Michael Cloud

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Ganado High School Indians' football team on their incredible victory in the 2024 Texas Class 2A, Division 1 championship. With a 30-28 win that happened in triple overtime, the Indians capped off a remarkable 15-1 season. Under the guidance of Head Coach Josh Ervin, the team showed unparalleled resilience and unity. From the first snap of the season to the thrilling final play, they demonstrated the power of teamwork and perseverance. This championship is not just a testament to their athletic talent but to the unwavering support of the Ganado community. It is a moment that will inspire future generations to strive for excellence, both on and off the field. I congratulate the Ganado Indians on this well-deserved championship, and may God continue to bless the players, coaches, families, and the entire community. God bless them.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Henry C. Garrett, Jr., a devoted Chief of Police, Mayor, husband, and father who passed away on December 8, 2024, at the age of 84. Mayor Garrett dedicated over 30 years to the Corpus Christi Police Department, rising from patrolman in 1963 to Chief of Police in 1989, earning the title ``The People's Chief.'' After retiring in 1996, he continued serving his community as a three-term City Council Member and later as Mayor for two terms, from 2005 to 2009. Above all, Mayor Garrett was a loving husband, father, and leader whose life exemplified service and a deep commitment to his community. His contributions have left a lasting impact on Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Speaker, so many of America's public servants today--especially our police officers--have a tremendous responsibility of serving our constituents and to do so with grace and integrity. All who knew Henry Garrett would tell you: he exemplified what it meant to be a public servant. His was a life well lived. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mayor Garrett's family and all who were blessed to know him. May God bless and comfort them during this time.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 10065 to name a post office in Corpus Christi in memory of Captain Robert ``Bob'' Batterson. Captain Batterson's life is a life of service and a testament to the very best of American character. In 1939, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, setting sail on his life's journey of dedicated and devoted service to our Nation. In 1941, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor and survived the attack that thrust America into World War II. That same resilience carried him to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, where he earned his wings in 1944 and flew F6F Hellcats in defense of our Nation. Captain Batterson's service continued long after World War II as he transitioned to the Navy Supply Corps, serving faithfully until his retirement in 1974. Over the course of his 35-year military career, he exemplified duty and honor, but Captain Batterson didn't stop serving when he took off the uniform. For 26 years, he volunteered at the USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, where he could often be found at the Pearl Harbor exhibit, sharing his firsthand accounts of the attack on Pearl Harbor and other personal stories of valor from the war with visitors from around the world. His personal stories preserved a living history, ensuring future generations understood the sacrifices made for freedom. Captain Batterson passed away last year at the age of 102 years young, leaving behind his wife, Hilda, and an indelible legacy of service and patriotism. His dedication to his community and his country will not be forgotten. In naming this post office in his honor, we commemorate a life of extraordinary service to our country and the Corpus Christi community. Captain Batterson's name will continue to inspire all who pass through its door, reminding us of the courage and sacrifice that define our Greatest Generation and should continue to inspire our current and future generations. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to honor a true American hero. May God bless Captain Batterson's memory, his family, the city of Corpus Christi, and our beloved Nation. Mr. Speaker, as someone who had the opportunity to know him personally, there is no one who could be more worthy of this honor.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Judge Richard Meyer of Calhoun County, who passed away on November 18, 2024, at the age of 74. A man of integrity, Judge Meyer's impact on his family, community, and South Texas is a testament to a life well-lived. Judge Meyer was a proud third-generation Calhoun County resident. His early years were spent exploring the natural beauty of Lavaca Bay alongside his father, instilling in him a deep appreciation for the land and its people. A dedicated farmer and rancher, Judge Meyer was widely recognized for his success, earning accolades from the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce in 1988 and being named Calhoun County's Man of the Year in 2015. Yet it was his sense of duty and desire to serve his neighbors that led him to public office. In January 2019, Judge Meyer began his tenure as County Judge, bringing the same tenacity and work ethic to governance that had defined his earlier endeavors. As a champion for economic development, he worked tirelessly to ensure that Calhoun County remained a vibrant and prosperous community. His passion for building connections and supporting growth reflected his commitment to serving others. Despite his many accomplishments, Judge Meyer's greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband to Jackie, his wife of 49 years, a loving father to their two children, Ty and Leslie, and a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren. His family was the heart of his life, and his love for them was evident to all who knew him. Judge Meyer was a man of compassion, generosity, and faith. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched and the enduring contributions he made to his community. As we remember him, let us be inspired by his dedication, humility, and unwavering service to others. May God bless the Meyer family and bring them comfort during this time.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the vital work of Starlink in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. With one of its key facilities in Bastrop, Texas, located in the 27th District, Starlink has made a significant impact by providing internet access to areas where traditional communication infrastructure has been severely damaged or destroyed completely. Our South Texas community is honored to play a small role in driving technological innovation that is directly benefiting Americans in times of crisis. In response to the devastation, Starlink quickly deployed over 20,000 of its satellite kits--many of which were made in Bastrop--reconnecting families and facilitating emergency services in some of the hardest-hit areas. Starlink has extended free satellite internet service through the end of the year, ensuring that Americans maintain access to essential communications as they rebuild and support relief efforts. In addition, this initiative exemplifies the strength of the free market in delivering rapid, lifesaving solutions. The ability of private-sector companies like SpaceX to innovate and respond to crises faster than traditional channels is a testament to the importance of entrepreneurial spirit in serving the public good. I would also like to personally thank Elon Musk for his leadership and commitment to providing this invaluable resource to disaster-stricken communities. Mr. Speaker, may God bless the recovery efforts, the victims affected, and those tirelessly working to provide them with relief and support.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Calallen Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, as it celebrates 150 years of faithful service to its community. This incredible milestone stands as a testament to the church's enduring commitment to faith, fellowship, and ministry, pointing generations of men and women toward the love of Jesus Christ. Founded on July 4, 1874, Calallen Baptist Church was established by a group of eleven dedicated believers on a donated parcel of land in Nuecestown. From the very beginning, it became a pillar of the community--a place where neighbors gathered to hear the Gospel and encourage each other in the faith. For a century and a half, the church has faithfully served Corpus Christi, persevering through adversity and disaster. After the devastation caused by Hurricane Celia, which left countless homes destroyed and damaged the church itself, Calallen Baptist continued to hold weekly services and became a refuge for those displaced by the storm. This is just one example of the church's dedication to serving its community even in the most trying of times. Calallen Baptist Church stands out with their commitment to ministry through service to the community. Whether through outreach programs, compassionate ministries, or disaster relief, the church has actively sought to care for its neighbors and to be a testimony for the Lord's goodness in trial. In recent years, they have expanded their facilities and ministries to include fellowships, mission trips, and a grief recovery group--furthering their outreach to those in need of spiritual and emotional support. This anniversary is truly a testament to God's sustaining grace and mercy. Paul's letter to the Philippians made note of how the Lord ``shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus'' (Philippians 4:19). Through every trial victory in Christ, it is this principle that defines the story of Calallen Baptist. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Calallen Baptist Church on 150 years of remarkable ministry and service. May God continue to bless and sustain them as they press forward in His work, sharing the Good News of Jesus and serving the community for many years to come.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Honorable Geanie W. Morrison, whose extraordinary 26-year career of public service to the Crossroads region and the state of Texas is coming to a close. Throughout her 13-term career in the Texas Legislature, Representative Morrison has exemplified dedication, leadership, and a tireless commitment to improving the lives of all Texans. Since her election in 1999, Representative Morrison has represented Texas' 30th District in the Texas House of Representatives which today includes DeWitt, Goliad, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Victoria counties. Over the course of her tenure, she has become a trusted leader in the Capitol and a steadfast advocate for her constituents. Representative Morrison's legislative record is filled with notable achievements, but one of her most profound and life-saving contributions is her authorship of the country's first Safe Haven ``Baby Moses'' law, passed in 1999. This legislation provides a compassionate and responsible alternative for desperate mothers who may otherwise feel they have no choice but to abandon their newborns. Through the Safe Haven law, mothers are given the option to safely and legally surrender their babies at designated locations, such as hospitals or fire stations, without fear of prosecution. This law has had an immeasurable impact on saving lives. Since its passage, hundreds of newborns across Texas have been safely surrendered, and all 50 states have since implemented similar measures. Thanks to Representative Morrison's initiative, countless lives have been saved and will continue to be. Her work in higher education has been impactful to Texas as well. As Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education, she played a pivotal role in the expansion of the University of Houston-Victoria into a four-year institution, significantly increasing access to higher education for students in the region. Her efforts have been recognized by many, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which awarded her the Leadership Star Award. She has also been named Legislator of the Year by the Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and honored with the Texas Community College Teachers Association Legislator of the Year Award. Beyond her legislative work, Representative Morrison has always been deeply committed to community service. Her 17-year involvement with the Junior League of Victoria allowed her to lead programs like ``Making the Grade'' and ``Great Expectations,'' where she worked with young people to inspire academic success and provide support for pregnant teens in completing their education. Her leadership in these initiatives has touched countless lives and opened doors of opportunity for those who need it most. Representative Morrison's service extended beyond her district and into key leadership positions at the state level. Prior to running for office, she served as Executive Director of the Governor's Commission for Women under Governor George W. Bush, and she was appointed to the Texas Commission for Volunteerism and Community Service and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. Her long-standing dedication to public service has earned her numerous awards, including the Boy Scouts of America South Texas Council's Distinguished Citizen Award, the Victoria Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, and recognition as one of South Texas' Women of the Year. These accolades are a testament to her unwavering commitment to her constituents and her deep-rooted belief in the importance of community involvement. As Representative Morrison embarks on this new chapter of her life, it is my honor to recognize her remarkable career and thank her for her faithful service to Texas. We are better off having had someone of Geanie's caliber involved in public service. May God bless her and her family in the days and years ahead.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the exceptional bravery, skill, and determination of the United States Coast Guard units stationed along the Gulf Coast. These dedicated men and women came together in a large-scale Search and Rescue operation, resulting in the safe recovery of two scuba divers who had been separated from their dive vessel and lost at sea for nearly two days. On the morning of July 24th, the Sector Corpus Christi Command Center received a distress call reporting two divers missing more than 30 miles offshore from Matagorda Texas and the Coast Guard immediately mobilized multiple assets. Leading this Search and Rescue effort was Lieutenant Commander Nina McDonald whose knowledge and experience helped coordinate the safe return of the divers. During the search, the Coast Guard faced severe weather and a vast search area. After hours without any luck, the aircrew of Coast Guard 2306 took over the search efforts. Despite daunting conditions, including reduced visibility, overcast skies, and hazardous flying through numerous cloud layers, this crew pressed on. After hours in the air, Petty Officer Nathan Cyrus, serving as a visual observer, spotted a faint flash of light on the water and the aircrew quickly maneuvered to the location where Petty Officer James Welzig, the dropmaster, prepared the aircraft for an aerial delivery of rescue equipment. Under the command of Lieutenant Brian Holcombe and Lieutenant Junior Grade Jake Pritchett, the aircrew helped guide the Coast Guard Cutter to the scene where the crew successfully located and rescued the two divers, who had endured 38 harrowing hours at sea. This remarkable rescue operation is a testament to the unparalleled excellence of our Coast Guard personnel. Their efforts in saving these lives reflect the highest standards of service and sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring these courageous men and women of the United States Coast Guard. Their actions over those intense 38 hours exemplify the very best of our Nation's values, and we owe them our deepest gratitude.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor George Hyak, a native of Victoria, Texas, who passed away on May 4, at the age of 104 years. George's 104 years marked a life well lived. He was a wonderful man whose life truly emulated the values of faith, family, and freedom that built the American miracle. Growing up in the family grocery store business, George learned early the value of hard work and the importance of family. These values guided him throughout his long life. When his country called, George answered the call without hesitation and served in some of the most significant battles of World War II, including D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Ardennes campaign. It is because of the bravery of men like George that we enjoy the freedoms we do today. After returning home from the war, George continued his journey and became an entrepreneur, where his work ethic and dedication helped him to grow a successful local business. He was always ready to give back to the community and even served as a volunteer firefighter, but it was at home where George truly thrived and where he built his beautiful family with his devoted wife of 75 years. He loved nothing more than spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren. Quite the storyteller, those closest to him tell of him captivating family and friends with tales of those significant battle campaigns that he was in. Faith was the key central focus to George's life. Oftentimes George's powerful voice could be heard singing hymns loudly in worship, praising the Lord with all his heart. This faith guided him, giving him strength and comfort his whole life. As we look back on George's life, we are reminded of the profound impact one person can have on a family, a community, and a nation. George's life is a testament to service, love, and faith, and he lived fully, loved deeply, and served honorably. As we honor him today, let's remember the legacy that he left and strive to live with the same courage, dedication, and love that he showed every day of his 104 years. honoring officer kyle hicks

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer Kyle Hicks of the Corpus Christi Police Department who tragically died in the line of duty on April 24, 2024. Kyle was a dedicated husband, father, and public servant to all who knew him. He was known for his selflessness, steadfast integrity, and tireless commitment to his community. Kyle was 12 years old when he became a Texan. He graduated from Grace Preparatory Academy in Arlington, marking the start of a life devoted to public service and dedication to others. Family was central to Kyle's life. In his early years as an employee of Chick-fil-A, he met his future wife, Cassie, whom he married in Arlington, and they soon became proud parents of four. It didn't take long for Kyle and Cassie to pursue public service as a family. Even after being promoted to general manager at Chick-fil-A, Kyle decided to follow his dream to serve and protect his community, and in January of 2023, he graduated from the police academy to become an officer with the Corpus Christi Police Department. As an officer, Kyle Hicks was beloved by his colleagues. He was known for his quiet strength, his unique sense of humor, and his unwavering integrity. Throughout his career as a police officer, Kyle devoted himself entirely to the safety and well-being of our families and our community, serving to make Corpus Christi a better and safer place for everyone. As we grieve his loss, we take comfort in knowing that he lived a life of profound purpose. His sacrifice is a testament to the courage and dedication of our law enforcement officers, inspiring all of us to honor his memory through our commitment to service. John 15:13 says this: Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends. It is humbling to think that we get to enjoy the blessings of liberty because of people like Kyle who have committed their life to service. May God bring comfort to his loved ones and grant them His peace which surpasses all understanding during this very difficult time. Our prayers are with them.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the retirement of James Blanton after his incredible 35 years in law enforcement. James' journey started in 1989 as a Patrol Sergeant and Criminal Investigator for the Caldwell County Sheriff's Department, where he played an important role in the CAPCO Drug Task Force and solidified his reputation as a trusted law enforcement professional. His career brought him through a variety of roles, including Investigator for the Bastrop County Sheriff's Department, Deputy for the Comal County Sheriff's Department, and Deputy Constable for Precinct 2 in Hays County. In each and every assignment, James' integrity and professionalism stood out among his colleagues--leading to a decorated career. Most notably, James has been awarded with the Master Peace Officer classification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, recognizing his excellence in the field. But more than any award or career achievement, James is known for his character, and his respect for all individuals he encountered during his service. His unwavering commitment to serving his community marks truly a job well done, and a life well lived. As James embarks on this new chapter of his life, it is my honor to recognize his remarkable service and dedication. I join the communities James has served in thanking him for his years of service. May God bless him and his family in the months and years ahead.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Mrs. Martha Tice's 100th birthday. Born on February 11, 1924, Martha hails from the wonderful South Texas town of Sinton in my district. A retired schoolteacher, she is well known throughout the community for her selfless heart, as the proud matriarch of her loving family, and someone who still takes every opportunity to give back to others. Martha and her late husband, Henry, raised their two daughters in Sinton and have been blessed with five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. On this truly wonderful occasion, I join her family and the whole Sinton community in wishing Martha Tice a wonderful 100th birthday. May God continue to bless her and her family in the months and years ahead.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, if we were to ask the cartels to design a border security apparatus for the United States, it would look very much like the one the Biden administration has given us--just enough of the illusion of border security for them to be able to charge a hefty premium but not enough to actually stop their trafficking of humans and drugs into our country. The truth is, the Biden administration has every single authority and more resources than the Trump administration had to secure the border, but they refuse to do so. They blame Texas. They blame us in Congress by saying they need more money. As one Border Patrol agent I talked to just 2 weeks ago on the border said, it is like we are holding a bucket in front of an open fire hydrant, and they keep asking for more buckets. We need to cap the fire hydrant. The problem from Congress' perspective is that we send over a check to the administration, and on the memo column, we put ``border security,'' but this administration has taken that check, cashed it, and used it to aid and abet cartels with human trafficking and drug trafficking into our country. We have to stop this. Money that is set aside for natural disasters to help Americans through FEMA goes to help NGOs, this entire cottage industry where cartels bring migrants to our country. Our border security apparatus, along with NGOs and Federal taxpayer funding, is then used to transport them throughout the country, where many times the cartels pick up that relationship and keep migrants in indentured servitude and as sex slaves. We cannot continue to allow this to happen. What is happening when we talk about processing who is coming across the border right now? Primarily, it is military-age single adults. When our border security has to collapse to a processing center, it leaves hundreds of miles open. It is where we have what we call known got-aways and, even more dangerous, the unknown got-aways that are coming across our border. We have no idea what is happening. We have to secure our border. It is a humanitarian issue. It is a national security issue.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, every American wants what every Republican wants, and that is a strong military. We realize that is our number one constitutional obligation. We want the most capable, the most lethal military in the world. We need them to maintain peace and security. When we have to send them into harm's way, we want them to go with a clear mission and with every tool they need for victory. When they come home, we want to take care of the veterans and make sure they are welcomed and cared for. We want to make sure they have everything they need to succeed following their service in uniform to our country. Unfortunately, what we have seen lately is our military has, in many ways, gone off its primary mission of protecting, securing, and preparing to continue to secure our Nation. They have gotten into social engineering, indeed, teaching CRT, DEI, and advancing things like gender ideology. We have heard about drag shows at military bases, taxpayer-funded abortion travel, and taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries. It has certainly affected our recruiting. It has affected our capabilities. It has affected our readiness and ability to project power around the world. I was happy to support the NDAA as it left the House and went to the Senate because it was focused on getting our military back to its focus, its purpose of protecting and securing our country; being that strong, lethal fighting force; and getting out of what we have known to become this woke move toward the military that has affected our capability. Let's talk about the process it was supposed to go through. We understand that we send forth a good bill from the House, and then it goes to the Senate. There is supposed to be a conference on that. As a matter of fact, many Members worked to get on that conference committee. Many other Members worked to support people who would get on that conference committee in order to work and support different objectives that were in there. A couple of things we were working on in our office was a bill that would let rank-and-file military be able to go into work in military contracting right after service. There has been a law that was meant to keep, for example, generals who were making big-time decisions about government, for example, from going to Raytheon and serving on a board because it wanted to make sure that their military decisions were not affected by future board positions. But the rank and file of our military kind of fell under that. For example, we have an Army depot in our district. The rank and file cannot be employed there for 6 months after their retirement from military service. By then, they have often had to move on and find other careers. We also had another provision that we were working on to make sure that the depots throughout our country that are tasked with the important duty of restoring and refurbishing our military hardware, supporting the warfighter and doing it in an efficient manner, that they continue to be able to thrive and survive. Those things fell off in what was our alleged conference. This conference--instead of the Members that we elected to send there to represent this body--were instead four people who got together and the staffs probably of those four people made the decisions. Those two provisions were taken out of this bill, as well. Let's talk about the House rules. All year, we talked about rewriting the muscle memory of Congress. We worked hard. I cannot tell you how many times we have heard the importance of single-subject bills and that we as Republicans were going to advocate for that. We were not going to marry things that were extraneous to each other. We were going to have bills that had to deal with germaneness. We added a germaneness rule in January that had never existed. We were going to say that any amendments to bills have to be germane. Anything we are going to add onto a bill has to be germane. Come to find out that we now have the NDAA, which has come back from the Senate with a number of woke provisions in it, and added to that now is a FISA extension. In the Senate, the Parliamentarian says that is not germane to the NDAA. In the House, we actually have a tougher germaneness rule. How are we getting around that? We are going to put it on the suspension calendar. We are just going to suspend the rules and say the rules that we said we were going to operate by, we are not going to operate by when it comes to this bill. This is a tragedy. Finally, when it comes to the Constitution, the Constitution is clear that Americans should not be warrantlessly surveilled. We know we have a DOJ that has been doing that. They have well extended their authorities. We had so much FISA abuse. There were literally hundreds of thousands of instances of FISA abuse. Yet, we are asking for a clean extension of these provisions. The Constitution was not written to be shredded in times of crisis or urgency. As a matter of fact, the Constitution was written specifically to place limits on our government in times of crisis and urgency. It is not a time for us to look away and say that we will shred the Constitution a little bit here. The very purpose that the Constitution exists is to protect us in times like this and to make sure that we continue to protect the rights of the American people. It is extremely important that we do everything we can to make sure that we do not pass a FISA out of this House that does not protect the American people. We cannot continue to allow them to spy on the American people, to surveil them without a warrant. Let's get back to what we are here for. We want an NDAA that is going to focus on our military. We realize the importance of the first constitutional responsibility of this House, and that is to fund a military that will defend our Constitution and protect this land. We are willing to do that. Let's revisit this NDAA. Let's send this back to conference. Let's get us focused on what needs to be done, and for goodness' sake, let's not put a FISA extension that does not protect the rights of the American people. I am happy to be joined by my good friend from the great State of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains.

Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde).

Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. CLOUD. I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. CLOUD

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

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Chair, my amendment makes a technical fix to what seems to be a copy and paste drafting error in the bill, replacing ``Treasure Island Job Corps'' in section 114 of the bill, which was the language signed into last year's bill, to ``Gary Job Corps Center,'' which was supposed to be in this year's bill. The Gary Job Corps facility in San Marcos, Texas, is one of the largest in the country and, as such, has a great deal of excess land. This land is located adjacent to the fast-growing San Marcos Regional Airport. For several years now, the city of San Marcos has been working closely with the Gary Job Corps Center and the Department of Labor on ways for the city to make better use of that excess land to the benefit of its citizens. This area of San Marcos is a key cog in the regional growth plan for the city and region, and the use of such additional land will ensure that the trend continues as the area brings in more and more economic investment. This amendment will simply allow the Department of Labor to negotiate directly with the city on dispersal of such land at fair market value without having to go through the yearlong GSA Federal land dispersal process. It replicates an effort that was done last year with the Treasure Island facility in California, so there is strong precedent. By removing some bureaucratic red tape, the amendment, which has the blessing of the Department of Labor, will ensure that San Marcos, Texas, continues its efforts to be an economic engine for the region. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of my amendment, which provides a small technical fix to this bill.

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Chair, I will repeat that Treasure Island Job Corps was in last year's bill, and as the majority drafted this year's bill, I think we know what needs to be in the bill. Let me also point out that President Biden's Department of Labor supports this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLOUD

Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church of Smiley, Texas, on its remarkable 60th anniversary this year. This incredible achievement stands as a powerful testament to the Congregation's unwavering commitment to the faith and the Lord's goodness to His people. The Church's story is one of God's timeliness, faithfulness, provision. It dates back to February 15, 1963, when Reverend Benton Thurmond wrote a letter to Archbishop Lucey requesting the need for the people to have a place to teach and freely practice their faith. It was decided that two Divine Providence Sister Catechists, working out of Gonzales, Texas, came to Smiley one full day a week to help Father Thurmond's jurisdiction. At the time, the plans for the St. Philip's Church were going through approval of construction plans and financing--and with any similar project comes financial challenges that often seem insurmountable. Yet, the Lord provided a donation through the Catholic Church Extension Society that summer, and by the Fall of 1963, all plans were approved for the new Church--beginning with a cornerstone donated by Robert Pessek of Hallettsville, Texas. In the years ahead, the Church became a rock in the community, serving as a place for neighbors to connect, gather, and worship. But more than anything, St. Philip's milestone is a true testament to God's grace toward his people. Today, Father Naveen Thumma continues St. Philip's longstanding tradition of faith and spirit in the parish, leading the congregation into an incredible 60th year of service. Philippians 4:19 says ``And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.'' There is no better example St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, sustained through God's goodness. On November 10 and 11, the Church will observe its 60th birthday with a celebration, and I want to congratulate them and extend them well wishes on behalf of Texas-27. May God continue to bless them and provide for them in the coming years ahead. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to St. Philip's Church on this memorable day. May God continue to bless the Church, their leaders, and the congregation in the present and future.