Aaron Bean

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, my home State of Florida is still reeling from shock, horror, and sorrow. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, on a seemingly peaceful Saturday afternoon, the community of Jacksonville endured an evil attack. I am honored today to stand with the entire Florida delegation who stands as one against this evil. On August 26 in Jacksonville, Florida, three innocent people lost their lives to an act of hatred at a Dollar General store: Angela Michelle Carr, 52 years old; Jerrald De'Shaun Gallion, 29 years old; Anolt Joseph ``A.J.'' Laguerre, Jr., 19 years old. Angela was a beloved mother and Uber driver, Jerrald was the proud father of a 4-year-old little girl, and A.J. was a recent high school graduate. He had just started working at the Dollar General to earn some extra money. They each had individual passions and dreams for the future. Each one had a spark that will continue to burn bright in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved them. Today, I, and the delegation, join all Floridians in grieving for the victims and praying for their loved ones. There are no words, Mr. Speaker, to describe our heartbreak but also the anger we feel over this racially motivated act of evil. Hate has no place, nor does it belong in America. Today, my Florida colleagues and I stand in solidarity with the Jacksonville community. May their memories be a blessing. May God bless and comfort the families. I now ask, Mr. Speaker, that my colleagues in the House join us all for a moment of silence to remember these three individuals.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the new rankings are out, and Florida is number one. It is not football, although I would understand one making that assumption. Florida is number one for small business. According to a recent Venture Smarter's study that considered numerous factors like business climate, tax structure, and burdensome business regulations, Florida has just been ranked the number one State in America. Today, I rise to congratulate my home State, the free State of Florida, on this outstanding accomplishment. In the Sunshine State, we support small businesses to do what they do best: invest, hire, and grow. When we shop small, we all win big. Spending your money at that local small business can make a big difference. Today, 2.8 million businessowners and entrepreneurs call Florida home, but, Mr. Speaker, there is room for one more. Mr. Speaker, if you are considering coming to Florida to open a business, then I urge you to make a plan. Frankly, you should have a plan of what to do with all that extra money you will have in your pocket because Florida has no income tax. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I am working to ensure every small business has the opportunity to thrive and fuel our economy in communities all across America. Honoring Nathalie Wu

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Small Business Committee, I rise today to honor Florida's Main Street Award for Business Owner of the Year, Nathalie Wu. Ms. Wu is a resident of Nassau County, and I am proud to represent her in Florida's Fourth Congressional District. Nathalie opened the wonderful Wicked Bao Restaurant 5 years ago. For the first time, amazing Asian street food was available to patrons of downtown Fernandina Beach's historic district. Delectable and scrumptious are words we use to describe our food, but what about innovative? Who knew that tater tots made with rice instead of potatoes--rice tots--could be so delicious? That would be Ms. Wu. With her establishment, she has inspired what was once an overlooked area off the beaten path into a popular destination. In addition to serving up delicious treats, Ms. Wu is a steadfast advocate for local small businesses. She is a Fernandina Beach Main Street No Cost Ways to Promote Your Business panelist and a prominent supporter of the Fernandina Beach window painting event, inspiring local high school artists to showcase their work. She is also an awesome mother to her two sons, Phillip and Martin Toxldorf. Ms. Wu's dedication to her business and our community will have a lasting impact on Fernandina Beach. My colleagues and I on the Small Business Committee are inspired by her story. Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues in Congress join me in honoring Florida Secretary of State's Florida Main Street Award for Business Owner of the Year, Ms. Nathalie Wu.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Foxx for yielding. Mr. Speaker, what do parents worry about? According to a National PTA survey, American parents worry most about their child being bullied, and they worry about their child struggling socially and emotionally. What is not on the list? Their school being taken over by illegal immigrants. You would think American parents wouldn't have to worry about that, but yet here we are, because this is crazy town, and here in crazy town, the Biden administration is fixated on transforming America's public schools, our institutions for learning, into shelters for illegal immigrants. It is happening now, and we are already seeing elementary and secondary school facilities in cities like New York being converted into housing for immigrants who have illegally crossed our border. Let me be clear. This type of activity emphasizes the notion that an open border is the new normal. This is an attack on law and order and on American families who pay taxes into these schools so their children can get a good educational foundation. Housing illegal immigrants in school facilities creates a host of issues, including safety hazards, security threats, health risks for our children, and let's not forget, America's students are facing severe learning loss because of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe our schools are for educating students, not for supporting unhinged policies. I believe teachers should be our educators, not ICE agents. I believe school gyms and rec spaces should be for physical education and not for motel rooms. House Republicans are calling President Biden into the principal's office. We refuse to let this happen, and that is why we are tackling this issue head-on with H.R. 3941, the Schools Not Shelters Act. It says no to this dangerous initiative that threatens our children and distracts our schools from their core mission--to educate America's kids.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, how would you explain to General George S. Patton that an American President believes a drag show digital ambassador gives our military a strategic advantage? It sounds absurd, but what is even more absurd is it is true. The United States military is the greatest fighting force in the world. America's warfighters risk their lives so we can all be free. They are driven by patriotism and a sense of service and honor. Yet, since the outset of this administration, we have seen our servicemen and -women, the source of our strength and national security, sacrificed on the altar of wokeness. Meanwhile, our adversaries are aggressively undermining American interests around the globe as danger knocks on our front door. As we speak, Mr. Speaker, China is creating an outpost just over 90 miles from the Florida coast. It is all part of China's long game. It is why they have been stealing our stuff, intellectual property from Americans, buying farmland near our military bases, invading our airspace with a spy balloon, and infiltrating our education system. While this administration has been obsessed with culture wars, China has been focused on defeating America. While West Point was teaching cadets about preferred pronouns, China has been focused on defeating America. While this administration was funneling taxpayer dollars to host drag queen story hours on military bases, China has been focused on defeating America. Our military exists to provide for the common defense of our Nation, not parroting woke insanity. These far-left policies, Mr. Speaker, have harmed recruitment, retention, and morale. It has undermined our military readiness and wasted precious time and taxpayer dollars, but House Republicans have a plan to chart a new and different course. The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act puts an end to taxpayer dollars funding critical race theory teaching, guts diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and eliminates taxpayer-funded drag shows, story hours, and digital ambassador programs. It prevents the authorization of a military Green New Deal. Under the leadership of Speaker McCarthy, House Republicans are focused on honoring the legacy of our Nation's veterans, like the 72,000 who call the Fourth District of Florida home, and ensuring our military is lethal and ready because woke politics won't stop a single bullet or a communist invasion. We, the people, deserve a military that doesn't cater to any other credo other than America first.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, you get $3,527. You get $3,527. You get $3,527. Mr. Speaker, whether you like it or not, you have just acquired $3,527 in new student loan debt. That is right. Thanks to this crazy student loan bailout, every man, woman, and child in America will owe $3,527 to foot the bill for someone else's debt. Mr. Speaker, aren't we already in a debt crisis? Yes, we are. We already have a whopping $32 trillion in debt. We are struggling right now to come to an agreement on how we are going to pay our bills. This administration's student loan bailout will just throw gasoline on the inflation fire, making it even harder for our families to put food on the table. It is the last thing our economy needs. Mr. Speaker, is this fair? Of course it is not fair. This bailout sounds like a Houdini-type escape from the responsibility of student loan debt. Instead, 87 percent of Americans without student loan debt will end up paying for the 13 percent of Americans who do. How do you tell someone who has worked their way through college or joined the military to get through school, like my son, that they will now be saddled with paying off a Harvard graduate's underwater fire safety degree? This whacky student loan bailout is unfair to taxpayers and unfair to future generations of students. Mr. Speaker, the whole plan is nuts. There is only one correct answer, and that is to vote ``yes'' on this Congressional Review Act. Mr. Speaker, let's bring sense and sensibility to America's education system while protecting the interests of taxpayers.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Madam Speaker, as the song goes: If there is something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? If something is weird and it don't look good, who you gonna call? Madam Speaker, don't call Ghostbusters, call the police. During National Police Week, we recognize it takes strength and courage to wear a badge and answer the call. It takes commitment to respond to an emergency, to run toward gunfire rather than away from it. For law enforcement, that is just part of the job. While crazy town continues to demonize law enforcement, we the people know they are not the enemy; they are heroes. Madam Speaker, on behalf of our country, I say two words to these brave patriots, words they don't hear enough: Thank you. I thank them for protecting our communities. I thank them for protecting our families. To everyone who wears a badge and enforces our laws, I and America will always back the blue.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, you know every birthday with a zero in it is special, but what about a birthday with double zeros? That makes it double special. Such is the case for the 100th anniversary of the Theodore H. Hernandez American Legion Auxiliary Unit 54 in my hometown of Fernandina Beach, Florida. This auxiliary holds a special place in my heart, as my mother was a member for many, many years. The auxiliary has supported and continues to support community organizations on the first coast such as the Nassau County Council on Aging, and Adopt-a-Soldier, and so many others. On May 29, 2023, members will celebrate 100 years of serving our veterans, military, and their families in northeast Florida. Hopefully, Mr. Speaker, they will celebrate with a very big cake. I congratulate the Theodore H. Hernandez American Legion Auxiliary Unit Number 54 on 100 years of amazing service, and I can't wait to see what they do with the next 100.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the secret is out. People have discovered the beauty of Amelia Island and Nassau County. I rise today to recognize National Travel and Tourism Week in my neck of the woods, in Nassau County, Florida. I want to congratulate and celebrate everyone who is in the tourism industry. Seventy percent of Nassau County's economy comes from visitors. Some say they come for the great beaches, parks, or golf, but the real secret sauce is the warm southern hospitality. Tourism is the largest creator of jobs and tax dollars in Nassau County. This week is a chance to celebrate our tourism community and highlight the people who work in this important sector. Through their customer service and positive interactions with visitors, they are helping promote Amelia Island and Nassau County not only as a top 10 island destination but as a beloved destination for travelers to make memories. Today, it is fitting that on its 40th anniversary, we recognize May 7 through May 13, 2023, as National Travel and Tourism Week in Nassau County, Florida. Recognizing the 170th Anniversary of the Duval County Medical Society

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 170th anniversary of the Duval County Medical Society, a remarkable organization that has greatly improved the medical community and health of northeast Florida. In the 1800s, Jacksonville was suffering from a series of outbreaks of smallpox, dengue fever, and malaria. Struggling to come up with a solution and with no public health system in the State, a group of eight local physicians decided to come together and do something about it. On May 25, 1853, they chartered the Duval County Medical Society, the first medical society in the State of Florida, to bring physicians together to solve the public health crisis. Today, the Duval County Medical Society's more than 1,800 members guided by Dr. Steven Kailes, continues to lead and research data to promote quality health outcomes throughout Duval County, the State of Florida, and the Nation. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and privilege to celebrate the voice of organized medicine, the Duval County Medical Society, on their 170 years of exceptional service.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chair Foxx for yielding time. Mr. Chairman, should the Jacksonville Jaguars play against a peewee football team? That would be ridiculous. Should the minor league Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp play against a Little League team? That would be crazy. Should men compete against women in sports? Of course not. In each example, it is just not fair. The truth is, males have a lasting and lifelong athletic advantage-- most notably, 36 percent more muscle mass, which allows for greater speed and force that cannot be erased with pharmaceuticals or hormone treatments. Sadly, every time a male takes a lane in the pool, a spot on the field, or at the starting line, a female athlete loses the opportunity to compete. Every time a male athlete is named a female All-American, a female athlete loses that honor. We are in a battle for the very survival of women's sports. America, we hear you. Not everybody has gone off the deep end. Today, House Republicans will pass H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, to ban men from competing in women's sports.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand before you and lead this Special Order tonight. I have a message. That message is our Nation's higher education system is being purchased and manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party. America needs a wake-up call. I thought that wake-up call would come in the form of a Chinese spy balloon. If it was the Chinese spy balloon sent to wake us up, it seems that America has hit the snooze button. A few weeks ago, several members of the Education and the Workforce Committee were briefed on the scheme, the manipulation of the Chinese Communist Party on higher education in the USA, and we were all shocked. It was a shocking report, and we wanted to share the truth of how China is infiltrating and taking control over higher education in the United States. Since 2013, $12 billion has poured into our higher education system from foreign sources. China is by far the largest of foreign donations since that time. Between 2013 and 2020, U.S. universities accepted nearly a billion dollars from Chinese donations. The tuition paid by Chinese students is estimated to be over $12 billion per year. It is time we look at this influence and take it seriously. It started over 20 years ago, Mr. Speaker, that China has been playing this game of infiltration, manipulation, and trying to purchase influence. It started with this game they play that they call the Confucius Institutes. These centers teach Chinese languages and culture but avoid discussing China's widespread human rights abuses and present Taiwan as undisputed Chinese territory. They are simply a propaganda machine funded and directed by the Chinese Government, and we haven't even gotten started on what they are stealing from us, Mr. Speaker. Tonight, members of the Education and the Workforce Committee and other invited Members are going to tell the story of just how far China has been infiltrating our university system. You are going to hear how top colleges and universities have not fully reported donations from foreign sources, including that of the Chinese Government. You are going to hear the administration is not enforcing existing laws requiring full reporting of these foreign sources. Universities, in their desire to seek donations from the public, sometimes unexpectedly or overtly take money from foreign sources and, in this case, many times from the Chinese Government. You are going to hear also how the United States is losing the technology edge that we have long enjoyed for many years in computing, science, and engineering, all kinds of energy sources where we were the dominant player, but now because of theft and China's influence in our university system, those edges in technology are now leaning China's way. You are going to hear about that. So, Mr. Speaker, as we begin tonight, I just want to say that it is long overdue that we hear the truth and we are fully aware how bad China is. I would first yield a few minutes to the chair of Education and the Workforce Committee, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Mr. BEAN

Mr. BEAN. Dr. Foxx, thank you so much. You are doing such a great job as chairman of Education and the Workforce. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on that committee. Thank you for highlighting the decades-long campaign that has manifested into bigger problems for America by the Chinese Communist Party. America's education system is being purchased and manipulated by China. Since 2013, $12 billion has flooded in from foreign sources to U.S. colleges and universities, including more than a billion from communist China. Rather than forcing colleges and universities to comply with reporting requirements under section 117 of the Higher Education Act, this administration is playing into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party by refusing to pursue enforcement. For the past 2 years, Mr. Speaker, this administration has been trying to distract the American people of the very real threat China poses with its far-left policies. That ends tonight. Up next to help spread the word of exactly how bad an actor China is, is my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California. He is the chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 8 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley).

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley). Mr. Speaker, for those just tuning in, China is manipulating and trying to peddle influence among our higher universities, and Members are standing up and saying enough. A few weeks ago, and to great amazement, we saw this Chinese spy balloon that cruised over our most sensitive sites in our country. We were told we were blocking it from transmitting any data at the time, but now we have found that that spy balloon was transmitting pictures and information of our most sensitive military and nuclear sites in real time. Who knows? I don't know if we will ever find out the true damage of that espionage break. Why on earth it wasn't shot down, I don't know. But what about the things we can't see? We can't see what China is doing to buy influence and to infiltrate our university systems. Mr. Speaker, somebody that is going to tell us his angle on it is a gentleman who was part of a delegation that just last week went to Taiwan, went on an Asia tour to meet with leaders about just exactly what is going on over there. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's higher education system is being purchased and manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party. You have heard about it and we keep hearing about it. China can't keep up with our Nation's unrelenting free market system that is constantly innovating, so the only way they see to catch up with us is to cheat and steal our intellectual property and infiltrate our university systems and steal our discoveries. It has got to end. Let's hear more about what China is doing to manipulate our university systems. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), the distinguished chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's higher education system is being purchased and manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party. You have heard from various Members giving you details of how it is done, but we need somebody who can give us the big picture. We need somebody who can give us big ideas. We need somebody who can give us big solutions. There is only one guy that can do that, Mr. Speaker. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs).

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's higher education system is being purchased and manipulated by the Chinese Communist Party. Tonight, you have heard from various members of a fantastic committee and other Members, led by Dr. Virginia Foxx, shining the light on just how bad it is, just how blind an eye that we have turned to it for the last 20 years. We now realize through donations and purchases and influence in sending their kids here to school, as well as something called the Confucius Institutes, that it is all for the propaganda and a way for China to infiltrate and manipulate our higher education system. Mr. Speaker, where do we go from here? We have work to do, including alerting America, which is what we are doing tonight, but also alerting our higher ed, our leadership in our universities and colleges, to let them be wary of any foreign donation coming into their institutions, particularly anything coming from China should be a red flag. The Department of Education should immediately enforce existing laws. Should we make a new law? How about enforcing the laws that are already on the books requiring these institutions, some of the biggest names in higher ed, to report foreign gifts and grants? The Biden administration should ban Confucius Institutes and all collaborations between U.S. institutions and Chinese entities affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of State Security immediately. Congress should also consider withholding State and Federal funds from colleges and universities that resist efforts to eliminate CCP influence operations. Lastly, the State Department--Mr. Biggs said it so well. The State Department must review applications from adversarial countries, including the CCP, the background and research plan of every applicant for a student visa. We need to say no. We need to say no to the CCP coming in, getting our information, and then going back home. We have lots to do, but it starts with alerting the American people. We have done that tonight. The rest of the work is up to this Congress. It is up to the administration to enforce our laws and to hold these universities and China accountable for exactly what they are doing, which is manipulating and using undue influence in our higher education system. It stops now and going forward. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and memory of Commissioner Dale Dees from my hometown of Fernandina Beach, Florida. Mr. Dees reminds me of an Alan Jackson country song, ``Small Town Southern Man.'' He was always proud of what he had, and he was raised on the ways of gentle kindness. Mr. Dees was a lifelong resident of Fernandina Beach. He came from humble beginnings, and yet he was a man of great influence. His sincerity made everyone feel special. As a young man, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving Uncle Sam. Once he completed his tour of duty, he devoted himself to his family's dry cleaner business and revolutionized dry cleaning in Fernandina Beach by opening a drive-through option. Eventually, he would open the town's first gun shop. He was a self-made businessman, and he understood the value of hard work. His pride and joy was his family. Sharon was his beloved wife of 62 years and was his soulmate. Together they were blessed with two children, Mike and Michelle; son-in-law Shawn; two grandchildren, and great-grandson Kamden. Dale exemplified the meaning of leadership, and he saw public service as a duty. He served two terms as commissioner for Fernandina Beach and strived to make a difference in the lives of everyone in the city. Fernandina Beach has lost a pillar of its community. Dale will be dearly missed, and our condolences are with his family. He truly was a small town Southern man.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Chair, the question is: Is America's economy on the right track? Eighty percent of Americans believe we are headed in the wrong direction. In just 2 years, we have gone from being the world's leading energy exporter to a dependent energy importer. Since January 2021, electricity is up 24 percent and gasoline is up 51 percent. Mr. Chair, it doesn't have to be this way. The United States has the resources, the know-how, and expertise to be, once again, an energy independent nation and an exporter of energy. American energy is not the enemy; it is the solution. H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, is how we get America back on track. For too long, Mr. Chair, we have handcuffed ourselves when it comes to our oil and natural gas potential. I stand before you committed to unleash America's energy independence but also to unleash America's energy dominance. Mr. Chair, a ``yes'' vote for H.R. 1 does just that.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Chair, should parents have the right to be involved in their child's education? That is the question before us. Seventy-two percent of Americans have answered ``yes'' to that question. Parents should be and want to be involved in their child's education. According to numerous studies, students who have involved parents have better behavior, better grades, better attendance, and develop a lifelong love of learning, which is the key to long-term success. Today, American parents are fed up, largely because they have experienced 2 years of school closures, misguided COVID policies, disastrous remote learning, and a curriculum focused on what is woke rather than what is essential academic instruction. They have been branded ``domestic terrorists'' for speaking out at school boards. Some were even arrested for having the nerve to plead with school boards about the safety of their child at school. Mr. Chair, it is time to re-welcome parents back into education. It is time for parents to have the right to know what is going on in American education today. That is why I--and I encourage everybody--to support H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, critical legislation that empowers parents and prioritizes the needs of students over entrenched special interest groups. Today, this body has an extraordinary opportunity to reclaim the moral high ground in America and usher in a newer era of K-12 education that empowers parents, protects kids, and expands educational freedom. American parents have said they want to be a part of their children's education. It is time for this body to say ``yes'' and support parents.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate James Paul Loos III for his retirement from a lifetime of public service. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Loos has dedicated his life to serving the great state of Florida and the United States of America. At the age of 20, he joined the Florida Air National Guard and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. However, this was just the beginning of his four decades of public service. Throughout the last 40 years, Mr. Loos has served in the Florida Air National Guard, Clay County Sheriffs Office, Naval Support Activity, Department of Navy Police, and the Nassau County Sheriffs Office, where he spent 20 of those years. At every step of his career, Mr. Loos continually received outstanding praise from his superior officers. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper described Mr. Loos as having a heart for helping others, and he expressed gratitude for his tireless advocacy in keeping citizens safe. Mr. Loos's commitment to serving his community, state, and country should be celebrated, and I am inspired by the example he is setting for the next generation of Americans. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating a much- deserved retirement for James Paul Loos III, a true servant and patriot.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, I had the chance to visit the southern border for the very first time. It was truly educational. I thank the people of southeast Texas who showed me the true impact of what it means to have an open border. President Biden and his administration officials continue to tell the American people that the border is secure. Tell that to the families of two Americans who were killed this week by a Mexican cartel. Tell that to the record number of parents who have lost kids to fentanyl that was brought over the border. Tell that to the countless public officials we met on that trip who were pleading with us to say that they are just overloaded. Their facilities are overcapacity, and they need help. Mr. Speaker, I have been to the border, and tonight I am here to tell you that it is not secure. Mr. Speaker, you know that it is not just a Texas problem; it is America's problem. We need to secure the border. Our national security depends on it.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, he is at it again. President Biden's war on America's energy continues. It started on day one with the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline, and 2 years later, this administration is pushing environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, to clog America's oil and gas production. The Department of Labor is seeking to weaponize American retirement funds as part of President Biden's anti-fossil fuel agenda, all at the expense of your retirement savings. ESG requirements not only exacerbate high energy costs but also contribute to inflationary woes and weaken our national security. To be clear, ESG is more government control. ESG is less freedom for Americans. ESG simply is a woke capitalist scam posing as responsible corporate governance, which robs Americans of their hard-earned retirement investments. It is time to stand against the progressive mob, which only wants an inch but seems to take a mile. Today, we are going to say no. We are going to draw the line and say it ends now. It is time to stand against the progressive mob and safeguard our Nation's energy independence from the outstretched claws of ESG. A correct vote on the bill today is ``yes,'' as a ``yes'' vote today says no to ESG.

Mr. BEAN of Florida

Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, I rise today to honor the 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year, Melissa Anne Matz. A resident of Clay County and constituent of Florida's 4th Congressional District, Melissa was chosen from almost 185,000 public schoolteachers throughout the great State of Florida. In addition to teaching seventh grade math at Lakeside Junior High School, Ms. Matz has served as the head of the entire math department since 2015. Additionally, she has gone above and beyond while serving as the chairperson for Lakeside's School Advisory Committee and a leadership team member. Ms. Matz now serves as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, where she helps to raise public awareness for the outstanding teachers in Florida. As the 2023 Teacher of the Year, she will receive an award from the Florida Department of Education, a tuition waiver to pursue a graduate degree, and a two-year Florida College scholarship to present to a student of her choice. Ms. Matz's commitment to her students, the community, and the State of Florida will have a lasting impact on a future generation of leaders ready to take on the world's challenges. My colleagues and I on the Committee on Education and Workforce are inspired by the work of this exceptional educator. Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues in Congress join me in honoring the 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year, Ms. Melissa Anne Matz.