Don Bacon

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor two women from our district for Women's History Month because of their commitment to advancing opportunities and experiences for women. Gina Ponce and B.C. Clark are historymakers, as they work to empower women in our community. Born and raised in the Bronx, Gina has been in Nebraska for 25 years and is the mother of two sons and grandmother to one granddaughter. She credits her father as her inspiration in serving others, as he led by example in his service to the community. Gina has been in her current position as director of Latino community outreach at Bellevue University since 2015, where she is responsible for managing outreach and admissions including the Latino community. She sees her two biggest accomplishments as founding the Women on a Mission nonprofit 11 years ago and opening the El Camino Latino Center at Bellevue University. Women on a Mission engages in outreach to build up and empower women and girls spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Recent awards she received include the 2020 Heartland United for Puerto Rico Award, the 2017 Women of Color Leadership Award, and the 2013 Latina of the Year. However, Gina says she sees her award every day in the success of those she has helped, and she credits her own success to the passion and gifts that come out of the South Omaha community. Also passionate about assisting women in their visions and dreams is the founder and president of the Metro Omaha Women's Business Center, B.C. Clark. She continues to inspire women and accelerate their success by creating economic opportunities through programs offered by her center. Those opportunities include a monthly business forum, quarterly Success Series, and various workshops and trade shows to educate, inspire, and encourage entrepreneurs and businessowners. In 2014, B.C. also started the Business Connection Nebraska, a local television show on public access TV, where she showcases businessowners from across the State. She is also a well-respected speaker and mentor for several community and minority business groups, where her knowledge of how to increase profitability and operational efficiency, as well as satisfy customer expectations, has helped many businessowners excel professionally. In addition, B.C. volunteers at Carole's House of Hope, where she mentors inner-city young women. She is a former president of the Midlands Latino Community Development Center, encouraging and promoting Latino businesses. B.C. credits her faith as a factor in her own achievement and is quick to recognize others who have helped her in her quest to help others find success. She also recognizes that a belief in yourself will make you successful. As she told her own granddaughters: ``You don't have to wait for a man to give you a diamond ring. If you want it, you can work for it.'' Both Gina Ponce and B.C. Clark are role models not only for women, but for our community, as they have demonstrated their service to help others succeed. Because of leaders such as they, the numbers of businesses owned by women in the United States has increased by 114 percent in the last 20 years, and 64 percent of new women-owned businesses were started by women of color.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize three ``Legacy Leaders'' from my district in Nebraska for Black History Month. Every February, we celebrate the achievements of African Americans and recognize their pivotal roles in the history of our great country. This year, I recognize Ella Willis, Teela Mickles, and Bettie McDonald, who have worked diligently to leave a meaningful and lasting impact on the Omaha community. Originally from North Carolina, our first Legacy Leader, Ella Willis, came to Omaha in 1967, right after the race riots. After seeing the damage and destruction from the riots not being repaired, she joined the Neighborhood Action and Fact Association, founded by Andy ``Handy''. Around 2004, Mrs. Willis became the president of the association. She worked to secure grant funding for the beautification of 24th Street and the neighborhood garden and marketplace building. The association assisted with the painting of murals along the 24th Street corridor, including The Union for Contemporary Art. In 2005, under Mrs. Willis' leadership, the association received the Environmental Improvement Award from the Urban Community Improvement Program. Her community advocacy started long before, when she joined the NAACP in the early sixties, while her husband served in Vietnam. She participated in the voting registration process, protesting for the right for Black women to vote and registering Black men. Mrs. Willis thanks God for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and praises his belief in justice, hope, love, and nonviolence, saying, ``This is what we must learn together as brothers and sisters of God. Have love and faith in your heart.'' Another Legacy Leader is Teela A. Mickles, the founder and CEO of Compassion in Action, a faith-based, nonprofit organization that serves individuals confined in the State correctional facilities and families affected by incarceration. Mrs. Mickles became a single parent to five young children after an unfortunate turn in life and later attended college, earning her associate degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling. At the same time, she developed Compassion in Action's Pre-Release Education/Reentry Preparation Program, with her motto of ``Embracing the person, rebuilding the family, and breaking the cycle.'' She has been recognized for her dedication and accomplishments through the years: The UNO Woman of Color Award, Heartland Family Services' Family Advocacy Award, and the City of Omaha Excellence Award, and many, many more. Mrs. Mickles is also an ordained minister on staff at Mission Church and credits the success of her organization to her strong faith in God and belief that every person is viable. As she says: ``If you're not dead, God's not done.'' Our third Legacy Leader is Bettie McDonald, cofounder of Native Omaha Days, a week-long homecoming event that celebrates the community's historical and cultural legacies. Born and raised in Omaha, Bettie belongs to the Bryant-Fisher family, hailed as one of the most prodigious Black families in Nebraska. After graduating from the Allhouse School of Beauty and Culture, she became owner of her own beauty shop of over 50 years, The Economy Beauty Salon. The vision for a reunion of native Omahans was first arranged in 1976 and less than a year later the original founding planning members, Vera Johnson and Bettie McDonald, started a tradition of the week-long celebration. It is now known as Native Omaha Days and, every 2 years, has brought people to Omaha from across the country. Approaching its 22nd biennial, Native Omaha Days has reached a peak, influencing cultural programming along 24th Street and adjacent North Omaha neighborhoods. Bettie is an active member of St. Paul Baptist Church. This year she will celebrate 70 years of marriage, 70 years, to her husband, Jesse McDonald. I personally thank these three women for making a difference and leaving a legacy of future Black leaders in Omaha. We owe them much gratitude and recognition.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a faithful public servant who served the city of Omaha for nearly 23 years. Paul Kratz, who led the city's legal department as the city attorney, retired last week to spend his days with his wife of 47 years, Diane. He is also a wonderful friend of mine. A 1975 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Law, Paul oversaw a staff of 35, including 24 attorneys, and negotiated redevelopment agreements and managed litigation. Originally hired by former Mayor Hal Daub, also a former Congressman here, he served during the administrations of Mayor Mike Fahey, Mayor Jim Suttle, and current Mayor Jean Stothert. Mayor Stothert had this to say about Mr. Kratz: Paul has been an important adviser, negotiator, and taxpayer advocate for more than two decades. He has guided mayors and city councils to make decisions that make Omaha the great and growing city it is today. Former Mayor Suttle said this about him: During my time as mayor, Paul Kratz always told me what I needed to hear, not necessarily what I wanted to hear. Out of this foundation came a strong relationship built on trust and honesty. In addition, it made me a better mayor and a better leader, especially as we led the city through the two major tragedies of a potential bankruptcy and the devastating 2011 Missouri River flood. Former Mayor Daub said this: Paul Kratz brought unique skills and a love of public service to Omaha city government. Always the gentleman, his calm and pleasant demeanor provided stability in his well- managed office and earns broad agreement of admiring his objectivity and wise advice. He understood and appreciated the political ramifications of legal advice, the value of compromise, and his insights and creative recommendations to a multitude of tough issues were always helpful. His talent and tenacity in public service is rare, and he will leave very large shoes to fill. Paul Kratz may have been the man behind the curtain in negotiations, but his legacy will remain because of dozens of projects, including the CHI Health Center, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, the TD Ameritrade Park, and the College World Series contract. In addition, the legacy of service of the Kratz family continues with his children. His youngest son, Gregory Kratz, practices law in Fairbury, Nebraska, and also serves as an officer in the Nebraska Air National Guard. Jeff Kratz, his oldest son, serves as my legislative director and has worked for many years serving the needs of Nebraska taxpayers. Paul Kratz's dedication to Nebraska has touched countless lives, and his positive example has surely inspired another generation of his family to carry his torch for many years to come. We thank him for his dedicated service to our city and wish him the best in future endeavors. Recognizing Steve Nelson on His Retirement

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Steve Nelson, a man who has been at the forefront of Nebraska's booming agriculture industry and who retired on December 8 of this year as the president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, a position he has faithfully served since 2011. A farmer his whole life, Steve has produced irrigated corn, hybrid seed corn, and soybeans at his farm near Axtell in south central Nebraska. In his work with the Farm Bureau, both before and during his tenure as president, Steve has helped to secure farm bills and worked to reform and lower taxes to help protect farm and ranch families. He has also fought to bolster animal agriculture against those who want to end it and sought initiatives to grow Nebraska's livestock industry. While Texas and Nebraska may have had a rivalry on the football field, they also have held a rivalry in livestock. During Steve's time as president, Nebraska was ranked first for several years in commercial red meat production. Steve has also advocated for Nebraska's agriculture industry to other countries, serving as a delegation member to Denmark, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, and many others. I am sure his wife, Elma, a retired nurse, is looking forward to spending more time with her husband and is proud of the work he has done, as are his kids: Scott and his wife, Amy, who farm with Steve; and their daughter, Stacy, and her husband, Bobby, who live in Ashland. Sadly, their daughter, Sarah, passed away unexpectedly in 2006. Of course, his four grandchildren, I am sure, will spend more time with grandpa on the farm. I thank Steve for advocating and bolstering Nebraska's agriculture industry. I thank him for his friendship and his counsel. Madam Speaker, I wish Steve the best on his retirement from the bureau.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Colorado for giving me the opportunity to share my faith tonight. It is the most important aspect of my life. I became a believer at the age of 13. I thank my dad for taking me to church every week and for leading Bible studies with our family. I learned at a young age that our God is the mighty creator of the universe, a just God who is holy and perfect, a loving God that cares for each of us, and He made salvation possible through having faith and believing in His Son, Jesus. The Bible is the most important book ever written, and in the end, it is the most valuable possession I own. A Bible may cost only $20, but the values of lives changed for eternity cannot be measured. I am grateful the Bible teaches us who God is, about His character. I am also grateful the Bible tells us about the hope we can have in our eternal future. Without that hope, I know I would feel lost. I love the verses where Jesus says: My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you may also be where I am. There is eternal life. There is hope. I am thankful the Bible gives us directions on how to live and provides a roadmap for life. Without that guidance, again, I would feel lost. Also, I am thankful that the Bible gave me confidence in frightening moments. In one of my four deployments to the Middle East, I was deployed to Baghdad, where we were attacked every single day with mortars and rockets, sometimes 30 rockets or mortars a day. People were being killed around me. God said in Matthew: Do not fear man who can take your life but not your soul. I meditated on that verse every day. My soul was secure, and God told me not to fear. In times of life, when things seem unfair, I am reminded of the words God gave the Apostle Paul when He said: ``My grace is sufficient for you.'' I have often had to be reminded that God's grace has been sufficient for me. Mr. Speaker, I will close with an anecdote from Abraham Lincoln, in my mind, our greatest President. In 1864, some former slaves from Maryland presented Lincoln with the gift of a Bible, and Lincoln replied: ``In regards to this great Book, I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book.''

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to retired Lieutenant General Robert C. Hinson, U.S. Air Force, the founding executive director of the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, who recently announced his retirement at the end of this year. General Hinson retires after more than a half century of highly distinguished service supporting the missions of the Department of Defense, commercial industry, and the University of Nebraska. General Robert Hinson's leadership and dedication to the principles of freedom have been indispensable for America's national security interest. He began his career by enlisting in the United States Air Force. After spending 1 year as an administrative specialist, he received a commission from Officer Training School in 1971. General Hinson retired after 33 years of exemplary Active-Duty military service. Over the course of his career, he distinguished himself as an outstanding military leader commanding many units, including the 529th Bomb Squadron, the 99th Operations and Maintenance Group, the 99th Tactics and Training Wing, the 28th Bomb Wing, the 45th Space Wing, and the 14th Air Force. General Hinson later rose to positions of great responsibility, serving as the vice commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, and then later as a deputy commander of the United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. General Hinson is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours, primarily flying in bomber aircraft, to include the B-52, FB-111, and the B-1. He received many prestigious awards and decorations during a long, selfless military career that included 25 moves for his family. General Hinson continued to support the national security of the United States upon his retirement from the Air Force, serving 9 years as the vice president of government programs and corporate lead executive at Northrop Grumman. Continuing to answer the call of his country, General Hinson then became the founding executive director for the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska. With vision, tenacity, and leadership, he created the great team that established this Department of Defense, University Affiliated Research Center, known as UARC, at the University of Nebraska. Sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command, the National Strategic Research Institute became the first UARC supporting a combatant command. NSRI provides scientific-based solutions across the threat spectrum and across multiple domains. With an intense mission focus, General Hinson has been the driving force, creating a trusted research institution which, today, is recognized globally for deepening U.S. strategic and operational understanding of 21st century national security challenges. General Hinson led a team of 75 professionals, working from offices and laboratories across the University of Nebraska's campuses and near customers in the National Capital and Space Coast regions. During his tenure, NSRI has collaborated with more than 350 Nebraska University researchers and students, serving 44 customers across DOD and the Federal Government, while executing over $300 million in Federal research funding. In addition to his prolific and military and civilian careers, General Hinson continued contributing to his community, serving on the board of directors for several organizations, to include the STRATCOM Consultation Committee, the STRATCOM Strategic Advisory Group's Bomber Task Force Panel, the Strategic Air Command, and the Air and Space Museum. He also served on the Offutt Air Force Base Advisory Council and The Peter Kiewit Institute Board of Policy Advisors. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank General Hinson for being a mentor of mine when I commanded the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base back in 2011 and 2012. Mr. Speaker, this Nation owes a debt of gratitude to this outstanding warrior who firmly believes in service before self and excellence in all he did. I thank General Hinson for his nearly 50 years of outstanding public service and wish him and his family all the best as he begins the next chapter of his life.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of the conference report to accompany the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act. For the past 59 years, Congress has passed the NDAA on a bipartisan basis for one simple reason: Politics must never, ever stand between the American people and the security of our country. This record of bipartisan unity is unrivaled in our history and a testament to what we can do when we come together to ensure that the needs of our Nation are met. As a conferee, I can proudly say that this bill wisely balances the differences between each Chamber and puts America's security first. Let me say at the outset that I am in agreement with the President's concerns about section 230 and the need to deny broad immunity to tech companies that abuse legal protections to censor voices that do not share their particular political viewpoints. However, as important as this issue is, it falls outside the jurisdiction of this bill and deserves its own debate and a separate vote so that every Member of Congress is on record where they stand. For Members considering to vote ``no'' because of this issue, ask yourself: Do you think you will get a better bill in 2 months? The answer is no. I wish to commend the outstanding leadership of Chairman Smith and my friend Mac Thornberry for navigating this bill through conference. Under their leadership, this legislation will continue the readiness recovery we began 4 years ago. It will fully fund modernization of our strategic nuclear deterrence. It ensures America's military advantage well into the future with necessary investments in air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace. It directs the Secretary of Defense to establish emergency medical surge partnerships with Federal, State, and local entities, universities, and private healthcare providers to prepare for future pandemics. It keeps the faith of our servicemembers and military families. This bill also provides long-overdue support and relief to veterans suffering from toxic exposure. As an airman who deployed four times, I served with many who were exposed to burn pits and now suffer from tumors in their lungs. This bill grants presumptive benefits for veterans suffering from these illnesses and requires the VA to fast- track disability statuses. So this conference report provides our servicemembers the tools they need to defend America. On the 60th consecutive NDAA, I am proud to have helped craft this bill, and I thank the statesmanship of Mac Thornberry, whose name it bears. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I had a possible exposure to COVID-19 and have gone into quarantine in accordance with CDC guidelines. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 230, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 231, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 232. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 965, 116th congress Barragan (Beyer) Bera (Aguilar) Bonamici (Clark (MA)) Boyle, Brendan F. (Jeffries) Brownley (CA) (Clark (MA)) Carson (IN) (Cleaver) Castor (FL) (Demings) Cohen (Beyer) Costa (Cooper) DeSaulnier (Matsui) Deutch (Rice (NY)) Doggett (Raskin) Doyle, Michael F. (Cartwright) Escobar (Garcia (TX)) Frankel (Clark (MA)) Garamendi (Sherman) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Hastings (Wasserman Schultz) Higgins (NY) (Sanchez) Jayapal (Raskin) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kaptur (Dingell) Kennedy (Kuster (NH)) Kim (Davids (KS)) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lamb (Golden) Langevin (Lynch) Lawson (FL) (Demings) Lee (NV) (Kuster (NH)) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Lipinski (Schrader) Lofgren (Jeffries) Lowenthal (Beyer) Lowey (Tonko) McEachin (Wexton) McNerney (Raskin) Meng (Kuster (NH)) Moore (Beyer) Mucarsel-Powell (Wasserman Schultz) Nadler (Jeffries) Napolitano (Correa) Pascrell (Pallone) Payne (Wasserman Schultz) Peters (Kildee) Pingree (Kuster (NH)) Pocan (Raskin) Porter (Wexton) Pressley (Trahan) Price (NC) (Butterfield) Roybal-Allard (Garcia (TX)) Ruiz (Dingell) Rush (Underwood) Schneider (Casten (IL)) Schrier (DelBene) Serrano (Jeffries) Sherrill (Pallone) Sires (Norcross) Speier (Scanlon) Thompson (CA) (Kildee) Titus (Connolly) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Welch (McGovern) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I had a possible exposure to COVID-19 and have gone into quarantine in accordance with CDC. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 228. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 965, 116th congress Barragan (Beyer) Bera (Aguilar) Bonamici (Clark (MA)) Boyle, Brendan F. (Jeffries) Brownley (CA) (Clark (MA)) Carson (IN) (Cleaver) Castor (FL) (Demings) Cohen (Beyer) Costa (Cooper) DeSaulnier (Matsui) Deutch (Rice (NY)) Doggett (Raskin) Escobar (Garcia (TX)) Frankel (Clark (MA)) Garamendi (Sherman) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Hastings (Wasserman Schultz) Higgins (NY) (Sanchez) Jayapal (Raskin) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kaptur (Dingell) Keating (Vargas) Kennedy (Kuster (NH)) Kim (Davids (KS)) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Lamb (Golden) Langevin (Lynch) Lawson (FL) (Demings) Lee (NV) (Kuster (NH)) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Lipinski (Schrader) Lofgren (Jeffries) Lowenthal (Beyer) Lowey (Tonko) McEachin (Wexton) McNerney (Raskin) Meng (Kuster (NH)) Moore (Beyer) Mucarsel-Powell (Wasserman Schultz) Nadler (Jeffries) Napolitano (Correa) Pascrell (Pallone) Payne (Wasserman Schultz) Peters (Kildee) Pingree (Kuster (NH)) Pocan (Raskin) Porter (Wexton) Pressley (Trahan) Price (NC) (Butterfield) Roybal-Allard (Garcia (TX)) Ruiz (Dingell) Rush (Underwood) Schneider (Casten (IL)) Schrier (DelBene) Serrano (Jeffries) Sherrill (Pallone) Sires (Norcross) Thompson (CA) (Kildee) Titus (Connolly) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Welch (McGovern) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and ask that we defeat the previous question and move to pass Congressman Chabot's bill. We are now in our sixth month of this pandemic. In our efforts to combat this virus, the backbone of our economy, our small businesses, have suffered greatly. Only now, after months of government-imposed restrictions, is our economy starting to reopen and we are seeing the unemployment drop, in part, but not throughout our economy. Even in my home State of Nebraska, with the lowest unemployment rate in the Nation, some of our small businesses are still struggling. While restaurants and bars are getting back to work, others are still shut down. Our live music venues, our playhouses, our travel and tour companies are still facing some very dark times and may not open for 3 months. Some may never reopen without Congressman Chabot's bill. Congress needs to put our partisan differences aside. Stop playing election-year political games and come together to help the American people. While we may be divided on if we should bail out cities that were struggling financially prior to COVID, we can all agree that certain segments of our economy are struggling in every city. This bill will help our Nation's smallest, most vulnerable businesses in every city. It will expand eligibility and expand the PPP throughout the end of the calendar year to help these businesses in every city. We can agree that this is needed from the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in-between. Congress should act now. I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question and move to pass the low-hanging fruit of the Chabot bill.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Native American Heritage Month by honoring the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska on their 30th anniversary of restoration as a federally recognized Tribe. The Ponca Tribe was originally part of the Omaha Tribe and settled near the Niobrara River of Nebraska in 1793. In 1877, the Ponca Tribe was forcibly removed from their beloved Niobrara River homeland and sent to Indian territory in central Oklahoma. During their first year in Oklahoma, 25 percent of the Ponca Tribe died from malaria and starvation. Among the dead was Chief Standing Bear's eldest son Bear Shield, who had pleaded to be laid to rest in their sacred burial grounds. A few weeks later, in January of 1879, Chief Standing Bear began the 600-mile trek to their Niobrara homeland. Just 2 days shy of their homeland, during a brief stop at the Omaha reservation, the group was stopped and arrested for leaving Oklahoma. The arrest led to the landmark case of Standing Bear v. Crook, which established the precedent of recognizing ``Indian'' as an equal person under the law, including the constitutional guarantee of fair treatment during trial. At the end of the trial, Chief Standing Bear delivered a speech demanding equality, with the famous words: ``That hand is not the color of yours, but if I prick it, the blood will flow, and I shall feel pain. The blood is the same color as yours. God made me, and I am a man.'' After the trial, Chief Standing Bear and his companions were allowed to return to their Niobrara homeland. However, in 1962, Congress decided the Ponca Tribe would be among the Tribes no longer recognized. Two decades later, in 1986, the Northern Ponca Restoration Committee was created by Fred LeRoy, a veteran and a Ponca himself. Within 2 years, LeRoy drafted the petition for restoration, and the Ponca Tribe met the requirements of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Federal recognition. On October 31, 1990, the legislation was signed into law, and the Ponca were once again recognized by the Federal Government. Fred LeRoy was then named chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. Although the Ponca Tribe will still be without a reservation, they have established service delivery areas throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. These areas have centers offering health, social, domestic violence, and education services. One such center was aptly named the Fred LeRoy Health and Wellness Center. Through the tremendous efforts of Chairman LeRoy and subsequent leaders, the Ponca have not only preserved but further cultivated their heritage. Current Chairman Larry Wright, Jr., considers his proudest accomplishments to be the purchase of 1,800 acres of the original homeland, including Chief Standing Bear's burial site. Chairman Wright, Jr., illustrated the belief that because their ancestors are buried in the Niobrara River Valley, Ponca DNA is infused within the land, water, animals, and everything that grows there, completing the circle of life. Today, three different statues pay tribute to the fearless leader Chief Standing Bear. One statue resides in Centennial Mall of Lincoln, Nebraska, and another overlooks the Niobrara homeland. Finally, a bronze statue of Chief Standing Bear stands in its rightful place in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol, representing the State of Nebraska. With these three monuments, thousands of Nebraskans and millions from around the world will come now to know the Poncas and their story. Unfortunately, social disconnects of racial disparity and basic human rights still exist in our country. In recognizing the Ponca Tribe's abundant history, we highlight a story of oppression, despair, struggle, and perseverance. Today, we honor and celebrate the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and every Native American once considered a half person. American author and civil rights activist Audre Lorde once said: ``It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.'' Now more than ever, we must unite as Americans and celebrate our diversity to heal the wounds of social injustice.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my very respected friend from Wisconsin today for yielding. We had our 5-minute speeches cut short, so I appreciate the opportunity. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Dean C. Mathisen for 20 years of service to our Nation and Nebraska's Second District. Dean is retiring from Federal service at the end of the 116th Congress in January 2021. Dean is a former U.S. Army officer and a combat veteran. He served as a field artillery officer on Active Duty in the U.S. Army during the Cold War, on its front lines in West Germany. He was next assigned as a military police officer who deployed to the desert during the first Gulf war. Dean also commanded a transportation company in the U.S. Army Reserves. In Nebraska's Second District, Dean served over 12 years as a senior constituent liaison for the Honorable Lee Terry from 2002 to January 2015. During this tenure, he was instrumental in identifying the need and communicating with the Department of Veterans Affairs about bringing a national veterans cemetery to the district. Dean was a key element in finding the resources to enable the first homeless veterans housing project in Omaha to be completed as well. Dean then crossed the Missouri River in Iowa in 2016 and continued his Federal service in the office of the Honorable Joni Ernst. Here, he continued to use his personal experience to aid him in understanding the needs of our military servicemembers and veterans while solving constituent issues. In 2017, Dean became a member of my original Omaha district office team as a senior constituent liaison. During this time, he saw the need for and coordinated the efforts to establish a Federal veterans court for the State of Nebraska. In the summer, Dean was promoted to deputy district director. In his free time, Dean is active in local animal rescue and animal- assisted therapy. He is known in our office to be an avid horseman, hunter, and shooter. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion and is known as a great Dane. I want to offer Dean my sincere appreciation for his years of dedicated service to our great Nation and to Nebraska's Second Congressional District. His retirement is well earned. He should take great pride in his accomplishments in both his military and civil service careers for the citizens of the United States of America and the constituents of the Second District of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I wish Dean all the best in his future endeavors. Hispanic Heritage Month: Honoring Kathy and Greg Gonzalez

Mr. BACON. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to commemorate two wonderful people during Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring a husband and wife pair of wonderful police officers from my district in Omaha. They have given lifetime contributions to law enforcement and have engaged in community efforts for our hometown. Gregory Michael Gonzalez and Katherine Lynn Belcastro-Gonzalez were born in South Omaha in the early seventies to immigrant families. One of six siblings, Greg grew up in a military environment as his father was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base. Kathy's mother fled from Lithuania to Nebraska after her grandfather was taken as a prisoner of war. Kathy and her siblings were then raised in the basement of a Lithuanian parish in South Omaha. Kathy and Greg were high school sweethearts at Omaha South High and went on to become married first-generation college graduates. Greg obtained an athletic scholarship at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Kathy attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln while simultaneously working three jobs. She graduated in 1993 and joined the Omaha Police Department the following year. Greg began his career in law enforcement in 1993 as the only Mexican American in the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. As assistant chief of the Omaha Police Department, Greg now helps oversee the hiring of officers and works to reflect the diverse community it serves, including Spanish-speaking officers. Additionally, Greg is an adjunct police academy instructor and instructs criminal justice courses at his alma mater. As captain of Omaha's southeast precinct, Kathy oversees one of the most culturally diverse areas in Omaha. In addition, her precinct also manages large-scale events and cultural celebrations, including the NCAA College World Series, events at TD Ameritrade Park, and Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Athletics are another passion Kathy and Greg share, and they believe competitiveness and teamwork are interpersonal skills that transfer from sports to the rest of life. The couple was instrumental in expanding the already successful police-led sports program for at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Omaha called the Police Athletics for Community Engagement, or PACE. This program is led by police officers and volunteers and was founded in 2005 by Detective Tony Espejo, a 30-year member of the Omaha Police Department and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Currently, retired OPD Captain Rich Gonzalez serves as PACE's executive director. This September, Greg and Kathy celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary joined by their three children, Izabella, Greg Jr., and Alex. Overall, Kathy and Greg believe they would not be where they are today without the support of parents and extended family. With an extended list of combined accolades and awards locally and nationally, Greg and Kathy Gonzalez exemplify the American Dream and the quintessential rise to success from hardworking immigrant families. Mr. Speaker, we salute Greg and Kathy. May the future reward them with health and prosperity to continue to serve and protect our communities.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two dedicated residents from our district of Omaha who stepped up to the challenge COVID-19 has placed on our communities. Holly Barstow and Patricia Longacre started a mask-making movement that accomplished an incredible feat. Since March, they and over 2,400 volunteers stayed busy as they worked to make over 140,000 masks. Holly and Patricia's efforts started as a project to make 10,000 masks for local hospital personnel and first responders but quickly grew. In addition to the 140,000 masks, they also produced over 36,000 surgical caps, 200 surgical gowns, 500 face shields, and thousands of ear savers. They are now retiring, as commercial masks are readily available. I admire and thank Holly and Patricia for serving others. They have inspired many to be servant leaders. They have also demonstrated the innovative and can-do spirit that makes America great. We admire them.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the service of Jerry Yuchieh Wang. Mr. Wang is an outgoing Senior Officer in the Congressional Liaison Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), which is the de facto embassy of Taiwan. Mr. Wang is returning to Taiwan for his next assignment in the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan). During his service as the TECRO contact for my office, as well as the House Armed Services Committee, Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Wang has been an invaluable resource for my staff and me. In 2015, Mr. Wang was hand-picked to serve as a congressional liaison for TECRO. During his five and a half years of service in this position, Mr. Wang's insights assisted Members in gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of the United States' relationship with Taiwan and facilitated visits between U.S. and Taiwanese officials at all levels. Since arriving in Washington, Mr. Wang has played an important role in supporting the strengthening of US-Taiwan security cooperation, personnel exchanges, and the provision of critical defense articles as required by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. He was also an integral member of the TECRO team supporting Taiwan's participation in international Organizations and US-Taiwan trade relations. Additionally, Mr. Wang has organized and overseen many Congressional Member and Staff Delegation visits to Taiwan, including my own. Mr. Wang has served in Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010. Early in his diplomatic career, he worked in the Department of International Organizations on Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) related issues. Mr. Wang received a Master's degree in Political Science from the National Taiwan University. Mr. Wang has been a tireless advocate for the universal values of liberty, democracy, and the respect for the integrity of individual rights--values that are shared by the people of the United States and Taiwan. Our world is a better place because of the work of leaders like Mr. Wang. While Mr. Wang secured many legislative victories for Taiwan during his tenure in Washington, D.C., he made even more long-lasting friendships. My colleagues and our staff are proud to call him a friend, and we hope to see him back in Washington, D.C. one day.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History Month to recognize a dedicated public servant from Nebraska's Seventh District. Catherine Lang's record of leadership and advocacy for the State's small business community has improved the lives of many Nebraskans. Catherine earned both her bachelor of fine arts and juris doctor degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As a leader with a passion for fostering educational and economic opportunities for Nebraskans, she has worked hard to build a more robust environment for businesses and universities. She also plays an active role in several philanthropic and public organizations. Not only has she grown as a leader, the responsibilities entrusted to her have grown as well. Catherine has been crucial in guiding State agencies through periods of transition and expansion. Throughout her career, she has served Nebraska as the Department of Revenue's deputy tax administrator, the Nebraska property tax administrator, the commissioner of labor, and as the director of the Department of Economic Development. Catherine inherited a legacy of service from her parents, Hugh and Lillian Lang. Her father, Commander ``Chic'' Lang, served as a distinguished Navy pilot during World War II and later as an instructor at the U.S. Navy War College, and her mother enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Catherine's parents instilled in her a value she has instilled in her three sons: the importance of a college education as a door to opportunity. Because of this, the Lang family established a scholarship for students at the UNO College of Business for the purpose of cultivating opportunity and character. Currently, Catherine holds the position of State director of the Nebraska Business Development Center and assistant dean at the UNO College of Business. She leads statewide outreach for NBDC and builds collaborative efforts in the Nebraska University system to support the institution's mission of economic development. Thank you, Catherine, for dedicating your life to serving and inspiring others, and we thank you for strengthening relationships within our community. Honoring Timothy Kenny on his Retirement

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Timothy Kenny and his exceptional service as the executive director of the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, or NIFA. Timothy has been serving Nebraskans in this role since 1994. Before he joined NIFA, he served as director of programs for the Utah Housing Finance Agency and as executive director of the Texas Housing Finance Agency. NIFA administers programs to help Nebraskans finance affordable housing, medical facilities, community infrastructure, and industrial development projects. They also serve first-time farmers and ranchers by providing affordable financing strategies across the Great Plains. In the 36 years of its existence, NIFA has worked diligently to finance over 91,000 mortgages for affordable single-family homes. Additionally, over 23,600 affordable rental housing units for Nebraskans living on a budget have been created. Under Tim's leadership, NIFA has taken care of our Armed Forces by providing over $96.1 million in home buyer's assistance. Previously, Timothy served as a certified public accountant for a private tax and audit practice in Dallas, Texas, and then worked his way up to chief financial officer for homebuilding and real estate firms in Texas and Colorado. He now resides in Cass County, Nebraska, with his wife, Sara, three children, and numerous grandchildren. On top of his commendable public service, Timothy has supported his children and country through more than 20 deployments in the United States Armed Forces. Timothy continues to be active in Nebraska by serving on the National Council of State Housing Agencies, the National Association of Home Builders, the Nebraska Subprime Advisory Task Force, and the Governor's Disaster Recovery Task Force. He exemplifies what it means to be a Nebraskan through his hard work, service to others, and compassion for those in need. I congratulate Timothy on a notable career of public service and a retirement that is well deserved.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the memory of Lieutenant Samuel J. Harris, who was born Christmas Eve, 1896 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania to a veteran of the US Civil War. When Samuel J. Harris was first called away to service, he was enrolled at Dickenson College. In 1916, he served as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard on the U.S. Army's Pancho Villa Expedition in Mexico. Shortly after Harris returned home in 1917, the United States entered the First World War. Harris then enlisted as a private, this time in the 112th Infantry Regiment. Already a sergeant during training, Harris was selected for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, his unit becoming part of the 28th Infantry Division. Serving in France, the regiment saw combat during the crucial Second Battle of the Marine and fought with great distinction throughout the war. Unlike his fellow veterans who returned to civilian life after the end of the first World War, Harris returned to Europe. In 1918 the new Lithuanian Republic had to defend itself against a collection of the czarist, Bolshevik, German and Polish forces all trying to suppress the new nation. The many Lithuanian-American organizations of the era began to raise funds to send recently returned veterans to defend the newly liberated nation. Some 10,000 U.S. veterans eventually went to aid their ancestral homeland. Despite not being of Lithuanian ancestry, but perhaps inspired by President Wilson's bold view of freedom and self-determination for the nations, Harris again volunteered. In 1919 as part of the Lithuanian American Brigade, First Lieutenant Samuel J. Harris left home for the final time to assist Lithuania to defend her newly declared independence. The first officer of his unit to arrive in Lithuania, Harris was active by the late autumn of 1919 and had led the attack against the Bermanite's Iron Division during its retreat from the Baltic Republics. His death occurred on February 24, 1920 during a Communist-instigated mutiny of young officers in Kaunas. The only member of his Brigade to lose his life in the attack, Lieutenant Harris was initially laid to rest in the nearby Kaunas Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery during a funeral with full Lithuanian military honors. He was posthumously awarded the Cross of Vytis, the Lithuanian nation's highest decoration for bravery. In 1923, a street in the Aleksotas District of Kaunas was named after Lieutenant Harris. The street name was changed in 1946 by Soviet authorities but was reinstated in 1993. Lieutenant Harris's body was later transported to the United States and reburied at Arlington National Cemetery. The verse on the marble monument over his grave bears a Vytis over the inscription: ``Erected by the Lithuanians and sons and daughters of Lithuanians in America and dedicated in loving memory of Lieutenant Samuel J. Harris who died fighting for the freedom of Lithuania.'' Let us never forget individuals like Lieutenant Harris who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that the light of liberty throughout the world continues to shine brightly.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 35, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, we will be voting on later this afternoon. I am pleased to see the House take steps in finally addressing this issue. Like many, despite our Nation's ugly history of lynchings, I was shocked to learn that there was no law making lynching a Federal hate crime. My home in Omaha area is not unlike many other towns across the country with a gruesome past of lynching. George Smith was murdered in October 1891, and this past fall marked the 100th anniversary of the murder of Will Brown on the steps of the Douglas County Courthouse during the Red Summer. The hands of lawless and angry mobs in Omaha beat and lynched these men in what can only be characterized as racial terrorism. We cannot simply wash away the past, but in order for our Nation to heal from past racial injustice, Congress must specify criminal penalties for the crime of lynching or conspiracy to commit lynching. With at least 5,000 lynchings in our Nation's history, this bill is important as an acknowledgement that this evil did occur, that millions felt fear in their homes and communities, that many feared for their lives, the lives of their dads and their sons, and that this formal acknowledgement will help facilitate reconciliation. Last year, I was approached by local African American community leaders to look into antilynching legislation. I felt that the language from Senator Harris' bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate was the right one to support here in the House. This is how we are going to pass a bill and get it signed by the President of the United States. It is because of these reasons that I was honored to introduce the Senate-passed language in the House. The bill we are voting on today contains the language of my bill that I introduced 8 months ago verbatim. I do not complain because in the end, I want results. We want results. We are closer than we have ever been in making lynching a Federal crime. The action is long overdue, going back 200 attempts since 1918, and today we are going to make history once and for all on this issue. It has been my privilege to be an advocate on this issue. I applaud Senator Harris and Congressman Rush who have championed this bill for years. We will finally get this bill to the President's desk to be signed into law in order to close one of the ugliest chapters in America's history once and for all.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank Chairman Rush for his leadership, his heart for this bill, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member for giving me a chance to speak and for their comments. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 35, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act. I am pleased to see the House take steps in finally addressing this issue. Like many, despite our Nation's ugly history of lynchings, I was shocked to learn that there was no law making lynching a Federal crime. My hometown area of Omaha is not unlike many other towns across the country with a gruesome past of lynching. George Smith was murdered in October 1891, and this past fall marked the 100th anniversary of the murder of Will Brown on the steps of the Douglas County Courthouse during the Red Summer. The hands of lawless and angry mobs in Omaha beat and lynched these men in what only can be characterized as racial terrorism. We cannot simply wash away the past, but in order for our Nation to heal from past racial injustice, Congress must specify criminal penalties for the crime of lynching or any attempt or conspiracy to commit lynching. With at least 5,000 lynchings in our Nation's history, this bill is important to the acknowledgment that evil did occur, that millions felt fear in their houses, their homes, and their communities, that many feared for the lives of their dads, their husbands, and sons, and that this formal acknowledgment will help facilitate reconciliation. Last year, I was approached by local African American community leaders from Omaha to look into the antilynching legislation, and I felt that the language from Senator Harris' bill that passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate was the right way to proceed. It is because of these reasons I was honored to introduce the Senate-passed language in the House 8 months ago. The bill we are voting on today contains the language of my bill that I introduced 8 months ago verbatim, but I do not complain because in the end I want results. We want results. We are closer than we have ever been to making lynching a Federal crime. This is an historical event. This action is long overdue, going back 200 attempts since 1918, and today we are going to get it done. We are going to make history. It has been my privilege to be an advocate on this issue. I applaud Senator Harris and Congressman Bobby Rush, who have been championing this for years. We will finally get this to the President's desk to be signed into law in order to close one of the ugliest chapters in our history once and for all.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I rise to recognize Littleton Alston for his lifetime contributions in the fine art of sculpting, both as a renowned artist and as a professor. Littleton was born in Petersburg, Virginia, and grew up in northeast Washington, D.C., where he had his first encounter with great art and public sculpture. He still vividly remembers looking from his home down East Capitol Street and seeing the Capitol dome. His mother, who was divorced and raising five children on her own, acknowledged and recognized a unique gift that Littleton seemed to possess: drawing. Her devotion and his talent helped him land an opportunity to attend the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., where he graduated from high school. Awarded a scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, he received his bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture and went on to earn his master of fine arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art's Rinehart Graduate School of Sculpture in Baltimore. There, he was the recipient of the school's top honor, the Rinehart Award. In 1989, he was accepted to the artist residency program at the Bemis Center of Contemporary Arts in Omaha. A year later, he joined the faculty of Omaha's Creighton University, where he has attained the rank of full professor of sculpture. For the past 30 years, he has consistently given back to the community. Littleton served on the Omaha Public Art Commission for 9 years, and he has volunteered often for local charities and community service groups. He is especially proud of his educational outreach, having often led classes and workshops at schools in low-income neighborhoods. In 2013, he was recognized by the city of Omaha for his artistic and civic contributions with a Community Excellence Award and by Governor Dave Heineman with the Community Development Excellence Award. Littleton says he chose the art of sculpting because he believes sculpture is the best vehicle through which he can best express the joys and sorrows of the human condition. He says that he has explored many mediums and conceptual approaches. As an artist, he tries to convey the beauty and power of the sculpted form. Littleton Alston has been commissioned to create a variety of sculptural projects, including monumental bronze figures such as: The Archangel Michael, Christ Among Children, Dr. Martin Luther King, Baseball Legend Bob Gibson, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and many others. His work has included international artist residencies. In 2019, Littleton was selected from applicants from across the country to create a larger-than-life-size bronze statue portraying Willa Cather, a sculpture that will be one of the two statues representing the great State of Nebraska in the U.S. Capitol. This achievement is a hallmark for our country and a homecoming for Littleton, who will become the first African American artist to create a work to be displayed in the Statuary Hall collection, a compelling achievement, 50 years in the making, for a young man who grew up in eyeshot of the Statue of Freedom. This wonderful addition to these hallowed Halls will be dedicated to his late mother, Gilbertha Otelia Alston, a fitting tribute to the person who helped cultivate his great talent at an early age. We are proud that Littleton; his wife, Anne; and his children, Sarah, Taylor, and Daniel, call Omaha, Nebraska, home. I salute and thank Littleton for his impression upon the community, which will be felt for years to come.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues and friends from New Mexico and Texas for their leadership today and guidance to the floor. I rise in support of H.R. 504, the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act, which will improve the management, integration, transparency, and overall mission performance of the 79 State and local fusion centers across our country. Creating a robust and mature information-sharing relationship between the Department of Homeland Security and State and local law enforcement is vital for our Homeland Security. Since the September 11, 2001, attacks, State and local fusion centers have become key stakeholders in the homeland security of our country, and it is an important mission. Yet, despite their importance, the Government Accountability Office has observed that a lack of standardization in manpower, data systems, and training has hurt their effectiveness. H.R. 504 is focused on setting the conditions to better allow our fusion centers to accomplish the mission for which they were created and funded. My home State fusion center, the Nebraska Information Analysis Center, or NIAC, is the information exchange gateway for State, local, and Federal authorities serving all of the 93 counties in Nebraska. NIAC collects, analyzes, and shares information on crime and terrorism with Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement organizations and with other public and private entities as appropriate. Recently, the NIAC was called upon to collect and analyze reports of suspicious drone activity in western Nebraska, for example. Our Nation's fusion centers have a rapidly expanding range of missions that protect our citizens, and the Department of Homeland Security has a legal obligation to coordinate with and assist these State and local centers. So my legislation requires DHS to develop an engagement strategy to coordinate information sharing, technology, and personnel resources with these fusion centers. Additionally, this bill requires DHS to develop clear and robust performance metrics for Federal personnel assigned to these centers. This will help both the headquarters and fusion center directors improve the effectiveness, while ensuring oversight and accountability. In addition to personnel, DHS also provides fusion centers with access to classified and sensitive information. H.R. 504 calls for improvements in training and technology to support this vital information exchange, including the requirement that DHS share intelligence products with fusion centers when appropriate. Over the years, Congress has seen a vast improvement in DHS's support for these key stakeholders, including the NIAC. These improvements are vital to DHS sharing timely and relevant information with relevant stakeholders on the front lines of a constantly evolving threat landscape. This bill will help those on the front lines defend against those who threaten or attack our way of life. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers for bringing this bill to the floor. I also thank Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Peters in the Senate for moving this bill through the Senate. This is a commonsense measure, and with another strong showing of bipartisan support from the House. I look forward to the bill quickly becoming law. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 504.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world, to include many Americans: slavery and human trafficking. Despite major progress, many countries still struggle to define and understand human traffic operations and how to combat it. Most of us assume that human trafficking transports people only internationally. In reality, the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report showed that a majority of human trafficking survivors were identified in their countries of citizenship. While women and children may account for the majority of people trafficked, adolescent boys and men also have been victims of this modern-day slavery. Everyone is vulnerable to human trafficking, women, children, foster youth, Native Americans, immigrant children, those with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community. That is why the public must be educated on human trafficking and reject the misconception that it can't or won't happen to them or someone they know. While there is not an exact statistic on how many people are trafficked in the United States, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assessed as many as 24.9 million people--adults and children--are trapped in this human form of modern slavery around the world, including our own country. We may also assume trafficking occurs only in major cities like New York or Las Vegas, but it also happens in suburbs, rural areas, and on Tribal or farmland. In Nebraska, 900 individuals are being sold online for sex each month, and 75 percent of them are from just Omaha. I am grateful for the steps Nebraska has taken to combat trafficking and protect survivors, but legislation can do only so much. Organizations such as the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of State have worked hard to fight this global issue and have been trained to locate and deter human trafficking. I thank the Nebraska State Patrol, the sheriff departments, and local law enforcement for their diligent work in capturing traffickers and rescuing survivors. I thank the many nonprofit volunteer organizations that are dedicated to making a difference in combating this crime. In honor of the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Month this past January, we must commit to work together to address this heinous crime and ensure that all are safe from exploitation. Bringing Awareness to Importance of Mentoring

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Mentoring Month from this past January. As a member of the Youth Mentoring Caucus, I rise to bring awareness to the importance of supporting strategies and policies that enhance mentoring programs and increase the procurement of quality volunteer mentors. Research has shown that mentoring relationships have positive effects on people's lives in so many ways. Mentoring reassures our youth that they are not alone in dealing with everyday challenges; creates opportunity for personal growth and development; and provides youth, especially those in foster care, with vital relationships, networks, and counseling services needed to navigate life and successfully transition into adulthood. I know the power of mentorship firsthand. I joined the Air Force in 1985 after a faith-based mentor saw where my talents leaned, and I would never have been a five-time commander nor a general officer without thoughtful mentors. In my district, MENTOR Nebraska has partnered with 26 Omaha public schools to implement a mentoring program called Success Mentors, which serves over 600 youth. Within the last 2 years, the percentage of mentored youth in North Omaha increased by 150 percent. In the last 5 years, the percentage of mentored juvenile justice youth increased by 250 percent. In addition to a number of positive benefits associated with increased mentorship, this program has shown an improvement in school attendance--by over 50 percent in one school alone. Congress must partner and support State and local governments and nonprofits so they can continue to prioritize new ways and approaches for serving at-risk or disadvantaged youth and connect them with caring adults who will help them navigate life and be their support system. That is why I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 3061, the Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2019, which addresses the need for greater support of mentoring programs that serve youth in foster care by developing best practices and quality mentoring standards when searching for and hiring mentors. I thank our Nation's mentors, who are actively strengthening our communities and making a difference in the educational, personal, and professional lives of today's youth. Additionally, I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to commit to improving our youth's outcomes and futures by supporting legislation like H.R. 3061.

Mr. BACON

Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this amendment and to the disrespectful manner in which it was brought to the people's House. It is strategically reckless and naive, and both amendments politicize our most serious constitutional obligation and willfully bypass regular order just to score political points against our President. Like many of my colleagues and my fellow veterans in the House, I agree it is long past due to update the two Authorizations for Use of Military Force now in effect. We owe our citizens and servicemembers an honest debate on the use of military force. Madam Speaker, 18 years is too long for this AUMF. We are not living up to our constitutional duties. But let's be clear: This is not what this amendment does. Rather than confront reality that American security at home requires the principled use of force abroad, repealing the 2002 AUMF without a replacement will trigger our immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Our military leaders have been clear. Without the 2002 AUMF or a suitable replacement, they cannot continue their missions in Iraq and defend themselves against Iranian-backed militias, the same militias that killed another American last month and attacked us again just 3 days ago. Ask yourselves: Who benefits from this vote? It is Iran. Who loses from this vote? It is Iraq, the Kurds, and every U.S. partner in the Middle East. Our security will be compromised. To our Democratic colleagues, you may think this is a free vote, that the Senate may not support or a veto will give you cover, but you would be wrong. A vote to repeal the 2002 AUMF without a replacement will embolden Iran and ISIS and sends an unmistakable message to every U.S. partner around the world that Congress has lost its resolve and that partisanship trumps America's national security and reason. For the record, attaching these two provisions to a Congressional Gold Medal vote for the purpose of avoiding a motion to recommit is beneath the dignity of this Chamber and shameful by the majority, and it is disrespectful to the World War II veterans it recognizes. Madam Speaker, I oppose this feckless amendment.