its goals of providing security, enhancing productivity, and monitoring vehicle operation and maintenance for motorists. A true entrepreneur, John started numerous companies including an asset tracking company using GPS and other satellite technologies to monitor cargo and other materials in transit. Mr. McClure's quest to constantly push the boundaries of technology led him to focus on helping youth acquire a thirst for discovery. He mentored individuals and led student groups sharing his mantra that there ``are no Can't Dos in life, only Can Dos!'' Combining his passion for aerospace and education, he introduced the NASA CubeSat initiative to a group of Nebraska middle- and high-school students. He helped pair them with undergraduate mentors from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Together the team proposed an experiment that NASA has accepted for a future mission to orbit earth. Known as the Big Red Satellite Team, this group will carry on John's mission to have this historic-first CubeSat designed and built in Nebraska. The team will test cutting edge solar cell technology. Always looking beyond the horizon, John's ultimate goal is for the Big Red Satellite project to serve as a catalyst for the development of STEM careers and ultimately help build an aerospace industry in Nebraska. An accomplished fixed wing and hot air balloon pilot, John never stopped reaching for the stars. His words and his actions clearly communicated his primary mission: create opportunities that give kids an opportunity to succeed. John McClure passed away September 15, 2021. I offer my condolences to his entire family. John's many achievements will continue to impact Nebraska well into the future. A future that John sought to improve by helping young students discover their abilities and believe that anything is possible. His life's work has helped people in every state of this union, and his legacy of encouraging others to make their dreams a reality will be carried on by those he inspired.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleagues from Indiana and Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5661, the Continued State Flexibility To Assist Older Foster Youth Act. We can all agree that our children and youth have suffered tremendously during this pandemic. Foster youth that aged out of the system are hurting and feel forgotten. We can come together to support these youth through continuing States' flexibility with the Chafee funds to assist older foster youth. The act will allow the emergency Chafee funds flexibilities that we implemented during the pandemic to continue through fiscal year 2022. It will give youth the option to reenter foster care that aged out during the pandemic, remove the living expenses cap, and expand the educational training funds to assist them. We hear more and more from youth that need our help. As a foster-to- adopt parent, I know that our foster youth need our help, and we need to make sure that we hold to our responsibility to fully support them during this crisis. Young adults who have aged out of foster care are the number one risk for homelessness in that age group. Mr. Speaker, we have the opportunity here to make a difference.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud American. In 1776, our Founding Fathers proposed e pluribus unum, ``Out of many, we are one,'' for the first Great Seal of our country. It can be found on our currency, on buildings, and in the seal of the U.S. House of Representatives. Sadly, this fundamental value is rarely seen in today's day and age. I am proud because I have come across an American faith-based organization that should serve as an example to all of us and this principle of e pluribus unum. I am referring to the Tzedek Association. Recently, though they are of a completely different faith, and though this is really outside the purview of what they normally do, Tzedek has dedicated itself to saving the people from Afghanistan. The Tzedek Association is a Jewish national nonprofit that advocates for criminal justice reform and religious liberty and fights for humanitarian cases throughout the globe. Tzedek championed the First Step Act, as well as other commonsense criminal justice reforms. In fact, the president and founder of Tzedek, Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, was honored by former President Trump and the First Lady with the lighting of the menorah at the White House Hanukkah party in recognition of Tzedek's contribution to prison reform. After the Taliban took over Kabul, it came to Tzedek's attention that the last remaining Jew of Afghanistan was in danger of being killed. They were requested to utilize their political connections to save his life. One thing led to another, and this led to Tzedek coordinating the escape of dozens and dozens of Afghans. Let me stress the novelty of this: An Orthodox Jewish organization, led by Orthodox rabbis, is working day and night to save the lives of Muslims, Christians, and people of other faiths--mostly many women and children--because they clearly live by the value ``out of many, we are one.'' Tzedek has thus far coordinated the rescue of female judges, orphans, translators, and other individuals who helped the United States and the U.K. in the war on terror. They also saved the lives of female soccer players, who are at risk of being killed by the Taliban simply because they have chosen to play this global sport. They recently led an effort to save two pregnant women who were high- risk targets, one of whom gave birth to a healthy baby girl just 3 days after being rescued. And yes, they also saved the last remaining Afghanistan Jew, Zebulun Simantov. But along with him, they rescued 30 other people, religious minorities who were at risk of persecution just because of their faith. To accomplish all of this, Tzedek has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, all of which has come from the Jewish community. It is awe- inspiring and a lesson to us in Washington and to those all across the world that we must come together more often for the greater good. Despite our differences, we must unite as creations of an Almighty God and do what we can together to make this world a better place. Recognizing Troop 60 of Papillion

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Boy Scout Troop 60 of Papillion, Nebraska, for their efforts to partner with the city of Papillion to preserve the community's historic 100-year-old Boy Scout cabin. Originally formed in 1913 as Troop 1, they began building the log cabin in 1921 under the leadership of Scoutmaster Reverend B. Johansen to be used as the troop's headquarters. In June 1922, the Papillion community dedicated the Scout cabin, and it has been in continuous use ever since. The cabin is an iconic local landmark in Papillion's City Park, celebrating pride in both Scouting and the community. It is believed that this Scout cabin could be one of the oldest Scout cabins in continuous use west of the Mississippi. Troop 60 recently finished renovation of the historic cabin, preserving it for another 100 years and for generations to come. This restoration was part of the Papillion 150 celebration. Papillion 150 was a community movement that recognized the city of Papillion's 150th anniversary, having grown from an 1870s railroad town that was on the mainline of the Union Pacific Railroad to now being one of the fastest growing cities in Nebraska. I also recognize the troop's longtime sponsor, the Harry Bossard American Legion Post 32, which has mentored Troop 60 to be the shining example of positive impacts of Scouting. Throughout Troop 60's history, it is estimated that over 200 individuals have attained the rank of Eagle Scout, and many of those have gone on to become leaders throughout the community of Papillion, the State of Nebraska, the military, and even in the Halls of Congress with our own chief of staff, Mark Dreiling. Madam Speaker, I salute Troop 60 of Papillion.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the need to improve access to critical mental health resources for veterans battling with Post-Traumatic Stress and TBI, and to pledge my continued support on these vital issues facing our countless brave and heroic men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation. It is imperative that we as a country and the United States Congress continue to work with our partners in government, industry, academia, and with private citizens to provide the best possible tools needed for their mental health and well-being. TBI is a serious and complex injury that happens on and off the battlefield. In fact, most TBl's occur during training. While many injuries appear to be psychological, many of them are physical and are caused by actual damage to the brain because of blast exposure, heavy weaponry, or just doing the day-to-day job of a service member. I stand firmly behind my colleague, Representative Lee Zeldin, as a partner in his efforts and a cosponsor of H.R. 1476, the PFC Joseph Dwyer Peer Support Program Act--a wonderful tool for our military that provides grants for peer-to-peer mental health support authorized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I will continue to support efforts like this and other measures to improve the safety, research, and well- being of those who volunteer to keep our nation safe. The timing of this cannot be more critical. We know that following the debacle in Afghanistan, we have seen a significant increase of veterans calling the suicide hotlines and, very unfortunately, we've seen an increase in suicides. Many veterans are questioning the value of their service in Afghanistan, and hurting knowing that friends and colleagues died for what General Millie has called a strategic failure. I share in that pain frankly. I encourage anyone struggling with this to reach out and get help. You are not alone. But also know, that your service was worth it. We stopped terrorism for 20 years coming out of Afghanistan and protected the homeland. We killed or captured the terrorists that masterminded 9/11. I think the decisions by President Biden were wrong in the failed withdrawal from Afghanistan, but our country will learn from its mistakes and we will rebound. We always do because we are a free country. I encourage my fellow veterans to keep the faith . . . in our God and country. I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to work together and ensure we do all we can to serve and support our men and women in uniform by keeping their physical brain health and mental health a priority.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to include in the Record the following remarks by Michael R. Pompeo. former Secretary of State of the United States. Secretary Pompeo addressed the ``Support Free Iran, U.S. To Hold Ebrahim Raisi Accountable for the 1988 Massacre'' on Monday, September 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Below is Secretary Pompeo's speech. ``Thank you all so much. That's an amazing welcome I hope you are as happy after my remarks. I think you will. Thank you, Amir, for that kind introduction. It is such a blessing for me to be with you all today. It is a special gathering that we can all be together to talk about an enormous threat to the world and to freedom loving people. It's truly an honor. Since I last spoke to you Ebrahim Raisi was formally installed as Iran's latest so-called President. You are rightly gathered at this conference with the theme of demanding that he be held accountable for what happened in 1988, the massacre of political prisoners inside of Iran. And I want each of you to know today that I join with you in your cause! I came to know Raisi when I was the CIA Director. He should be prosecuted; not tomorrow; not next week; not next year. Prosecute him now. And of course, I will talk more about this. But I support a free Iran! Bless you for staying in the fight. Make no mistake, Make no mistake. Ebrahim Raisi, himself is personally responsible for the mass execution of thousands of Iranian political prisoners, names of over 5,000 have been published. The bodies of these brave men and women were dumped in unmarked graves. And Because Iran has never, and likely under this regime will never allow an investigation into these killings, we do not know the true number of Iranians who were murdered. But it is almost certainly more than the 5,000 list of names that we have. Your actions, our actions supporting our love of the Iranian people must begin by holding Ebrahim Raisi accountable for his crimes against humanity. Remember he wasn't an advisor; he wasn't a foot soldier. He was an executioner. I know there are those in the audience who have family that were killed in Raisi's massacre. Too, some of you have loved one and friends currently imprisoned, in Evin and elsewhere in Iran, and some, who have had loved ones simply disappeared or worse. We will never forget any of them and will pray for you and each of them. You know this character Ebrahim Raisi is exactly who Khamenei wants as President--someone who will do his bidding. Someone willing to brutalize and slaughter the Iranian people at his command. This is not moving forward. It is moving backwards. It is only those who are resisting, both inside and out, who provide the hope for Iran. That is why this gathering and the work you do today is so important. The contrast between a government that serves its people rather than subjugates them is incredibly stark. We can see it. That should be all of our inspiration for freedom for the Iranian people. It's has been almost eight months since I left office as the Secretary of State. When we left as Secretary of State, Iran was more isolated and the regime as weak than ever. However, I must say I've watched the events of the past weeks and months and I worry that events in Afghanistan and the posture of the current administration are allowing the regime to get ``off the mat'' and re-strengthen. I know the Iranian people do not want that. That is why we must keep pressure on our representatives to forgo renegotiating the nuclear deal and avoid paying Iran ransom to either re-enter that deal or because they believe it would be a show of ``good will.'' Good will is not something a terrorist regime understands. We must also ensure that advancements in the Iranian nuclear program are strictly monitored, and action taken whether that's by the United States, other western nations or by the IAEA to ensure that they don't just run out the clock on the path not only to a nuclear weapon but to a full nuclear program. I must say, over the last year or so of the pandemic the Iranian regime has used the coronavirus to continue crackdown on its own citizens. Its actions are not only ignorant but malevolent. They have used the pandemic to extinguish uprisings and subdue the Iranian people. This is totally unacceptable. As Americans, we know supporting the general welfare of our citizens is the duty of the government, and to subjugate them is horrific. And while we know that the Iranian regime does not value freedom, we should at least expect the United States to value that freedom. You have all watched these last few weeks. Our credibility was called into question in our disgraceful exit from Afghanistan and again questioned this past week when our own Secretary of State took down a tweet of support for the people of Hong Kong who were asking for freedom in their struggle against the Chinese Communist Party. These demonstrations of the absence of resolve and lack of support for freedom-loving people are the welcome by terrorists and those oppressing the people of Iran. And yet we know that the more the government attempts to strengthen its hold over the people of Iran, the weaker it will become. This is certainly the case today. Protests spurred by water shortages erupted in over half of the country's provinces and protests have taken place in Ahvaz, in Tabriz, in Tehran, and in Isfahan, and other cities all across Iran. These protestors, these amazing freedom-loving people have shown considerable resilience and bravery in resisting the regime. And I know that in the end the Iranian people will have a secular, democratic, and nonnuclear republic. The actions in 1979 were of course a key turning point. To understand Iran and its rightful place in history we must unpack what happened in 1979. I think this is why Iran will never return to rule by a dictatorial Shah or theocratic regime. This fight is the real fight and it began in those frightful first moments of the so-called revolution in 1979. The central fight is the one in the streets, and in the mosques and in the minds of the Iranian people--it is the divide between the people and the organized opposition seeking freedom and democracy on one side, and the entirety of the regime on the other. Look I have been at this, but not as long as some of you. But I have been in this fight on the right side for over a decade now, my entire life of decade of public service. Back in 2010 I spoke with many of you. I spoke of the Iranian people and their history, their kindness and their respect for reason, knowledge and respect for human life. The Iranian people are tolerant people--They have been a homeland for Arabs and Jews, Christians and Muslims right on Iranian soil. This is the loveliness of the Iranian people. The Iranians want to prosper in their faith and protect their families--this is as true in Tehran as it is in any place here in the United States and don't ever forget that. There is a new leader, there's a new elected. I say that word cautiously. The regime headed by the puppet Raisi and the IRGC is no less radical than the one left by the previous president It continues to be revolutionary in its zeal. It is brutal. It is theocratic. It is also craven and fearful of the Iranian people. It's kleptocratic. Its leaders will and have killed their own by the thousands and then choose those who committed these massive atrocities, like Raisi, to now lead their terror organization and their regime. Its leaders can shoot down a civilian airliner killing hundreds of civilians and think nothing of denying responsibility and hiding the black box that would unpack the clues and fingerprints of the regime's leaders who caused the death of civilians. The leaders in Iran seek not only to dominate their own country and their own people, hut capitals from Baghdad to Tehran and from Damascus to Beirut and to Sanaa. All for the petty desire to maintain their grip on power. When I last spoke to you, I noted that we must dismiss the Western conceit. I hear it even in this city which we are sitting today. It's this western conceit commonly accepted in Brussels, in Paris, in Bonn and in too many places here in the United States that there are moderates inside of the regime. I never met one, nor read of one. This is important. The lie, that there are moderates inside of this regime. There are too many countries that play footsie with this terrorist regime. The elections of last month should provide evidence that this claim of moderation is even possible within this regime. We cannot have them fool us. These are but tiny actors occupying roles in the same show of force. We know the characters. The Ayatollah plays the father, keeper of the so-called revolutionary faith and is the elder statesman ``protecting the revolution'' from every threat-- including the threats from the heathen secular inside and outside of Iran. Soleimani played the warrior-hero-role. Deliverer of rights against made-up grievances from the near abroad and afar. The newly installed Foreign Minister, Hossein Amit-Abdollahian, was molded by Soleimani. This man, despite of the fact that he is a diplomat, a Foreign Minister, make no mistake who he is. He is a staunch supporter of the ``Axis of Resistance,'' the array of terrorists that Iran supports throughout the entire Middle East. He is a terrorist himself who would kill his own people to save the regime just as quickly as any other of the Ayatollah's henchmen Don't let that title of diplomat fool anyone. Ebralum Raisi, a murderer of his own people, will now take on the role as heir apparent to the faith and determined negotiator who concurs America by getting the immoral sanctions placed upon the people lifted and improving life for all. This will be the theatre of Ebrahim Raisi. These actors--each of them, all of them will keep this show going despite the audience wanting their run to end and they are prepared to use every power, to use the IRGC, to use the Basij and any tool to keep their grip over the Iranian people. There is nothing new about them. They are just the next generation of the regime, perhaps even more radical than their predecessors. Every one of them should be held accountable, all of them should be held accountable, for the tens of thousands of Iranians they have murdered. And world leaders, I hope you are listening, should band together to reject Raisi; each of you, each of you should reject Raisi. You should refuse to engage with him, to acknowledge him as a democratically elected president by the people--since he was no such thing. A good place to start would be by this week at the United Nations General Assembly, not too far from where we are all sitting, holding Raisi accountable for his crimes against the people of Iran. It's possible to do. Speaking of Raisi's actions, Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International (2018-2020), said in his remarks to the Call for Justice: ``I served as the Secretary-General of Amnesty International during which time a report was brought out on this terrible tragedy and the tragedy of 1988 that we saw took place in Iran. Let us be very clear, what happened in 1988 was a totally brutal massacre of political prisoners, which is a crime against humanity.'' This former leader of Amnesty closed with this. ``And if you go with the definition, notwithstanding the technicalities, it amounts to genocide.'' We know a bit about this. We have to keep the Iranian regime in a box. Contrast the current administration's posture toward the regime with the one that the Trump administration had. Our mission was really very simple. We laid down 12 very simple demands, twelve requirements that made clear that if the Iranian regime failed to do that we would apply every American power and indeed we would build a coalition around the world to deny the regime the power to kill its own people and to foment terror around region and indeed around the world. This seemed so straight forward to me. We formed alliances to achieve these ends and supported Israel's efforts to enhance our pressure campaign as well. This administration is returning to the roots of its past, It's the Obama Policy 2.0. They are seeking to walk away from the support we had provided to the Iranian people just as they did in 2009, when the Iranian people demanded freedom and the administration walked away from them. But here is the good news. The resistance forces in Iran, these noble Iranian patriots, are as strong as they have ever been, and they provide optimism for everyone around them who supports them. You do that too. You can actually see the effects of the last years of our work in their recent elections. Every more effort had to be made. The regime became more desperate, the fraud had to be increased and the Iranian people could see it as plain as day. Since 1979, every election in Iran has served only to give an appearance of republicanism to a corrupt, brutal theocracy. The 2021 presidential election, however, was different. It is vastly different from those before it, primarily because it is taking place when the theocratic regime is at its most precarious state since it took power in 1979, and the people of Iran know this. Its prospects of survival are openly questioned by regime insiders and challenged by a restive, freedom-seeking nation. In short, you all know the math. Very few actually voted FOR Raisi. Turnout was the lowest since 1979 marking a total rejection of the regime and its candidate. Even the regime admitted for the first time in 40 years that the majority of Iranian people stayed away from the ballot box. It was, in fact, a boycott of the regime--and the regime leader fear and know it. This boycott is evidence that the Iranian people pin no hope on elections as a conduit for substantive change. The program that we implemented also served to lay bare the regime's economic incompetence, systemic corruption, and outright plunder of the country's wealth that have pushed 80% of the population below the poverty line. They see the corrupt ruling theocracy as their true enemy and the first and foremost cause of the economic crises. One of the most dominant slogans in the recent uprisings has been, ``Our enemy is right here; they lie when they say it is America.'' History is replete with protest movements. As with all protest movements, flags were burned, right? This is what people do, but now, the most common flag being burned was not the Israeli or the American flag, but the flag of this evil regime. So, what is ahead? So how do we all move forward together? What is the path that we move down to? The regime is at its weakest point in its now 40 plus years of existence Iranians from every corner of the nation are seeing with their own eyes, the failure of the regime to deliver on the very promises that it made. The epic incompetence in handling COVID-19 is on-going--vaccination in Iran is at among the lowest rates in the entire world not because the vaccine is not available, but because the regime refuses to accept vaccines from those prepared to give them to them. Indeed, they rejected it from the Trump administration. This epic incompetence and quest for nuclear power has made it pariah, has made Iran, the regime, pariah, even to its fellow Muslim countries in the region. It's epic incompetence in simply ruining the nation has resulted in has made food and gas and the most basic staples unaffordable and the nation's ability to respond to natural disasters like floods and earthquakes virtually nonexistent. The Iranian people are wise. They can see that Iran is not working The people know it. As for President Raisi, he is the not he President of the people of Iran. He is the President for the Ayatollah. His mission is clear. Inflict pain Frighten, continue to loot and plunder. Protect the clerics and protect the Republican Guards. He was chosen by the Ayatollah now because he is only 60 years old and thus could lead for the next two to three decades. I don't believe that's the fate of the Iranian people. These years will give him the time he needs to get his own people into place and demonstrate that the Supreme Leader wants him to have time to prepare for the next phase of the of the so-called revolution. He will use the IRGC and his Qods Force to generate conflict externally to deflect attention and to maintain the narrative of the oppressed. The path forward calls This calls for a clear response--the United States must lead the world, starting today, on this occasion, to hold him accountable for crimes against humanity that he committed. Any dealings with Raisi, would he tantamount to dealing with a mass murderer. This is not only immoral but counterproductive. All of us should make this crystal clear to our allies in Europe and Asia as well and hold them accountable if they deal with this man that sent thousands of his country to execution in 1988. It is worth noting that the apologists for the regime suggest that Raisi's election and the power now in the hands of ``hardliners'' is a result of the American pressure on the regime. This is nonsense. Utter nonsense. The latter notion that of hardliners versus reformers or moderates is not remotely reflective of the total control of the Ayatollah over everything that so that nothing moves without his blessing inside of that country. As for whether pressure drives Iran to continue it authoritarian ways, it is obvious that Iran's leadership has been static or trending right for two decades. The world often overstates its influence on domestic politics. It is the people of Iran who have the power. The Ayatollah has been very intent. Raisi demonstrates that IRGC generation is replacing the Revolutionary generation. Moreover, while Raisi and others have criticized this nuclear deal, it touches none of their equities. Thus, they get to use the deal politically and reap the benefits from the resources received to protect the Ayatollah and his henchmen. So, he will complain about the deal, he will use it to gain more concessions from a deal-hungry U.S., but won't, in the end, block it. I worry, too, that the situation on the Iranian border with Afghanistan will only strengthen the Iranian regime's hand. The Iranians watched as the United States projected weakness and chaos as it withdrew from Afghanistan. And we know that the Iranians thrive on weakness. We also know that it always emboldens our adversaries. The truth is that the present administration inherited an orderly plan for a drawdown in Afghanistan based on firm conditions to keep our people safe. And the people of our allies who were fighting in Afghanistan and alongside of us as well. The Administration ripped up that plan and turned it into a chaotic rush for exit. And thirteen brave Americans paid with their lives. I worry that same weakness will enable a blood thirsty Iranian regime to be even more harsh on its own people who oppose the regime, and the American weakness will embolden the ``Axis of Resistance'' to spark increased terrorism in the Middle East and, indeed, all around the world. In fact, in the wake of our Afghanistan withdrawal, here is what Raisi said, ``America's military defeat and its withdrawal must become an opportunity to restore life, security and durable peace in Afghanistan Iran backs efforts to restore stability in Afghanistan and, as a neighboring and brother nation, Iran invites all groups in Afghanistan to reach a national agreement'' Let me translate that for you. Iran welcomes Afghanistan as another tool in the terrorist hub of the ``Axis of Resistance.'' They don't want good things for the Afghan people any more than they want good things for their own people. They want the very power that they have so dearly clutched onto for these decades at the expense of the Iranian people. It is worth us all remembering today that this is not the first connection to external terror. The Ayatollah already hosts the most senior Al Qaeda leadership in his country. Let me say that again: Al Qaeda international, the headquarters for Al Qaeda's operational leaders that builds up plots across the world is not in Afghanistan is NOT in Afghanistan, it is not in the Afghan border, it is not Pakistan--we know they are being hosted, protected, and operating today from Iran. And don't forget this. The Ayatollah did not truly conduct a revolution, although he will claim that. No, revolutions move their people towards modernity and reason and to light, this was not a revolution, but a devolution of the basic standards of human rights that the rich of history of Iran had promoted for decades and decades. There is not far from here, think tanks and salons and some of the nicer parties where there is this idea that there is no solution if the regime is overthrown. The Ayatollah--and many will tell you that you are better off with the devil you know. The Iranian people don't believe that for a second because it is fundamentally untrue. There are many paths forward and all of them are better for the Iranian people than the status quo. And preparing, as we are doing, preparing the transition to a New Iran is a task for today. We should start by securing the humanitarian well-being of the Iranian people as they make this transition. Over the years, it has been demonstrated that the Iranian culture makes toppling governments a part of the national spirit. You should know that nearly 100% of ordinary Iranians believe the regime's days are numbered. I believe that too. I am also deeply heartened by the fact that the Iranian people have made it abundantly clear that they are increasingly unafraid of the regime. Rather than punish Iran for its continued aggression against us and our partners in the Middle East, sadly, the Biden Administration is trying to get back to the nuclear deal with a much weaker hand. As was the case with the Trump Administration, human rights and counter terrorism should be at the forefront of our policy, not appeasing the Iranian regime. We worked tirelessly to keep Iran from having a nuclear weapon and a nuclear program. We have to apply pressure until they change, or until reforms which move Iran toward a democratic form of government take place. We cannot shower the Ayatollah with money and economic benefits in the hopes that they won't be used to inflict terror and oppression. We have seen this sad story before. This thinking is foolish and backwards. The program of sanctions and pressure that was employed by the Trump Administration needs to remain the model if we want to ensure the security of the American people and the freedom of the people of Iran. I pray that the United States will not increase the resources the Ayatollah has at his disposal to do empower the theocracy. Engagement with the regime will lengthen the time that Iran and the regime has to behave as it has for these past decades denying basic human dignity Remember, the Ayatollah's power grab was not so much a revolution but a devolution. It's important to remember that. It was a lesson for me that I learned. And I must say I am hopeful. I am hopeful that the world has learned much about the theocracy in Iran these past few years. And it's not that we didn't know it before; you have all seen it before. Around the world, you can see that even in Europe the tide of tolerance for the regime is slipping. This is a good thing. We must continue to support the Iranian people as they fight for a freer and more democratic Iran in any way that they can. There is so much good work to do, and you all are doing today. In the end the Iranian people will have a secular, democratic, non-nuclear Republic. I pray that this day will come soon. It is a such a joy to be with you all today. I pray that these days will come soon with the Iranian people with the support of Iranians living all around the world--and those who resist from within, they are noble people--that day will come sooner. I am committed to this cause; I know you everyone in this room is as well. May your mission be blessed, and the Iranian people protected and provided for always. It is a hopeful time, a deeply hopeful time, and a time to redouble our efforts. Thank you for having me here today. God bless you, and may God bless the Iranian people.''

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate Carole Kinlow for the record on her nomination by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, for the Angels In Adoption Award. This award and recognition is something very personal to me as my wife Angie and I are foster-to-adopt parents to two of our four children. For over 24 years, Carole has served the Omaha community as a mentor and role model for young women in varying roles at many organizations. She served as an advocate at Emergency Pregnancy Services, instructor for the Kids Ability program and Girls Inc., Legal Advocate for victims of Domestic Violence at Youth Women's Christian Association, and as a property manager and regional supervisor assisting low-income families. These experiences led Carole and her husband David to become foster parents as well as family advocates for youth experiencing homelessness. It also led them to start the non-profit, Carole's House of Hope, a transitional living program to protect and foster the growth and success of women and their children. The goal of the non-profit is to meet the needs of these individuals' facing homelessness, with a particular emphasis to assist young women who found themselves homeless after becoming emancipated from the foster care system. Carole, whose motto is `Hope is believing, encouraging, dreaming, caring . . . hope is us,'' credits her personal and professional success to her husband David, who is the Director of Properties for Carole's House of Hope. She says he has stood by her side and served 22 years helping at-risk individuals including as a Youth Care Worker at Uta Halee/Cooper Village. Congratulations to Carole and her husband David, for this nomination honor. I am thankful for her service to so many in a segment of our community that is close to my heart.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish the people of Taiwan and Americans celebrating the upcoming Taiwan National Day on October 10th a Happy Double Ten Day. In the decades preceding and following the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the United States and Taiwan built a strong relationship that cannot be broken--a bond born out of our shared values and cooperation with one another in times of crisis, and in times of advancement. Taiwan has transformed itself into a model of democracy with a respect for human rights, freedom of speech, rule of law, and a market economy. Americans share these core values with Taiwan--the foundation of our strong relationship. Taiwan is a multidimensional success story and has shown that democracy can work in China. The United States and Taiwan have a long-standing and vibrant trade relationship. Taiwan is the United States' 9th largest goods trading partner. In 2020, two-way goods trade between the United States and Taiwan totaled $90.9 billion while goods and services trade between the countries totaled $106 billion the same year. Taiwan is one of the largest Asian markets for Nebraska's agricultural exports. Nebraskan companies have an abundant opportunity to expand their business and cooperation with Taiwan. I will continue to work with our friends in Taiwan to find areas where we can partner to our mutual benefit. This is a day to celebrate, and to be optimistic. I ask my colleagues to join me in recommitting to a robust U.S.-Taiwan relationship, and in wishing Taiwan a Happy Double Ten Day.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize two Hispanic trailblazers in Omaha--Robert, known as Bob, Campos and Dr. James, known as Jim, Ramirez--for their generous contributions to our community. After growing up together in the same working-class South Omaha neighborhood, Bob and Jim each went on to lead extraordinary, successful lives, and they have made a huge difference in our community. Bob Campos was born in 1938 to Mexican immigrant parents in South Omaha, a neighborhood long regarded as a melting pot of multicultural immigrant families. Growing up, his large family shared only a one- bedroom home. So when Bob was only 8 years old, he went to work at the neighborhood grocery store to earn some extra income for his family. At 16 years old, Campos dropped out of high school and attempted to enlist in the United States Marines but was unsuccessful after falsifying his age in his application. Shortly after that, he fulfilled his desire to serve his country by joining the U.S. Coast Guard. After his military service, Bob moved back to Omaha and worked at the Kiewit Construction Company. After 15 years at Kiewit, he started his own business, Campos Construction, on January 1, 1977. Starting his business with only $500 and a pickup truck, Campos grew his company to become the largest minority-owned construction company in Nebraska. Bob's reputation for excellence led him to take on high-profile projects, to include painting the home of President Abraham Lincoln in Illinois and building the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center in Omaha. In 2003, Bob leased the land to build community soccer fields in South Omaha, personally mowing and tending to the property now known as the Bob Campos Soccer Complex. Bob also fosters educational leadership opportunities for Hispanic high school students through the Grassroots Leadership Development Program. Dr. Jim Ramirez was born in 1934 to Mexican immigrant parents who worked in the meatpacking plants of South Omaha. During high school, Dr. Ramirez faced repeated discrimination and was told by guidance counselors and peers that Latinos such as himself did not belong in college. So after graduation, Jim joined his father at the Nebraska Beef packing plant, where arduous work motivated him to pursue higher education and a better life. For 18 years, Ramirez worked the slaughterhouse in the day and took classes at night; graduating in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He went on to earn his master's degree in guidance and counseling from UNO in 1974 and, ultimately, a Ph.D. in adult continuing education in 1984. Having witnessed discrimination throughout his years as a student, Dr. Ramirez made it his life's mission to promote pathways to higher education for Omaha's Hispanic community. In 1972 Dr. Ramirez was selected to chair UNO's Committee on Mexican- American Affairs, upon whose recommendation the University hired more Hispanic faculty, administrators, and staff. After earning his doctorate, Dr. Ramirez was hired by UNO as a professor and counselor, where he spent decades mentoring countless Hispanic and minority students. Dr. Ramirez went on to work as a human relations specialist at Omaha Public Schools, where he recruited Hispanic teachers from across the country to teach and mentor Omaha's Latino students. Additionally, today I would like to recognize the Latino Center of the Midlands for celebrating 50 years of serving Omaha's Hispanic community. The Latino Center is an education and social service nonprofit located in South Omaha, the heart of Omaha's Latino community. Founded officially in 1971 as the Chicano Awareness Center, their work is rooted in advocacy for and service to Omaha's Latino community. Their three major programs, Family and Community Well-Being, Pathways to Success, and Workforce Education and Innovation impact over 2,500 individuals and families a year. Currently it is led by Albert Varas. During Hispanic Heritage Month, no other two individuals and organization are deserving for our recognition than Bob Campos, Dr. Jim Ramirez, and the Latino Center. Together they demonstrate for all Americans, especially Latino Americans, that through hard work, perseverance, and faith, anything is possible. I am pleased to announce that Bob Campos, Dr. Jim Ramirez, and the Latino Center of the Midlands have been selected as the inaugural inductees to the Nebraska Hispanic Hall of Fame, established this year by the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with my office, where their stories and many others will be shared for centuries to come. Thank you, Bob and Jim, and the Latino Center, for making a difference in our great community.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of our great constituents and a great friend of mine, Joyce ``Clark'' Schram, who celebrated her 90th birthday on June 24. Joyce grew up on a farm, raising cows for milk and butter and chickens for eggs. To this day, Joyce remembers the winter day in 1936 that her father told them they had to give up their family farm. Joyce compares that day to a funeral. They loaded up and moved to a new farm near Council Bluffs owned by a wealthy man who knew nothing about farming. The Clark family lived on that farm for about 3 years until they moved to another farm east of Crescent, Iowa. On December 7, 1941, Joyce remembers celebrating her Uncle Leonard's birthday when his father-in-law, who was listening to the radio, shouted from across the big dining room table: ``We are at war.'' The room became silent. A few hours later, the family learned of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Months after this, Joyce recalls occasionally hearing the air raid sirens from Omaha and how they had to turn off their lights in their houses until an all-clear signal was given. Because her family had recently moved, Joyce had a 2-mile trek to her new school. She recalls her father making a path through the timber so she could complete the journey on her pony. Joyce's family moved once again to Council Bluffs, where she attended Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated in 1949. Although she graduated with a scholarship, she sacrificed going to college so that her family would not struggle financially. Joyce then went to work at Omaha Standard Truck Body for a short time before working at an insurance company. In 1952, she quit and moved back to help out at her family's farm, which was devastated by a flood. After helping her parents for a month, Joyce was offered a job at Mutual of Omaha as a claims auditor. During this time, men were hired more than women, but many men were serving in the Korean war, and Joyce had the skills needed to fill this job role. That fall, Joyce met her future husband, Conrad ``Connie'' Schram, shortly before he was deployed to Korea. When he returned a year later, he and Joyce began their courtship, married in 1955, and moved to a farm south of Valley, Nebraska. In 1956, their son John was born, and in 1957, their daughter Kathleen was born but tragically passed a month later. In 1960, they had a son, but he also, sadly, died at birth. Despite their losses, Joyce and her husband had more children, twin boys, Tim and Tom, who are both friends, and daughter Mary. Staying in the family business of farming, Joyce and her husband moved from a hill farm in Papillion, Nebraska, to the Hickey farm, which is on ground west of Joyce's house in the Platte River, Iowa, area. They lived there until 1976 when they built their house that Joyce lives in today. Joyce's husband unexpectedly passed in 1980, leaving Joyce to raise four children. While her twin boys were away at college, her older son John took over the family farm. Joyce said that it was a miracle that the family was able to survive through these tough times after her husband's passing. Joyce credits her children, her sister, Evelyn, and brother-in-law, Norman, for keeping her strong through those tough months. Joyce went back to school briefly before working for the Sarpy County Election Commission, where she has worked for 12 years to include as the Sarpy County Election Commissioner. In 1996, she was honored and selected as an electoral college member and has been active in the Republican Party for 35 years. Joyce Schram has lived an eventful, blessed, and full life surrounded by her family and many friends who love and adore her. It should be noted that to this day, Sunday dinner prepared by Joyce has been a staple in her home as long as anyone can remember, and of course, everyone is welcome for dinner. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, we wish Joyce all the best and congratulate her as she celebrates 90 years of life.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong opposition to this amendment and the extreme damage it would do to our national security. This amendment is misguided based on the rapid changes in the global threat environment. It is well-established that Russia has modernized its entire nuclear arsenal. Meanwhile, we are still debating it, and we have a 50-year-old ICBM. Even more concerning is that we have recently learned that China has embarked on a crash nuclear buildup program, the pace of which has stunned observers around the world. Open-source reporting has recently confirmed three new Chinese ICBM fields with over 100 silos each. When armed, these silos, along with China's road-mobile ICBMs model, will match our ICBM inventory, and they will be new. China is now on pace to quadruple its nuclear stockpile as it sprints to achieve parity with the United States and Russia. For the first time in our history, the United States confronts not one but two peer nuclear-armed competitors who do not share our values. Make no mistake, our friends and allies are watching this vote. Further delaying modernizing our land-based leg of the triad while China and Russia modernize theirs will have the disastrous effect of encouraging allies to develop their own nuclear capabilities or, worse, submit to coercion from China and Russia. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act. I commend the outstanding leadership of Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Mike Rogers for delivering strong, bipartisan legislation that provides for our common defense. While I am personally grateful that this bill includes dozens of my provisions, I am most proud of the fact that the bill sends a clear bipartisan message that we must keep our national defense spending level with inflation and reject the temptation to cut defense when our allies and enemies are questioning American leadership. As the White House's own strategic guidance states, America must confront global challenges from a position of strength, not weakness. I am also proud that this bill includes multiple provisions ensuring oversight and accountability for the recent debacle in Afghanistan. As we stand here today, this crisis is ongoing, with hundreds of U.S. citizens and residents, including my constituents from Nebraska, who are still trapped in Afghanistan. Oversight of the way the botched withdrawal was handled is not and should not be a partisan issue, and I am proud that the House has not backed away from its responsibilities. Madam Speaker, I urge support of this bill.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work and success of Timothy J. Burke, who retired from the Omaha Public Power District on July 2 after serving the company for 24 years. He began his career with OPPD in 1997 as vice president and in 2015 took over as the company's 12th President and CEO. During his time with OPPD, Tim faced some tough challenges, but with his tenacity and great leadership skills, he overcame them all. Burke's tenure as CEO will be remembered as one of transition. He made several decisions early on that set the future for OPPD. When he became the CEO, OPPD initiated utility-wide lean financial work to make the utility financially efficient and strong. Burke also made what he called the most difficult decision he ever made or had been involved with, recommending the closure of Fort Calhoun Nuclear Generating Station due to financial concerns and economies of scale at the country's smallest nuclear plant. In addition, under Burke, the company continued to achieve financial stability and 5 straight years of no general rate increase--which is amazing--which is now in its fifth year of no rate increases. Further, Burke's time at OPPD included a transition to more renewable energy and the commitment to be a net zero-carbon emitter by 2050. Throughout his career, Burke has remained active in local and industry organizations. His recent involvement includes the American Public Power Association, Large Public Power Council, Nebraska Power Association, the Business Ethics Alliance trustee, and the past chair and executive committee of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Midlands. He has also been heavily involved with Offutt Air Force Base and STRATCOM and has served as chair of the STRATCOM Consultation Committee. He is on the executive committee of the Offutt Air Force Base Advisory Council, and he has been a civic leader with the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader program. I had 16 assignments in the Air Force and found the local community around Offutt to be the most supportive and welcoming of all, and Tim embodies that patriotic welcoming spirit to the fullest. Family is extremely important to Tim. He and his wife, Terri, have three sons, five grandchildren, and a sixth grandbaby on the way. Post retirement, Tim is looking forward to first spending more time with his family and then finding ways to keep himself busy in the local area. He has been heavily involved in the local area, and I am sure he will continue to do so, and we need him. On top of all of this, one of Tim's passions is music, especially playing with his Irish pub band, the Shenanigans, with two of his sons. Burke is an exceptional leader and a skilled communicator and has served the Omaha area with honor and distinction. We thank Tim for his time with OPPD and for keeping the power on for those living in southeast Nebraska.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Charles Jackson French, a World War II hero with ties to Omaha who made one of the most underappreciated sacrifices in American military history The story of Charles Jackson French is an American story: One of courage, sacrifice, and hope. Charles, a Black man, was born in a racially segregated Foreman, Arkansas, on September 15, 1919. In 1937, Charles enlisted in the United States Navy. After completing his enlistment, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, to be with family, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he reenlisted. According to accounts, on September 5, 1942, Petty Officer First Class French was serving as a mess attendant in the racially segregated USS Gregory. As a Black man growing up in 1930's Arkansas, Charles lived in a time when segregation laws prohibited Black people from swimming alongside White people in public pools and beaches, yet when the USS Gregory was attacked and sunk by Japanese gunfire off the coast of Guadalcanal, it was Petty Officer French who dove into the treacherous waters of the Pacific to save his fellow sailors who had been wounded. Petty Officer French loaded 15 of his fellow sailors into a lifeboat and saved his injured comrades from drowning. However, Charles knew that they could not simply float to shores controlled by the Japanese where they would meet a fate worse than death. Prisoners were often tortured then executed. Military.com recounted how Charles tied a rope around his waist with the help of his shipmates and towed his fellow sailors through shark-infested waters for 8 long hours until they were finally identified and saved by an American landing craft. In his book ``Black Men and Blue Water'' Chester Wright recounted his conversation with Petty Officer French who told him that when he and the raft full of survivors were rescued, persons aboard the ship told Charles to go ``where the colored boys stay'' while the crew tended to the wounded White survivors. Charles further shared that the sailors rescued by him told the crew: ``He ain't going nowhere. He is a member of the Gregory's crew and he damned well will stay here with the rest of us.'' Just like the sailors who stepped up at the time for French, it is our time to stand up and recognize with full measure the sacrifice and service of French, whose story has been underappreciated by the Navy and history. A real-life hero like Charles must be recognized by the military and the country that he devoted his life to. In World War II, the Navy gave French a commendation letter. I have now asked the Navy to review and consider upgrading to a medal, and the Navy is reviewing this now. Full recognition of U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Charles Jackson French is long overdue. We owe it to Charles, his family, and to the millions of Americans who learned from Charles' story. Last Friday, I also introduced legislation to rename one of Omaha's post offices after Charles, and I am pleased that Representatives Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith have joined me in this effort to recognize a Nebraska hero. Today, I call on the Navy, Congress, and the White House to recognize the service and sacrifice of Petty Officer First Class French so that all Americans, especially our Nation's future leaders and servicemembers, can be inspired by Charles' display of patriotism and sacrifice. But also, so the family of Charles can be comforted by the eternal gratitude of a Nation that Petty Officer First Class French so dutifully served. This three-decade veteran salutes him.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the very concerning uptick in hate crimes against members of the Jewish community in recent weeks. To be clear, these incidents have not been isolated, and their sheer volume should frighten us all. We must do more to acknowledge these crimes against our Jewish brothers and sisters and ensure the perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable. Perhaps the most telling sign of how dangerous things have gotten is the statistical data. Those who clearly identify as Jews, with their garb and outward trappings, have been viciously and frequently targeted. According to the ADL, there has been an 80 percent increase in anti- Semitic incidents in the United States. Some include Nazi propaganda in public parks and synagogues as well as suspensions in schools related to anti-Semitic attacks. In Lincoln, Nebraska, the South Street Temple was spray-painted with swastikas and racial epithets. In Omaha, about 75 headstones were toppled and more than $50,000 in damage caused at the Temple Israel Cemetery. I have repeatedly condemned this behavior and stand with Nebraska's Jewish community and all of those across the U.S. who have experienced similar situations. Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most prominent leaders of the orthodox Jewish community, Rabbi Dovid Hofstedter, the son of Holocaust survivors who founded the Dirshu, the largest Torah organization in the world. Rabbi Hofstedter was compelled to come to Washington to address my colleagues and me about the very serious issues related to the safety and security of the State of Israel, including the hatred toward Israel that has manifested itself in many cases toward the entire Jewish people. I committed to Rabbi Hofstedter that we, in Congress, will do everything in our power to continue standing up for the Jewish people and ensuring their safety, from New York to Nebraska and all across the United States. During his address to my colleagues and I, Rabbi Hofstedter remarked that perhaps at no time since the 1930s have we found ourselves in a more similar situation. Jewish lives are being threatened both domestically and on a global scale. However, after watching the hate crimes against our Jewish brothers and sisters over the last few weeks, it is abundantly clear that the rabbi's words were sadly and tragically understated. It is time for all of us in Congress to wake up to the reality of the hatred that is being directed toward the Jewish people and ensure that ``never again'' truly means ``never again.'' Cowardice emboldens the enemy. What Rabbi Hofstedter and Dirshu represent is the true antidote to this venomous hatred that has been exhibited toward the community he leads. We must not buckle under fear but, rather, call out the haters and show that the Jewish people as a community will never stand down. They will continue to practice their Jewish heritage with their heads held high. Out of the darkness of the Holocaust, Rabbi Hofstedter decided to dedicate his life to reviving the levels of Jewish scholarship and education to the levels that were predating the Holocaust. As the son of Holocaust survivors, Rabbi Hofstedter's personal life's mission that he has chosen to undertake and execute upon ought to serve as a source of inspiration for every Member of this legislative body. Just as Martin Luther King once said: ``Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.'' I thank Rabbi Hofstedter for all that he and the members of the Dirshu continue to do to advance Jewish scholarship and education in the face of the evil that has been perpetrated on their community in recent weeks. May God bless them all. May God bless the United States of America.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I agree with the comments of many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle expressing grave concern over the President's decision to establish a date certain for the withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Afghanistan. I believe this decision is deeply misguided, and it is damaging to the long-term national security interests of the United States and our allies. The strawman argument of ending forever wars might be a convenient campaign slogan, but it is strategically naive and deeply offensive to those who have volunteered to fight to ensure that the very organization which attacked us on September 11, 2001, is incapable of ever doing it again. This is their job. It is a job that I did on four deployments. It is our sworn duty. It is their sworn duty. They are proud to do it, and we honor them for it. The truth is our force levels in Afghanistan are a fraction of what they once were, and have been steadily decreasing for years. Maintaining a small residual force is not an unaffordable or unsustainable burden. More than any other deployment in the world, the U.S. and NATO presence in Afghanistan delivers tangible strategic benefits to the U.S. at a relatively small and ever-decreasing cost, not to mention the immense humanitarian benefit to the people of Afghanistan itself, especially the women and the girls. The recent violence committed by the armed forces in Afghanistan only proves that the Taliban, al-Qaida, and ISIS-K clearly see this announcement as a full-fledged capitulation, and it reveals their true nature as untrustworthy and savage. A military withdrawal must always be based on conditions, not a calendar. By establishing a specific date, we are simply surrendering the hard-fought leverage we have gained over two decades, and we are inviting the Taliban to embark on a vicious reign of terror against the Afghanistan people. Furthermore, as a military man, I am utterly dismayed that we did not take the necessary steps to secure and prepare standoff basing in the region to project power when needed to conduct counterterrorism operations and to support the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces before announcing the withdrawal. We put the cart before the horse. We now have a moral obligation to ensure that the Afghan security forces can continue functioning with the proper military and financial support to keep the Taliban from once again plunging Afghanistan into darkness. Finally, and most urgently, we must honor our promises and keep faith with our partners and allies. Our values must remain the foundation of our foreign policy. If our partners and allies lose faith in our ability to back them up, we willingly cede the field to an enemy who seeks our destruction. It is now, unfortunately, a moral imperative to find a way to expedite the safe passage of the very people who stood by us for nearly two decades. They have been loyal to our shared vision and have sacrificed so much to the pursuit of democracy. Their safety must be an absolute priority for this administration. So far, we have not observed sufficient urgency in developing an interagency plan to do this and in requesting the necessary resources and authorities from Congress. If we don't do this, the Afghans who helped our military will be hunted down and murdered by the Taliban. We must ask ourselves: Did we learn anything from our clumsy withdrawal from Iraq in 2011? The only thing more expensive than maintaining a moderate level of stability in a country like Afghanistan is the bloodshed and cost we will bear if we are forced to return. This is not an academic, hypothetical consideration, nor is it a partisan issue. Like many others on this side of the aisle, I repeatedly and publicly expressed my deep concerns over President Trump's impulse for a hasty withdrawal. The Taliban is still allied with al-Qaida. If the Taliban prevails after our withdrawal, it is very likely that al-Qaida will once again have a safe haven to conduct terrorism, and this is the very reason we invaded Afghanistan in the first place. Fortunately, pushback from Congress and the previous administration slowed the withdrawal process while retaining negotiating leverage and key counterterrorism capabilities. Unfortunately, from my vantage point, this latest decision has abandoned any semblance of strategy. It is a retreat. This hasty withdrawal is a tragic mistake, and we are going to regret it. I urge the President to change course before it is too late.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Director Don Burman for his nearly 10 years of service in the United States Air Force, and 8 years of service within the Department of Veterans Affairs, 6 of which was in Nebraska's Second District at the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. Don is retiring from Federal service. Don is a Vietnam-era veteran. He served as a telecommunications center specialist, supporting the mission in Arkansas, Hawaii, also Fort Belvoir Army installation, and the Defense Nuclear Agency in Virginia. Don's healthcare career spans nearly 33 years, 25 of which were in private healthcare. In Nebraska's Second District, Don has served since March of 2015 as the director of the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. During his tenure, he was instrumental in proposing a partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and members of the private philanthropic community. His vision began a collaboration that produced the groundbreaking public law known as the CHIP IN for Vets Act of 2016. This law authorized the VA to carry out a pilot program under which it may accept donations from non-Federal entities. The Nebraska philanthropic community provided a gift of $30 million to be used to construct a new 157,000-square-foot ambulatory care clinic located on the grounds of the Omaha VA Medical Center. Through Don's leadership, tenacity, and innovation, a second public-private partnership recently began. CHI Health and Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System opened a new 35-bed Community Living Center for veterans in a non-VA medical facility at the CHI Health Midlands healthcare facility. Additionally, a new mental health pavilion and a new physical therapy and prosthetics building have started construction. Omaha's new 500- stall parking ramp opens in November, and all seven of the current community-based outpatient centers located around Nebraska and western Iowa have been rebuilt and/or refreshed in order to provide the most up-to-date healthcare facilities to veterans. In August of 2020, Forbes named America's best employers by State, and the Veterans Administration was cited as the best employer. Among the 17 States mentioned, the Nebraska VA was identified. Bringing Don's private experience and innovation to the Veterans Administration has served our veterans well in Nebraska and western Iowa. Don continues to use his personal and professional experience to aid him in understanding the needs of our veterans while solving complex issues associated with running a leading healthcare system for Nebraska and western Iowa. Never forgetting the mission of service to our veterans, I want to offer my sincere appreciation to Don, who is my great friend, for his years of dedicated service to our great Nation and to Nebraska's Second Congressional District. Don's accomplishments in his military service, civil service, and his private career are credits to his dedication to the provision of world-class healthcare no matter the venue. Don's retirement is well earned and deserved. I wish Don all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge defeat of the previous question so that we can immediately consider my bill to ensure that those who risk their lives to protect all of us are afforded greater protections as well. I introduced the Back the Blue Act of 2021 with Senator Cornyn in the Senate and my two original cosponsors in the House, Representatives Stivers and Johnson, during Police Week because this bill is needed now more than ever. There have been more officers shot and killed in the last 4\1/2\ months of 2021 than all of 2020 and all of 2019. In 4\1/2\ months, we have had more fatalities, more murders of policemen than in the whole year of 2020 and the whole year of 2019. It is clear that we need to enforce greater protections for those who protect us, and that is why my colleagues and I introduced the Back the Blue Act. The numbers are alarming. In 2018, 83 police officers were shot and 26 were killed. In 2019, 86 were shot and 18 were killed. And 2020, 89 were shot and 18 killed. This year, in 2021, as of April 30th, there have been 91 officers shot so far, and 19 of them killed by gunfire. Our police are being targeted. We need to defend our law enforcement and public safety officers, and our bill does just that. Specifically, the Back the Blue Act creates new criminal provisions to Federal law enforcement officers; U.S. judges; and federally funded public safety officers, such as firefighters, chaplains, and members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew. The Back the Blue Act creates a new Federal crime for killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a Federal judge, Federal law enforcement officer or a federally funded public safety officer. The offender would be subject to the death penalty and a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years if death results. The offender would otherwise face a minimum sentence of 10 years. The bill creates a new Federal crime for assaulting a federally funded law enforcement officer with escalating penalties, including mandatory minimums based on the extent of any injury and the use of a dangerous weapon. However, no prosecution can be commenced absent certification by the Attorney General that prosecution is appropriate. Now, I want to respond to my friend, who I respect, from Colorado. I condemned the behavior and the riot that occurred on January 6. Over one hundred of our policemen were injured. This bill provides extra protections for Capitol Hill law enforcement. Those who injured our Capitol Police on January 6 would be under greater punishment or penalties, if convicted. Our bill also creates a new Federal crime for interstate flight from justice to avoid prosecution for killing, attempting to kill or conspiring to kill a Federal judge, Federal law enforcement officer or federally funded public safety officer. The offender would be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years for this offense. Lastly, the Back the Blue Act creates a specific aggravating factor for the Federal death penalty prosecutions. It expands self-defense and Second Amendment rights for law enforcement officers. It opens up grant funding to strengthen relationships between police and their communities. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our law enforcement personally. I was a victim of crime twice, and both times I was deployed when I was assigned to the Air Force. My house was robbed once when I was a captain deployed to Bahrain. Another time, someone assumed a false identity when I was a lieutenant colonel during the invasion of Iraq when I was flying combat operations. Thankfully, one of the times the police captured one of the perpetrators and arrested him and he was charged for a crime. I deployed to go to the battle. Every day our police walk out their front door, after kissing their spouse good-bye, wondering if they are going to encounter a violent criminal. We cannot thank our police officers enough. During Police Week, I urge my colleagues to support our first responders by immediately considering and supporting the Back the Blue Act.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Small Business Month to recognize Homer's Music, a small business and top tourist attraction in Nebraska's Second District. This year, they celebrate 50 years of service to and entrepreneurship in our community. During those 50 years, Homer's Music had expanded to nearly a dozen locations in Nebraska and Iowa, but only the original Omaha location remains today. Established in 1971, Homer's Music is one of the founding tenants in Omaha's Old Market, which is comprised of century-old, four- and five- story brick warehouses that were renovated into shops, restaurants, and bars. In fact, The Old Market is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year as well. Homer's Music has been recognized as Nebraska's best music retailer and was featured in national publications, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. While they are known for selling vintage records, their love for music and its history remains timeless. It is one thing to own a business, but it is another to keep it alive for decades. Despite the ongoing pandemic that has financially impacted many local shops and businesses throughout America, Homer's Music has remained intact. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and society, many of which are family or minority-owned. Today, and every day, we thank all small businesses in our community and across Nebraska for their passion, entrepreneurship, and advancement to our State's economy and culture. Madam Speaker, I close with congratulations to Tom Weidner and family and to Mike Fratt and his team for accomplishing 50 years in business, and here is to 50 more.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the anniversary of the tragic loss of a 55th Wing RC-135 Cobra Ball aircraft on the remote island of Shemya, Alaska. Forty years ago last month, Cobra Ball tail number 2664 crashed on approach to Shemya Air Force Base, a rugged outpost on the far western tip of the Aleutian Islands. Six brave American airmen perished in the fiery crash that day, an eternal reminder of the cost of the Cold War and the price of vigilance we too often take for granted. The RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft--designated Cobra Ball--is designed to rapidly collect telemetry and special intelligence on ballistic missiles in flight. Throughout the Cold War and to the present day, reconnaissance crews from the 55th Wing are dispatched on short notice around the world to fly the RC-135 to gather technical intelligence on weapons tests that cannot be obtained by any other method. This information is used to verify treaty compliance and to support the continuous development of America's strategic and theater missile defense capabilities. Throughout the Cold War, the Strategic Air Command kept the Cobra Ball on a continuous 24-hour alert status on Shemya Island in the northern Pacific, affectionately known as The Rock. Their job was to launch at a moment's notice to keep a watchful eye on Soviet ballistic missile tests conducted from the Kamchatka Peninsula. On March 15, 1981, the 24 crewmembers on board the RC-135 tail number 61-2664 were en route to Shemya from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where they had been waiting for the weather at Shemya to clear. Blizzard conditions and extreme crosswinds were ravaging the small exposed island. This weather was not uncommon, just another day at the office for 55th Wing aircrew. However, after receiving clearance to land, weather conditions deteriorated rapidly. Firsthand accounts from crewmembers onboard describe the violent buffeting they experienced on descent as like being on the end of a yo- yo. The belly of the aircraft struck the edge of a cliff on the approach end of the runway, shearing off the landing gear. As the damaged aircraft slammed into the runway, engines three and four exploded and the fuselage broke in half. Flames engulfed the crew compartment as the disintegrating aircraft slid 2,000 feet, eventually careening off the runway and down a hill. The scene was chaotic as crewmembers worked to free themselves and their teammates from the burning wreckage while the blizzard raged. Miraculously, 18 crewmembers escaped from the flames that day. Their bodies burned and broken, they worked feverishly to extract their fellow airmen from the fiery wreckage. In the end, six men died on that lonely airfield that day. Their names were: Major William Bennett, Captain Larry Mayfield, First Lieutenant Loren Ginter, Master Sergeant Stephen Kish, Staff Sergeant Steven Balcer, and Staff Sergeant Harry Parsons, III. We honor their service and their sacrifice and commend their spirit to the Creator. We pray for their families and loved ones who cherish their memory. We also honor the survivors of this tragic crash who will forever bear the scars of their service and the memory of that day. May we never forget what they gave to the cause of freedom, and that it was the dedication of warriors like these that won the Cold War. And may we pledge to honor their sacrifice by recommitting ourselves to eternal vigilance in the defense of freedom.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the passing of Omaha's last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, Robert Holts, who passed away on February 12 at his retirement home in Bellevue. He joined the still-segregated U.S. Army in November 1942, and quickly landed in an aviation training program that would lead to a slot in the 332nd Fighter Group known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Not only did he and other members make history as the first all-Black unit, but they also made history through their exemplary service, and they changed America for the better and forever. The famed Tuskegee Airmen protected Allied bombers during the last 2 years of World War II. They were the first group of African-American military pilots and airmen in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and Holts was one of the 21 Tuskegee Airmen that had ties to Omaha. Holts continually surmounted the challenges of racism, segregation policies, and the Great Depression faced in his life. Born in 1924, Holts attended Kellom Elementary School and Omaha Central High School. Holts had a strong high school record, and he was given the opportunity to join an aviation program that flew P-51 Mustangs. They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen, a nod to the name of the base they trained at. More than 15,000 missions were flown by the Tuskegee Airmen, and they destroyed 261 German aircraft. After the war, Holts worked as a U.S. Postal Service employee for nearly 40 years before settling in North Omaha near family. A little more than 60 years later, Holts and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their heroic actions in World War II. Not only have they been lauded for their actions as fighters for our country in a world war, but as fighters for civil rights for all. Our country is better and stronger because of the Tuskegee Airmen and heroes like Robert Holts. We shall always remember the legacy of Robert Holts. Honoring Gina Ponce and B.C. Clark