Charles (Chuck) Edwards

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, today I rise on behalf of my constituents in western North Carolina to highlight the dire situation at the southern border and to advocate for the enforcement of our Nation's immigration laws. The Biden administration continues to break records and not in a good way. The number of individuals on the terrorist watch list that were apprehended illegally crossing the southwest border increased 2,500 percent from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2023, and a record- breaking 301,000 migrants were caught trying to illegally enter our country in the month of December alone. Our country's border control agents are overwhelmed, and they are underfunded. What has President Biden done? He has done nothing but open our southern border up to more illegal immigrants and chaos. I went to the Tucson sector of the southern border last year to witness the crisis for myself. I saw millions of taxpayer dollars in the form of unused border wall materials rusting away in the hot Arizona sun. Local law enforcement pointed out to me where the border wall ends at the top of a hill and shared how cartel members sit on the Mexico side of the mountain peak to serve as a lookout. These cartel members are able to see for miles and signal to illegal immigrants when the coast is clear so that migrants can then flood our open border. Many of the illegal immigrants trying to cross our border are military-aged men. They are not families and children. They are cartel members trying to smuggle fentanyl into our borders and cause harm to our communities. Local law enforcement shared how difficult it has been to step up when executives in the Federal Government refuse to prioritize our national security. I sympathize with Cochise County law enforcement, and I think every law enforcement officer across this country can sympathize, too. Sheriffs across this country have told me that they have asked to meet with Joe Biden to tell him firsthand of the problems that they are having and their request, for some reason, has not been granted. Why won't the President not meet with them? Is he afraid of the truth? Since 2021, America has seen an unprecedented surge at our southern border. Customs and Border Patrol reports over 7.6 million encounters, and the Secretary of Homeland Security has affirmed more than 85 percent of the migrants caught illegally crossing our southern border are ultimately released back into the country. That is nearly 6.5 million migrants released into the interior of the United States by the Department of Homeland Security since January 2021. Now, we have record levels of fentanyl flowing across our borders, courtesy of the Mexican cartels. Over 27,000 pounds were seized last year, and it is destroying the very fabric of our communities. In 2022 alone, illicit opioids claimed the lives of 313 members of my district. That is 313 sets of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and loved ones gone due to drug trafficking promoted at our southern border and ignored by our country's President. During my time in Congress, I have written, cosponsored, and helped pass legislation in the House to secure the southern border and end this administration's radical and dangerous border policies. I was proud to cosponsor and vote for H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act over a year ago, last May. Senate Democrats and President Biden could take real concrete steps to solve this migration crisis and to address everything from court backlogs to the trafficking of unaccompanied children if they would just get behind H.R. 2, but they haven't. Why are Democrats so adamantly opposed to commonsense legislation to protect Americans and close our southern border once and for all? Instead of supporting the strongest border security package in American history, the Senate has proposed a do-nothing border bill that enriches criminal networks, uses taxpayer dollars to fund organizations that facilitate mass illegal immigration, and codifies Biden's open-border policies like catch and release. As terrorists, drugs, and weapons flow freely into our country, I believe that we should be putting the American people first, not playing political patty-cake.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Clay County, N.C. Corporal Will Suggs in recognition of his service. Cpl. Suggs is a veteran of the U.S. Army who continues to serve his community as a resident and Deputy Sheriff in Clay County. Cpl. Suggs oversees the Court and Civil Process division of Field Operations. In addition to those duties, Cpl. Suggs is a Field Training Officer and a supervisor of the Clay County Animal Control Unit. Cpl. Suggs consistently sets an example by his dedication and professionalism to the Office of the Sheriff and the citizens of Clay County. His leadership qualities, his work ethic, and his commitment to the betterment of Clay County make him an invaluable member of North Carolina's 11th District. I thank Cpl. Suggs for his dedicated service to our country and to Clay County.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Clay County, N.C. Lieutenant Tyler Faggard in recognition of his service. Lt. Faggard, a Clay County native, began his career in law enforcement as a Clay County Telecommunicator before becoming a commissioned Justice Officer. He went on to serve the citizens of neighboring Cherokee County as a Patrol Deputy before achieving the rank of Detective. In 2021 Lt. Faggard returned home and accepted a position with the Clay County Sheriff's Office as Patrol Lieutenant. Lt. Faggard's hard work ethic and commitment to his service led him to be recruited to his current position as a Clay County Task Force Officer attached to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Lt. Faggard is wise beyond his years in law enforcement as it relates to investigative techniques. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in reducing the flow of illicit drugs into the area. I thank Lt. Faggard for his brave and tireless service to Clay and Cherokee Counties.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents to bring awareness to the Equal Representation Act in addition to issues surrounding the border crisis, antisemitism and energy costs. Dear Friend, This week, I was successful in passing my fourth bill since serving in Congress, the Equal Representation Act. Our democracy depends on electoral integrity, and that includes fair and equal representation of American citizens. By requiring a citizenship question on the decennial census, the Equal Representation Act would make sure that only U.S. citizens--those who have the right to vote--are counted when apportioning the number of congressional seats and Electoral College votes that each state has. Including non-citizens in the count when divvying up the number of congressional seats for each state weakens Americans' representation. In fact, the Center for Immigration Studies found that California has more congressional seats than the population would otherwise allow, and New York has four more, giving these states a greater influence in determining the direction of our country. We need guardrails to protect our democracy, and that includes making sure that American citizens--and American citizens only--are accurately represented in their federal government. It's time to stop diluting the voice and votes of Americans and with the passage of my bill, it's clear that many of my colleagues agree. Condemning the administration's deadly border crisis A major reason we need to stop illegal immigrants from skewing representation numbers in our government is due to this administration's disastrous open-border policies that have allowed more than 7.2 million illegal immigrants to enter our country through our southern border. That is more than the population of 36 states. President Biden inherited policies from President Trump that would have strengthened our border security. However, since Biden's first day in office, he has reversed policies that were in place to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, and has undermined U.S. border security on more than 60 occasions. The House sent a strong message by passing H. Res. 1112, which condemns this administration's policies that have created this costly border crisis. We also urged the administration to take immediate action to end this national security threat, and we will not rest until law and order is restored at our borders. The president's clandestine flights of more than 400,000 illegal immigrants The House Homeland Security Committee recently released documents that identified more than 45 airport locations to which the president secretly flew more than 400,000 illegal immigrants. These documents are another example of how this administration is jeopardizing the safety of Americans and our national security, and why the House needed to pass the strongest border security bill in history, the Secure the Border Act, which would strengthen our borders by restoring President Trump's border policies. Standing with Jewish students and Israel You've probably seen footage of antisemitic mobs who have been defending the actions of Hamas, harassing Jewish students and disrupting learning across college campuses in America. The House has launched a probe to crack down on campus antisemitism, and we will not stop until Jewish students feel safe on their campuses, and until universities that fail to do their part are held accountable. Colleges and universities need leadership with a moral backbone to stand up against antisemitism and provide a safe learning environment for Jewish students. Any administrators who refuse to hold these protestors accountable are not fit to lead and should resign. Taxpayers are shouldering the cost of open border policies During a House Budget Committee hearing, members examined the financial consequences of the administration's border crisis and had an opportunity to inform the American people of the true cost of open border policies. The White House's open border policies have resulted in a surge of illegal immigrant encounters and influx of deadly drugs across our southwestern border. This is being paid for by the American taxpayer at the federal, state and local levels. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) calculated that illegal immigration for 2023 alone cost taxpayers $150.7 billion. Taxpayers are shouldering $8,776 per illegal immigrant per year for nearly 22 million illegal immigrants to cover costs including for housing, feeding, clothing, jailing, adjudication, education and shelter. To protect American lives and improve the federal government's stewardship of taxpayer dollars, securing our southwestern border requires a collaborative partnership among all levels of government, including federal, state and local. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I'll continue to look for avenues to enforce the law of the land and implement a cost-effective, comprehensive border security strategy that secures our border, ends illegal immigration and protects our citizens. A port's significance in the health of U.S. supply chain, economy Imagine this: You go to the grocery store and there's no fruit. Or maybe you're building a house and there's a steel and lumber shortage. Why? Because North Carolina's largest port, the Port of Wilmington, has been cut off due to a collapse of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, This collapse would immediately restrict access to the port, which contributes $12.9 billion to North Carolina's economy every year, directly and indirectly supports more than 87,700 jobs across the Old North State, and would cost the economy tens of millions of dollars each day the port is closed. That's what the Port of Baltimore and the citizens of Maryland are experiencing due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the lower Patapsco River. I recently visited the Port of Baltimore and the wreckage site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Our mission was to better understand the collapse, its impact on the economy, and what will be needed to rebuild the bridge. The Port of Baltimore is the nation's farthest-inland port, and the top domestic port for cars, forest products, farm equipment and sugar. The port generates $4.7 billion in economic value to the state of Maryland and supports nearly 22,000 jobs, Estimates predict the Baltimore port's closure costs America's economy $15 million each day it is closed and has added hours to transportation times for vital goods and services that Americans rely on every day in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Ships are having to travel greater distances to offload shipments, and an estimated 5,000 trucks per day are being diverted across the region, adding hours to their travel time and significantly affecting the flow of goods across most of the United States. Maryland's transportation secretary estimates that the cost to rebuild this critical pillar of our nation's supply chain is nearly S1.9 billion. At some point, when Maryland comes to the federal government for our assistance in funding this rebuild, I want you to know that I will be supporting that effort for the sake of our nation's supply chain and for the health of our national economy, just as I would hope my colleagues in Maryland would do if such a tragedy were to ever happen at a North Carolina port. Scaling back unachievable energy standards If the White House is going to require new product standards for energy conservation, the requirements should be feasible and reasonable. I cast NC-11's vote for the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act to modify the Department of Energy's (DOE) procedures for mandating energy-efficiency standards by prohibiting the DOE secretary from requiring standards that are not technologically feasible and economically justified. Western North Carolinians are already burdened by rising costs, and the last thing we need is more unrealistic federal regulations that further raise prices, fail to provide meaningful energy savings and take away consumer choice. Gold Star Family Fellowship Program The Gold Star Family Fellowship Program is organized by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House of Representatives and is an opportunity for Gold Star family members to apply for a one-year fellowship with members of Congress. This includes any family member (parents, children including stepchildren, spouses or siblings) of military members who have died in the line of duty. If you are interested in applying for this fellowship, visit the CAO website here. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards Member of Congress

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Mia Norton for her invaluable work as a congressional intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office and serving the people of Western North Carolina this spring. Mia is from Clyde, North Carolina, located in NC-11. She will soon be concluding her sophomore year at American University, where she is studying journalism and political science. Interns work with congressional staff to serve constituents in my district. Mia was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, and she exceeded every expectation. It was a pleasure to work with Mia, and I am proud to have such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. Mia exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that Western North Carolina has to offer. Congratulations to Mia on the successful completion of her internship.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Biggs for leading this debate, and I thank Mr. Davidson for his co-leadership on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I will tell you what is an insult. The current situation is an insult to the American people, the citizens who live here whose voice and vote are being degraded because of the horrendous immigration problem that we have at our southern border through illegal aliens coming across the border, and that not being addressed here in Washington, D.C. One of the lesser acknowledged, but equally alarming, side effects of this administration's failure to secure the southern border is the illegal immigration population's influence in America's electoral process. Our democracy depends on accurate representation and electoral integrity. Voting is a coveted privilege held by American citizens, and elected Representatives are responsible for serving the interests of the voters in their district. Even if not a single illegal alien casts a vote, the mere presence of illegal immigrants in the United States is having a profound impact on the outcomes of elections, skewing the representation of Americans. Mr. Biggs points out that the U.S. Constitution mandates that a Census be carried out every 10 years where everyone who is present in the United States, regardless of their citizenship and immigration status, is counted. The Constitution does not specify whether noncitizens or illegal aliens must be counted for the purpose of apportioning House seats. You may recall that in 2016, President Trump through executive order added a citizenship question back to the 2020 Census, the same question that had been legally asked on nearly every Census since 1820 until it was removed in 1960, not because there was anything found wrong with that question, but because the effect of illegal immigration was negligible at that time. However, there is no doubt today, Mr. Speaker, the effect of illegal immigration is significant. I won't waste my time making that case here. We all know it. It is a top concern of about 70 percent of all Americans. Though common sense dictates that only citizens should be counted for the apportionment process, illegal aliens have nonetheless recently been counted toward the final tallies that determine how many House seats that each State is allocated and the number of electoral votes that it will wield in Presidential elections. Since the illegal alien population is not evenly distributed through the Nation, American citizens in some States are losing representation in Congress to illegal aliens in other States. A 2019 study by the Center for Immigration Studies estimates illegal immigrants and noncitizens who have not naturalized and do not have the right to vote impact the distribution of 26 House seats. My bill, the Equal Representation Act, would finally address this alarming undermining of American democracy by requiring a citizenship question be added back to the 2030 Census, creating reporting requirements for data gathered from citizenship questions and requiring that only U.S. citizens be counted for the purpose of congressional apportionment. Mr. Speaker, this bill will no doubt and has no doubt drawn criticism from those who don't want to fix this problem and who seek to gain political influence by not fixing it. They will claim to have become experts on our Constitution. I don't see any black robes in this Chamber today. They will point to the word ``persons'' in section 2 of the 14th Amendment as a reason why this bill should not pass, but this word carries no definition in our Constitution, and it offers multiple meanings in current law. Allow me to argue, in 1992, in Franklin v. Massachusetts, a Supreme Court case on apportionment of Representatives opined the term ``persons'' to mean an individual who not only has a physical presence but some element of allegiance to a particular place. The Census Bureau does not include foreigners who visit the United States for a vacation or a business trip in the population count since they have no political or legal allegiance to any State or the Federal Government.

Mr. EDWARDS. Similarly, illegal aliens who are deportable have no allegiance or enduring tie to the United States. Foreigners here on visas have an allegiance politically and legally to their home countries, not to the United States, so the same logic applies to them. My bill is a commonsense solution to a chronic problem impacting the very governance and democracy of this country.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Van Orden of Wisconsin for his leadership on H.R. 5914, the Veterans Education Transparency and Training Act. This bill makes much-needed improvements to veteran educational assistance programs, and it will expand job opportunities for the brave men and women who serve our great Nation. I am similarly grateful to Mr. Van Orden for his collaboration and including my bill, the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023, into the VETT Act. The VICDL Act will increase veteran access to timely, quality commercial driver license training, increase the truck driver workforce pool, and reduce the strain on our Nation's supply chain that is currently worsened by the severe truck driver shortage. Across the United States, the trucking industry is facing more than a 78,000-driver shortage, which some estimate could reach 160,000 by 2030. The shortage is exacerbated, in part, by burdensome red tape restricting veteran access to commercial driver license training using their GI Bill benefits. Currently, roughly 8,400 commercial driving programs are approved for use by eligible veterans under the GI Bill, but a statutory 2-year rule prevents these training facilities from accepting GI benefits at secondary locations for 2 years. This burdensome red tape has excluded many veterans from attending closer secondary branch training facilities, and it has been forcing veterans to travel hundreds of miles further for training or to wait 2 years to pursue their CDL. My bill fixes that issue by exempting new branches of preapproved training facilities located in the same State as each other from the statutory 2-year wait to accept veterans' benefits. Before I close, I thank the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas) for being my bipartisan co-lead on the bill and Senators Fischer and Padilla for leading this effort in the Senate. Ultimately, this is a commonsense reform with wide organizational support that will reduce unnecessary roadblocks to veteran training and workforce opportunities. I am grateful for its inclusion in the VETT Act, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5914.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Madam Chair, Ronald Reagan said: ``Democracy is worth dying for because it is the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.'' Madam Chair, that is but one of the reasons I rise today in support of H.R. 8035. At this moment, the world is looking to America for leadership and asking: Do we still stand behind our belief in democracy, and are we the world power that we acclaim? At this moment, we have the opportunity to stand for democracy and for world order with no drop of blood shed by American troops. Without our help, a democracy is certain to fall to a murderous, Marxist, socialist dictator. I recently toured Ukraine. My eyes have witnessed the remnants of the barbaric, unadulterated terrorism that is taking place there, and my ears have heard the numerous testimonies of the unthinkable acts by the Russian Army. Putin, through his words and his actions, have made clear that our world's security and our Nation's security are at risk. Ronald Reagan also said: ``There is sin and evil in the world, and we are enjoined by Scripture and the Lord Jesus to oppose it with all our might.'' Madam Chair, let's oppose this evil.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Henderson County, N.C. resident Sgt. John Ashe in recognition of his service. This month, Sgt. Ashe retired from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office after a long and decorated career in law enforcement. He most recently worked as an officer in the Henderson County courthouse, where he developed a close relationship with my district staff. Throughout John's 26 years in law enforcement, he worked in detention, warrant squad, criminal investigations as a general investigator, and as a narcotics detective, in animal enforcement, and was on the sniper team. John and his wife, Lisa, have been blessed to share their lives with Meghen, Bryan and Bella, whom they cherish and adore. I thank Sgt. Ashe for his brave and tireless service to Henderson County, and I wish him best of luck on all the hunting trips in his retirement.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hendersonville, N.C. resident and 102-year-old Army veteran, Lt. Col. Edwin Cottrell, in recognition of his service and heroism as a fighter pilot in World War II. Ed flew 65 missions in 1944 and 1945 as a P-47 pilot with the 493rd Fighter Squadron of the 48th Fighter Group of the 9th Army Air Force. Many of Ed's missions were flown during the Battle of the Bulge, when U.S. troops on the ground were defending against a strong German counteroffensive. His missions included bombing German artillery and Tiger Tanks, as well as taking out bridges. His service saved countless of his comrades' lives. The engine of Ed's P-47 was shot up by a German Me-109 fighter during a mission on Dec. 17, 1944. With oil splattered across his plane's windshield and only 10 out of 18 engine cylinders still functioning, Ed was guided to the nearest friendly airfield over the radio, only to have his engine freeze just before landing. He maneuvered a dead-stick landing, rolled to a stop, and kissed the ground when he got out of the P-47. To this day, he credits the reliability of the P-47's Pratt & Whitney engine for getting him back to base. Ed's service did not end with WWII. He went on to serve in the Air Force reserves for 28 years. He worked as a director of athletics at a school for boys and later coached multiple sports at West Chester State College in Pennsylvania, where he went on to become the associate dean. In his adopted town of Hendersonville, Ed is a local legend. Ever the adventurer, he chose to go skydiving for his 100th birthday. Ed and his college sweetheart, Millie Cottrell, raised two loving daughters, Susan and Mary, and celebrated 76 years of marriage together before her passing in 2020. I thank Lt. Col. Cottrell for his brave and tireless service to our great Nation.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Cherokee High School Girls Varsity Basketball team for winning the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 1A State Championship title for the first time since 1996. The Cherokee Lady Braves defeated their opponent by a dominating 42 points, making the final score 74-32. The entire team contributed to a historic State championship with every player on the Cherokee roster making an appearance in the game. The Lady Braves showcased the very best high school athletics, and I am confident that their determination, leadership, and perseverance will prepare them for success on and off the court. Fans tuned in at home and across the country, including Shaquille O'Neal, who shared his congratulations on Instagram. Congratulations to the Lady Braves on a remarkable victory. They have made western North Carolina proud.

Mr. EDWARDS

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

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I commend Mr. Perry for his work on this important bill. I had the opportunity to serve on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where this horrible expense issue was brought to our attention. I also thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Perez), my bipartisan co-lead, for her partnership on this amendment and the greater standalone bill. Mr. Chair, I am here today to urge support for my amendment to H.R. 6276, the USE IT Act. I introduced the Federal Use it or Lose it Leases Act, or the FULL Act, back in November to bring accountability to the practice of maintaining high telework levels while maintaining expensive office leases and to reduce wasteful government spending on unused office space. My bill was drafted in concurrence with Mr. Perry's USE IT Act to ensure that our language was synonymous and could work together to establish strong Federal building policies and procedures to reduce the Federal footprint. The FULL Act unanimously passed out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by voice vote during the full committee markup on November 15. As you well know, a GAO report found that 17 of the 24 major agency headquarters in D.C. were less than 25 percent occupied during the first quarter of 2023. Even the few agencies above 25 percent reported right around or below 50 percent occupancy. Meanwhile, taxpayers continue to pay for 100 percent of the office space Federal employees are not using. The Federal real estate portfolio has become a wasteland that is seldom reviewed. Leased assets cost taxpayers more than $6 billion a year. Even during the peak of telework, between 2020 and 2022, Federal agencies managed to spend more than $1 billion in a single year on new furnishings. If you compare the USE IT Act and my amendment, you will see our language is very similar. Mr. Perry's USE IT Act establishes the criteria that I reference in my amendment to regulate general Federal building practices. My bill differentiates itself by serving as the reporting catalyst for Mr. Perry's bill. The USE IT Act creates mandatory reporting requirements for agencies, and the FULL Act will require that GSA include language in all leases with Federal tenants directing the submission of an annual report on monthly occupancy and inclusion of written procedures governing the return of that unused office space to GSA. Together, the language ensures Congress has up-to-date information to make the best space utilization decisions for our taxpayers. The FULL Act also requires independent leasing authorities to submit a report to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the congressional committee of jurisdiction on occupancy and space utilization. Ultimately, my amendment seeks to equip Congress and GSA with the data needed to provide greater oversight of Federal leases, to reduce the Federal real estate footprint, and to ensure that we are maximizing every Federal dollar spent on office space for agency use. Mr. Perry's bill sets the best practices for managing Federal real estate, and my amendment provides the mechanism for implementing those best practices. Ultimately, Mr. Chair, I urge support of my amendment, which will help to strengthen congressional oversight of government spending on office leases and prevent taxpayers from continuing to foot the bill for underutilized Federal office space. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Washington State (Ms. Perez).

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Robbinsville High School wrestling team for winning the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 1A team tournament title for the first time in the school's history. The Robbinsville Black Knights defeated their opponent by 10 points, ending their opponent's 4-year winning streak. Senior and four-time State champion Kage Williams was awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament and broke the program win record with 169 career victories. It was also a banner year for longtime coach, David Haney. Coach Haney has been with Robbinsville since 1978 and is now taking a well- deserved retirement after this season. Each Black Knight on the team made important contributions to a historic State championship, all under the experienced leadership of Coach Haney. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Black Knights. They have made western North Carolina proud.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Sarah Glad in recognition of her life and her service and contributions to the State of North Carolina. North Carolina has lost a friend, an inspiration, and an exemplary public servant. I had the honor of having Sarah serve as my Legislative Assistant while I served in the North Carolina State Senate. Sarah was among the best that North Carolina has to offer. She was the hardest working Legislative Assistant in the General Assembly, oftentimes spending late nights helping constituents, conducting research, and helping to draft legislation. Everybody knew who Sarah was for the way she prioritized the people of North Carolina in everything she did, and for the bright light she brought to every room she walked in. This light was often created by the bright colors she wore, usually pink, but also in her spirit, grace, charm, and mesmerizing smile. Prior to coming to my office, Sarah gallantly served the State of North Carolina from the offices of Governor Pat McCrory and State Treasurer Dale Folwell. After serving alongside me in the State Senate, Sarah joined the Pope Foundation in Raleigh, North Carolina, as a program officer. She helped launch North Carolina's first and only statewide newspaper, the North State Journal, as communications director for the foundation and served the organization as an expert on public interest law and legal studies, higher education, and human services. Sarah lived in Raleigh with her husband, Robbie, her son, Hayes, and their dog, Shep. Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and succumbed to her illness on January 19, 2024. Sarah fought breast cancer with the same charisma and fortitude as she served the people of North Carolina. Despite her battle with cancer, Sarah's optimism never wavered. She continued to be a positive light in the lives of those around her and an admirable servant to the betterment of her North Carolina neighbors. Sarah Glad was a warrior for the people of North Carolina, and a warrior in her fight against breast cancer. I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to an outstanding community member, and to lift her family and friends up in prayers as we mourn her loss. I thank Sarah for her service to North Carolina, and for embodying the true spirit of public service. Her commitment to North Carolina and my time working alongside her will forever be honored and remembered. May she rest in peace.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Henry McGinness, for his work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions he has made to the office this fall. Henry is from Norwalk, Connecticut, and is currently a junior at Georgetown University where he is studying Government. Henry is an avid New York sports fan and grew up attending different sporting events in the city. Interns work with staff to serve constituents in North Carolina's 11th congressional district. Henry was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants and exceeded every expectation with his positive attitude and impressive work ethic. It was a pleasure to work with Henry, and I am so proud to have such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. Henry exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that our nation has to offer. I congratulate Henry on this successful completion of his internship, and on behalf of the people of Western Carolina, I thank him.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my bipartisan co-lead, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross) for his partnership on this act. Building codes regulate new construction and major renovations, setting minimum standards for homes and commercial structures to withstand natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or, in the case of western North Carolina communities, flooding. In 2018, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act brought consistency to the home building industry by establishing the definition of building codes as they relate to hazard mitigation to include the latest two published editions of relevant codes, specifications, and standards. This definition, however, will sunset in October. Left unresolved, FEMA can revert the definition to the single latest edition of codes. My bill, the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2023, will codify the definition to mean the two latest published editions of building codes, which is expected to prevent significant administrative burdens on States and local municipalities responsible for producing hazard mitigation plans, reduce burdensome regulations on trade industries responsible for adapting their techniques to meet new building standards and codes, and to support stabilized building costs that would otherwise be interrupted by frequently changing building codes and rising construction costs. Using the latest two editions of building codes does not jeopardize home resilience and will continue to ensure our communities are prepared for disaster if it ever strikes. Additionally, the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, as amended, establishes a pilot program to fund individual resilient home retrofits with FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, program. In order to increase disaster mitigation among States, it is imperative we expand program flexibility. This expansion includes providing opportunities for individual homeowners to access prehazard mitigation funding to minimize the impact of natural disasters. I thank the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) for her amendment, as reported by the committee, to provide this important flexibility. Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues support this bill, which is important to homebuilders and community members through NC-11 and across the Nation.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Brevard High School boys' cross country team for winning the 2A State championship. This is the second 2A State championship title that this team has won in the last 3 years. The Brevard Blue Devils dominated the championship race with a score of 45 points, scoring well ahead of the runner-up team. The Blue Devils also had three runners finish in the top 10. I congratulate the Blue Devils. Their recent success is a testament to the countless hours of training, hard work, and a genuine passion for athletics and a quest for knowledge. They have each made western North Carolina proud. May the future bring many more years of success as we continue to celebrate the legacy of their exceptional cross country program.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Polk County High School volleyball team for winning the 1-A volleyball State championship for the first time in the school's history. The Polk County Wolverines won last Saturday's championship game in a 3-0 win against Falls Lake Academy. Outside hitter Sophia Overholt, who averaged nearly three kills per set, was named MVP of the State finals. While the Wolverines have no shortage of impressive individual players, their strong bond as a team led them to this historic victory. As Michael Jordan, another great North Carolinian, once said: ``Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.'' Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Wolverines. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors, and I encourage them to continue to strive for excellence on and off the court. They have made western North Carolina proud.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Brevard High School volleyball team for winning the 2A volleyball State championship for North Carolina for the first time in their school's history. The Brevard Blue Devils dominated Saturday's championship game in a 3-0 win against Camden County High School. As a former high school athlete myself, I recognize the sacrifices and dedication that go into making this type of victory happen. Senior and star middle hitter Meleah Foster, with her numerous kills and blocks, was named MVP of the State finals. The Blue Devils have outstanding individual players, but what sets them apart is their unity as a team. Each and every member contributed to this historic victory. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Blue Devils. I wish all of them the very best in their future endeavors and encourage them to continue to strive for excellence on and off the court. They have made western North Carolina proud.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, the United States of America has always been a symbol of peace and freedom and has achieved this stature throughout the world because of the selfless service of our veterans. From those who fought in the Revolutionary War to those serving in harm's way now, our country's armed forces have given up the comforts of home, the company of loved ones, and--for some--even their own lives to secure the blessings of liberty for many in our world. Today, we honor those who served our country as peacekeepers in Lebanon between 1982 and 1984, with courage, honor and valor. It has been just over 40 years, on October 23, 1983, since the deadly bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, where 241 United States Marines, Navy and Army personnel lost their lives to a deadly terrorist bomb. Many consider that horrific episode to be the beginning of America's war on terror and set the precedent for how our country's military approaches conflict in the Middle East. Almost three dozen more lost their lives as part of this mission. We will always remember them. This terrorist attack took the most lives of U.S. military servicemen since the Tet offensive in the Vietnam War and more lives of United States Marines since the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. This act has now faded into the obscurity of textbooks, university lectures and most Americans' memories. The Beirut Veterans of America have a motto: ``The First Duty is to Remember,'' to memorialize those brothers who lost their lives and the families who have endured the last 40 years of sacrifice, separation, anguish and loneliness to keep our world free from the tyranny of bullies, thugs and terrorists. These men ``Came in Peace'' and gave the ultimate price of freedom: their lives. Be it proclaimed that this past October 23 and each one to come is dedicated to honoring and recognizing the memory of these souls who shall never be forgotten.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker pro tempore, I rise today to honor Ms. Kristen Bennett for her invaluable work as a Congressional Intern serving in my Hendersonville office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she made at the office this year. Interns work with staff to serve constituents in North Carolina's 11th Congressional district. Kristen was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants and exceeded every expectation. It was a pleasure to work with Kristen, and I am proud to have such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. Kristen exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that Western North Carolina has to offer. I congratulate her on the successful completion of her internship.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary K. Clark as she celebrated her 102nd birthday on August 9, 2023. Ms. Clark proudly served our country as a World War II Navy Lieutenant. During the war, she worked on a triage group as an operating room nurse stationed in the Pacific Theater. While serving in the Navy she met her loving husband, Edward L. Clark. The couple was married for 65 wonderful years. Ms. Clark now resides in Candler, North Carolina. It is my honor to recognize her today.