Mike Ezell

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Master Sergeant James Edward (Jim) Garner, Jr., who passed on June 17, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Paulding, Mississippi in 1936, Jim served 27 years in the U.S. Army. He was deployed to places such as Korea, Vietnam, The Dominican Republic, Thailand, Cambodia, and more, retiring in 1980 as a Special Forces Master Sergeant. He led operations under Colonel Charles Beckwith of Delta Force, and later taught ROTC at Marion Military Institute, where he created the school's first Orienteering Team. His unmatched dedication is awarded and shown through his dozens of military honors and decorations. Jim excelled at checkers and dominos, cooked delicious meals, loved outdoor pursuits, and kept a thriving garden. He was known for being an avid reader and having a vast knowledge of old movies. But above all, he cherished his wife Margaret, and their big loving family. Today we honor a life that was full of service, courage, mentorship, and love. Jim Garner was a true American Hero.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, if you have ever played the game of golf in the Mississippi heat, you know the game gives nothing away. The course doesn't care about your story, but every now and then, someone comes along who plays the game with so much heart, so much resolve, it demands our respect. Dawson Thompson is one of those people. Raised in Pascagoula and born with achondroplasia, Dawson never asked for shortcuts. Even after surgeries, even when given permission to ride a cart, he walked every hole every round because that is what his competitors were doing and because that is who Dawson is. Earlier this month, Dawson competed in the U.S. Adaptive Open, one of the most competitive and inspiring stages in golf. He carried not just his clubs but the hopes of a town, a State, and anyone who has ever been told a dream was out of reach. Mr. Speaker, Dawson Thompson didn't just represent Pascagoula, Mississippi, with pride. He showed the Nation what quiet strength and true perseverance look like. I am proud to congratulate Dawson on his remarkable achievement, and I know the entire Fourth District joins me in celebrating his journey and hoping this is just the beginning.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Ms. Ernestine McCauley Dailey, a faithful servant and a beloved and proud Mississippian who was called home to her Heavenly Father on June 21, 2025, at the age of 99. Born in Jasper, Alabama, Ernestine spent over six decades in Gautier, Mississippi, where she lived a life signified by humility, strength, and service. Ernestine worked at E.R. Moore Garment Company. She became the very first secretary at Gautier Elementary School, and she later served in the vice president's office at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, touching countless lives through her work. Alongside her beloved husband, Uless, a World War II veteran, Ernestine traveled this great Nation in their motor home, creating memories and spreading joy wherever they went. At her passing, she was the oldest member of the Gautier First Baptist Church in Gautier, Mississippi, a source of great pride and reflection of her enduring faith. She leaves behind a legacy of love, family, and devotion. Let us honor Ms. Ernestine today by remembering the values that she cherished: faith, family, and community.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary American and proud son of south Mississippi, Lieutenant Colonel Boyd Mason, for his nearly three decades of distinguished service to our country. Lieutenant Colonel Mason served with courage and honor, including 2\1/2\ years doing Active Duty in the Vietnam war. His dedication to our Nation didn't end with his military service. He continues to be a guiding light in Jackson County and all across south Mississippi's Fourth Congressional District. Today, Mr. Mason faces a new battle. The battle this time is a personal one, a fight against cancer. Yet, his strength and spirit remain unshaken. He is a devoted father of 5, grandfather to 12, and a great-grandfather to 5 more. Lieutenant Colonel Mason's legacy of service, faith, and perseverance reaches far beyond the battlefield. It lives on in the lives he has touched and the freedoms he helped to defend. While our military members risk their lives every day for the sake of our great country, it is more important than ever to honor those who answered the call. Lieutenant Colonel Mason is a hero, plain and simple, and I ask all Americans to join me in keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Speaker, we honor Lieutenant Colonel Mason today.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 161. personal explanation

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2035) to amend title 46, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that all cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation are transported on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States, and for other purposes.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 2035.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2035, the American Cargo for American Ships Act. This measure focuses on strengthening the United States maritime industry by mandating that cargo procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation must be transported on United States- owned, -flagged, and -crewed commercial vehicles. This bill ensures that the United States carriers will play a more significant role in the transportation of goods funded by the Federal Government, which will fuel economic growth and bolster United States maritime jobs. H.R. 2035 also helps ensure that our Nation has a ready fleet of vessels and mariners that we can mobilize in national times of emergency. I am proud to co-lead this legislation, and I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Carbajal) for introducing this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. American shipping has been severely undermined over the past several decades, largely due to the dominance of foreign-flagged vessels that operate at lower cost by sidestepping United States labor, safety, and environmental standards. H.R. 2035 is critical to restoring our Nation's maritime industry and ushering in a new era of American maritime dominance. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to co-lead this legislation, and I would like to express my gratitude, again, to Representative Carbajal for introducing the bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2351) to direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the policy of the Coast Guard regarding the use of medication to treat drug overdose, and for other purposes.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record for H.R. 2351.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2351 directs the Commandant of the Coast Guard to update the services policy regarding use of medication to treat drug overdoses. This bill also strengthens the Coast Guard's ability to go after drug traffickers and respond to opioid overdoses. H.R. 2351 amends the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act, removing ambiguities in the current law which prohibits the prosecution of cases involving unmanned or autonomous vessels. This bill will therefore ensure that drug traffickers responsible can be charged, tried, and convicted. Mr. Speaker, I thank T&I Committee member, Representative McDowell, for his leadership on this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 2351, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McDowell).

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, this bill will ensure drug traffickers face justice as they employ new technology and methods to flood our country with dangerous drugs. It will also give the Coast Guard the parity to police other armed services with regard to rapid treatment of drug overdoses, keeping guardsmen safe from accidental exposure. H.R. 2351 implements changes that will help secure our maritime border and increase safety on our seas. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2390) to amend title 46, United States Code, to clarify that port infrastructure development program funds may be used to replace Chinese port crane hardware or software, and for other purposes.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record for H.R. 2390.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2390, the Maritime Supply Chain Security Act. This bill strengthens the ability of ports to confront threats by Chinese software and hardware. H.R. 2390 clarifies that funds from maritime port infrastructure development programs can be used for projects focused on upgrading or replacing port cranes that were either installed or supplied by the People's Republic of China or any of its related government entities. I want to thank Representative Rouzer, leader on the T&I Committee, for his work on this legislation that ensures Federal funds can be used to counter threats posed by our Nation's adversaries. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer).

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close and I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2390. It is an important next step in securing American ports and reducing the potential threat from foreign equipment and software. We must continue to take action to protect our transportation system from both physical and cyber threats. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 248) to require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in bathrooms on passenger rail cars.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 248.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 248, the Baby Changing on Board Act is effective, bipartisan legislation intended to help parents better care for their children when traveling. The bill requires Amtrak to install baby changing tables in all ADA- accessible restrooms on trains owned by Amtrak. These facilities are common on other transportation modes, including airlines. They are likewise necessary on intercity passenger rails. The bipartisan bill is a long, overdue improvement to Amtrak service. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.