Pat Fallon

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Mr. Jeffrey Donald Jewett of Galena, Ohio, who peacefully passed away on January 10, 2024 with his family by his side. Mr. Jewett was born on February 24, 1962, in Columbus, Ohio, to Ron and Barbara Jewett. He began his career in the electric power industry and founded Jewett Electric Company in 1996. Jewett Electric has continued to provide the Galena community with outstanding professional electrical contracting services under Mr. Jewett's leadership. From an early age, Mr. Jewett was an avid athlete and participated in numerous sports, including football, volleyball, and soccer. He was a lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. Mr. Jewett was also fond of classic cars, particularly Corvettes, Chevelles, and Chargers, and he would always stop to admire them. Those who knew Mr. Jewett could testify to his love for animals. Along with his wonderful wife Debra, he rescued several puppies from the streets and provided them with a warm, loving home. His selfless efforts made a difference in their lives and shows his dedication to helping those in need. In his final years, he frequently visited his second home in Florida, where he planned to retire. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and I have no doubt that his life and contributions have made a lasting impact on the world. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our nation's Capitol in recognition of Mr. Jewett's compassionate and fulfilling life. He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. BethAnn Telford of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and present her with the Congressional Patriot Award. BethAnn is a true American fighter and fierce advocate for brain cancer survivors. Since she was young, BethAnn has been involved in numerous sports and other athletic activities. She is most passionate about long-distance running and was inspired to participate in the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent several surgeries that forced her to relearn how to walk and talk. Thankfully, BethAnn made a full recovery and refused to allow cancer to stop her from training and competing. Since then, she has completed numerous Ironman competitions and Boston Marathons, dedicating each mile she runs to a child she knows who has been affected by brain cancer. Furthermore, BethAnn has dedicated herself to supporting brain cancer awareness initiatives. She founded Team BT, a nonprofit organization that has raised over a million dollars for brain cancer research. Through her efforts, our scientific community has moved one step closer to finding a cure for brain cancer. In 2017, BethAnn successfully completed the World Marathon Challenge, which requires competitors to finish 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, becoming one of few people in the world to undergo this amazing feat. For her sportsmanship and participation in this Challenge, she was granted the Peakside Capital Sportsmanship Award. I am proud of the work BethAnn has done to uplift and inspire our community to overcome the most difficult challenges. It is an honor to bestow BethAnn with the Patriot Award for her exceptional service to our Nation. She is a truly extraordinary woman, and I'm confident this will not be the end of her accomplishments.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 89. Stated against:

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Fred Moses of Plano, Texas and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Fred is an outstanding leader who has dedicated himself to faithfully serving our community. As a young man, Fred was passionate about the political process and knew he wanted to play a bigger role in shaping the future of our Nation. Shortly after graduating from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in marketing, he was elected Justice of the Peace in Bridgeport and officiated marriages. Fred later moved to Plano and has remained active in local Republican politics for over 40 years. In 2008, he was elected as the Chairman of the Collin County Republican Party and worked diligently to advance the conservative agenda in North Texas. For his outstanding leadership and service, Fred was awarded the prestigious John McVeigh Award by the Collin County Republican Party. Furthermore, Fred has launched numerous charitable initiatives to benefit our community. Since 1980, he has worked with the Plano Community Forum to provide scholarships for students in need and established scholarship endowment awards at colleges and universities nationwide. He has also supported charitable programs to help eradicate cancer and heart disease. For his work, Fred was awarded the Living Legend Award by Collin County Community College and inducted into the Minority Business Hall of Fame in 2019. Fred is a devoted man of faith and serves as an Associate Minister at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plano, where he also teaches Sunday School. In his free time, Fred enjoys golfing and volunteering with local community organizations. It is an honor to bestow Fred with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to our Nation and the people of North Texas.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fred and Sue Worley of Emory, Texas, and present them with the Congressional Patriot Award. They have dedicated themselves to serving and uplifting our community. Fred and Sue have known each other since elementary school, and they married in 1968. Together, they raised five amazing children. Fred's public service career began in 1973 when he became one of the first certified firefighter paramedics in Hunt County. During his time as a first responder, he spearheaded numerous initiatives to streamline ambulance and fire prevention services for North Texas residents. Thanks to Fred's efforts, our community can count on reliable and robust emergency services today. Furthermore, Fred and Sue have passionately fought for Texas veterans to be honored for their life and service. Through their advocacy, the State of Texas has designated the Staff Sergeant Shawn Henry McNabb Memorial Bridge at Lake Tawakoni. Staff Sergeant McNabb served in the U.S. Army and was tragically killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2009. Fred and Sue were also instrumental in securing the naming of the Mildred McMillan Garrett Memorial Bridge. Mrs. Garrett enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during the Second World War and served as a city councilmember and mayor pro tempore in Rains County. I highly commend Fred and Sue for their commitment to improving the world around them. I am proud to represent such wonderful and distinguished Americans. It is an honor to bestow Fred and Sue with the Patriot Award for their exceptional service to our Nation and the people of North Texas.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, we have myths and then we have facts. Let's go over some myths for a second, particularly when you talk about the border. Myth one I heard was, the GOP doesn't have any solutions and doesn't want to solve this border crisis. We are not just having a crisis anymore. I would say it is a calamity. Then somehow Donald Trump calls, and a bipartisan deal that would solve the border crisis is scuttled; and that H.R. 2, which was the omnibus border security bill, was somehow radical. Let's talk about facts now. First of all, Donald Trump didn't call and scuttle anything. We want to solve this crisis because we took an oath to the Constitution. In solving the crisis, we need a bill that will do that. The so-called bipartisan bill coming out of the Senate no House Republican even had any input on those discussions at all. There were major flaws in that legislation, and there were loopholes. I do agree with the gentleman from Massachusetts--where I was born and raised for my first 22 years--that this is a divided government, and you do need to have some compromise if you want to get anything done on everything. You need to strike a deal that works and gets things done. I understand that we are not going to dictate. We are in no position to. At the same time, you have to have workable solutions and not just things that are political but can solve issues. Let's talk, again, about some inconvenient truths. In the two prior administrations--and I am talking about the Obama and Trump administrations--at this juncture in their Presidencies, there were about 1.7 million illegal border encounters. This administration has seen that number explode to 8 million. There is a problem. There is something fundamentally different now than in the past. The last couple years of the Trump administration, there were three people who were on the terrorist watch list that were apprehended. Last fiscal year it was 169. Chinese nationals, mostly of military age, under the Trump administration's final years, it was about 450 in a given year. That ballooned to 40,000-plus. That is alarming. That is concerning. The cartels have never made more money. They are charging somewhere between $4,000 and $7,000 a head. The folks who are crossing the border illegally represent 170 countries. Fentanyl deaths have doubled. Other than a couple of outlier years in, I think, the year 2000--so for the last 20-plus years--we had never had a month where we had 200,000 illegal border crossings. Under this administration, we have had 20. In December, we had 300,000 illegal crossings. In FY 2017, there were 300,000 all year. There are things fundamentally different and wrong. The border is wide open. Republicans want to solve it because we took a sacred oath to secure the safety of American citizens because if you are not safe, then you are not free. Here are our solutions: Wait in Mexico will reduce this flood by 70 percent. Ask anybody who deals with the border, any expert who is honest. Border walls and other barriers actually work. You find them around the White House, you find them around people's beach houses and mansions in Malibu. Around when we had the State of the Union Address, there was a fence. For 6 months after January 6, there was a fence. Expedited removal, punishing folks who overstay their visas, E- Verify. Those are all workable solutions, that are not radical. The American people are crying for them. If our friends across the aisle don't recognize that, they are going to rue the day come November of this year.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Mrs. Nancy Faye Carlow of Nash, Texas, who peacefully passed away on January 13, 2024. Mrs. Carlow was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Mrs. Carlow was born on April 27, 1944, in Maud, Texas, to H.J. ``Scooter'' and Hazel Smith. From a young age, she was known for being an academically gifted student. In 1962, Mrs. Carlow graduated from Maud High School as the valedictorian. She later received a bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master's degree from East Texas State University. After graduation, Mrs. Carlow briefly taught home economics and worked as an elementary school teacher before becoming a bookkeeper for Dairyland Farms and Texarkana Tractor. Mrs. Carlow was a devoted woman of faith and was a lifetime member of the Maud United Methodist Church. While there, she taught Sunday school and led the Methodist Youth Fellowship church group for ten years. Mrs. Carlow was always a thoughtful woman who sought to put a smile on your face. Along with her husband James, she hosted daily happy hours for friends and loved ones so they could spend quality time together during the pandemic. She also started a weekly tradition of sending flowers to others so that they wouldn't feel alone. You could always count on her to help guide you throughout life and encourage you to do the right thing. Mrs. Carlow's tragic passing leaves behind a legacy of hard work, entrepreneurship, and family values that can never be replaced. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Mrs. Carlow's beautiful and uplifting life. She will be dearly missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Mr. Clarence ``Ogden'' Green of Runaway Bay, Texas, who peacefully passed away on the morning of January 1, 2024. Mr. Green was a loving husband, father. and grandfather. Mr. Green was born on December 23. 1929, in Foster. Oklahoma, to Coleman and Florence Green. His family later moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended Trimble Technical High School. In 1965, Mr. Green graduated from Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon. After graduation, he worked in the construction industry and as a real estate broker until his retirement. Throughout his entire life, Mr. Green was passionate about a variety of sports, fishing, and hunting. He lived an active lifestyle and enjoyed playing football, basketball, baseball, golf, and bowling. Mr. Green was a devoted man of faith and regularly attended The Bay Church in Runaway Bay. He was a gifted craftsman, skillfully carving beautiful wooden birds by hand, and was also known for his landscaping prowess which helped keep his lawn pristine. He enjoyed spending time with his family, including his many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capital in recognition of Mr. Green's wonderful and adventurous life. He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Madam Speaker, how many Democrats or open border caucus members--I apologize for my redundancy there--are willing to house migrants in their own homes, Madam Speaker? None. Zero. Nada. They seem to all be for providing sanctuary, provided they don't have to provide it. Alejandro Mayorkas, under oath, testified before Congress and claimed the border is no less secure than it was previously. Does anyone in this Chamber actually believe that? Does anyone in this country believe that? Let's compare the first 3 years of President Trump's and Biden's tenures: President Trump in his first 3 years, 1.6 million illegal crossings; Joe Biden, 8.3 million, a 519 percent increase. Terror watch list suspects apprehended under Trump were 8 in 3 years; under Joe Biden, 361. That is a 4,512 percent increase. Chinese nationals, men mostly of military age entering illegally, last year under President Trump it was 450, and under Joe Biden it is over 24,000. That is a 5,333 percent increase. No less secure. Is that the new math? Opioid deaths have doubled. The Mexican drug cartels are enjoying record profits. Alejandro Mayorkas fostered this mayhem, and he facilitated cataclysmic chaos. He is inept. He is weak. He is impotent. He has violated Federal law. He has perjured himself in front of Congress. He has lied to the American people. He has undermined his own Border Patrol agents. Mayorkas has shown the world who he is. He is a sheep in sheep's clothing. The cartel wolves and our enemies across the world are circling. This impeachment is richly deserved, and we must fire this bum, this second coming of Benedict Arnold, forthwith.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the wonderful life of Behjat McElroy. Behjat spent her first 22 years in Iran, one of five children. She learned four languages, completed her education, and became a teacher. At 22, she married Massoud Moayedi, and they had their beloved son, Mehrdad. Behjat spent many years as a diplomat, and it was in this role where she met her future husband, Jim McElroy, a dedicated U.S. Air Force helicopter pilot who served two terms in Vietnam. In 1978, Behjat made the courageous decision to leave the Iranian Foreign Ministry and move to the United States. She became an American citizen; raised her son, Mehrdad; and founded several highly successful and thriving businesses. She was a woman ahead of her time and was a fiercely proud and independent person. Behjat loved her family immensely, especially her pride and joy, her two granddaughters, Lilly and Sarah. The most important job any of us could ever have is that of a parent, and Behjat succeeded in this capacity wildly. I know her son, Mehrdad, and he is a fantastic reflection of his mother. He is a faithful friend, a loving and devoted father, and a great American. Behjat's passing is a deep loss for all of us, and she will be sorely missed. On behalf of a grateful Nation, rest in peace, Behjat.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and service of Dr. James Robert ``Bob'' Johnson of Dallas, Texas, who passed away on February 15, 2013. Dr. Johnson made incredible discoveries in the world of astrophysics and used his skills to help protect our national security. Dr. Johnson was born on April 9, 1951, to Congressman Sam Johnson and Shirley Melton Johnson. He attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated with a Ph.D. in Physics in 1979. After graduation, Dr. Johnson served as a research scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona. In this role, he detected an atmosphere on Pluto and water on the dwarf planet Ceres. Dr. Johnson's work helped lay the foundation to expand our scientific knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, and the cosmos. Later in life, he became the Chief Scientist for Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems. In this role, he spearheaded breakthroughs in overhead reconnaissance, intelligence, and image processing. For his advancements in information and intelligence sharing, Dr. Johnson was recognized by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Special Operations Command, and he received many more awards. Dr. Johnson was known in his community for his kindness and integrity. He held a strong passion for teaching and actively sought to help others reach their full potential. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family, designing homes, traveling around the world, and playing his original piano compositions. His published works will certainly continue to be invaluable assets to our scientific community for decades to come. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Dr. Johnson's life and service to our nation. He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Mr. Jerry Gene Turner of Spirit Lake, Iowa, who peacefully passed away on December 15, 2023. Mr. Turner was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Mr. Turner was born on October 2, 1940. in Bauxite, Arkansas to Cecil and Clara Turner. He initially attended Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska in Omaha before graduating from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in 1962 with a degree in Mortuary Science. Throughout college and after graduation, Mr. Turner worked at Cutler Funeral Home in Council Bluffs. In 1965, he acquired a funeral home, now the Turner Funeral Home, to provide mortuary services for residents of Spirit Lake. As a funeral director, Mr. Turner was a beacon of support and well known by those around him for his gentle, caring, and comforting nature during difficult moments. Mr, Turner also served as Secretary of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and was a past member of the Dickinson County Conservation Board. In this capacity, he spearheaded nature conservation efforts in Iowa's Great Lakes region. Mr. Turner was also a devout man of faith, and he served as a trustee, deacon, and Sunday school teacher at the churches he attended. His community involvement extended to his service with Gideons International, a men's organization devoted to strengthening and sharing the Christian faith with others. In his free time, Mr. Turner enjoyed fishing with his grandchildren and was an avid ham radio enthusiast. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our nation's Capitol in recognition of Mr. Turner's life and service to his community. He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Mr. Kyle Preston of Texarkana, Texas, who passed away on November 27, 2023. Mr. Preston was a loving husband, father. and grandfather. Mr. Preston was born on November 28, 1964, in Monticello, Arkansas to Carl and Sandy Preston. He served as a coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Texarkana ISD, and was highly regarded by his students for his generosity and kindness. Those who knew Mr. Preston would say that he never met a stranger. He had an uncanny ability to make you feel as if you had known each other for ages the second you were introduced. Furthermore, Mr. Preston's efforts to train and serve as a role model for his students did not go unnoticed. For his work, the East Texas Coaches Association has established the Kyle Preston Award for Assistant Coaches to honor individuals who have made memorable contributions to school athletic programs. Mr. Preston enjoyed spending time with his six grandchildren and attending sporting events with his family, who describe him as their hero and the best friend that anyone could have. When he had the opportunity, he would volunteer in local community shelters to lend a hand to those in need. Mr. Preston was a devoted man of faith who attended Church on the Rock in Texarkana. Without a doubt. his impact on our community will be felt for many years to come. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Mr. Preston's remarkable and uplifting life. He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Mrs. Doris ``Ellen'' Graham of Canton, Texas, who peacefully passed away on December 12, 2023 with her family by her side. Mrs. Graham was raised in the Dallas area and graduated from Spruce High School in 1969. During high school, she met the love of her life, Mr. Timothy ``Tim'' Aron Graham, whom she married in 1970. Together, they had four children. For most of her career, Mrs. Graham worked for Texas Health and Human Services until she retired in 2015. Mrs. Graham was a wife, mother, and friend to many. In her free time, she enjoyed reading and crocheting. However, her most treasured pastime was spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Mrs. Graham truly made the world a brighter place with her presence, and it is heartbreaking to see our community experience her tragic passing. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Mrs. Graham's life and contributions to North Texas. She will be dearly missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Edward Thomas ``Tom'' Meschko of Whitesboro, Texas, and award him a Congressional Veteran Commendation. Colonel Meschko honorably served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. In 1961, Colonel Meschko applied to the newly built Air Force Academy and was selected to join their seventh class. He trained as a fighter pilot and was stationed at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base and Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam. During his Air Force career, Colonel Meschko participated in 216 combat missions against North Vietnamese forces in the F-100 Super Sabre jet fighter. Furthermore, he was a flight instructor and test pilot for over 36 models of the most advanced aircraft prototypes at the time, including the F-16 fighter aircraft. Using test data gained through Colonel Meschko's experimental flights, the United States was able to transform the F-16 into a modern air superiority fighter that is currently in use by 25 countries. Through his extensive qualifications and expertise, Colonel Meschko became the Deputy Commander of Operations for F-16s located in U.S. bases throughout Europe. His efforts help bolster and strengthen our NATO allies'capabilities to defend against Soviet-led aggression. For his outstanding service, Colonel Meschko received numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning to civilian life, Colonel Meschko worked as a senior engineer for Lockheed Martin and sought to be a test pilot on the prototype F-22 Raptor. As he experienced health complications that affected his ability to fly the F-22, he retired from Lockheed Martin after 10 years and later became the President and CEO of Fightertown Aviation, Inc., and a senior consultant for military contracts. In 2018, Colonel Meschko retired after decades of important contributions to the Air Force and aviation industry. I commend him for his selfless service and sacrifices to defend our great nation. I am honored to represent Colonel Meschko in Texas' 4th Congressional District. It is a pleasure to award him the Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to our Nation and to the people of North Texas.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Warrant Officer 3 Herbert James ``Jim'' Rich of Sulphur Springs, Texas, and award him a Congressional Veteran Commendation. CW3 Rich honorably served in the United States Army during the Gulf War. From a young age, CW3 Rich sought to serve and represent our great nation on the global stage. He began his Army career as a truck driver and finance clerk before successfully completing flight training as a helicopter pilot. Initially, he served as a utility helicopter pilot and operations officer during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm to help stop Iraqi aggression against Kuwait. CW3 Rich later served as a commander of a helicopter company for the National Training Center before becoming a medical evacuation pilot in Alaska. In 1994, he also participated in Joint Indo-Pacific military exercises in Thailand. Without a doubt, his actions helped save many lives. For his meritorious service, CW3 Rich was awarded the Air Medal, Senior Aviation Badge, and several other awards. Atter returning to civilian life, CW3 Rich has continued to make an impact in our community and dedicated himself to public service. He currently volunteers as a fireman and assistant chief in his community. CW3 is also a member of the East Texas Marine Corps League Detachment 1357, in which he works to uplift and support fellow veterans while raising awareness for veterans' issues. I commend CW3 Rich for his selfless service and devotion to assisting those in need. I am honored to represent CW3 Rich in Texas' 4th Congressional district. It is a pleasure to award him the Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to our Nation and to the people of North Texas.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Specialist Kelvin Hicks of Lamar, Texas, and award him a Congressional Veteran Commendation. Specialist Hicks honorably served in the United States Army in the Iraq War and the Global War on Terrorism. Since he was a young man, Specialist Hicks knew he wanted to serve his country and contribute to a greater cause. In 2000, Specialist Hicks Joined the Army and served as an Automated Logistical Specialist at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait, where he was tasked with the management of military equipment and timely deliveries of crucial supplies for our troops. After returning to civilian service, Specialist Hicks has continued to make an impact on his community in many ways. He worked as the Safety and Security Director for Marriott Hotels & Resorts and as a Child Welfare Specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Here, Specialist Hicks devoted much of his time and efforts to supporting a teenager that was placed under his care. Even when faced with overwhelming odds, including homelessness, Specialist Hicks made numerous sacrifices to ensure that his ward's needs are being met. His willingness to put the needs of others above his own is an extraordinary display of courage and selfless service. Specialist Hicks currently serves as the Upward Bound College Prep Program Coordinator at Paris Junior College where he helps students from low-income families pursue postsecondary education. In addition, he is an inspirational speaker and takes opportunities to mentor and advocate for our youth so that they will be successful. Specialist Hicks is a devoted man of faith, and he serves as the Chaplain and Associate Minister at the St. Paul Baptist Church in Paris. I commend Specialist Hicks for his devotion to uplifting and empowering our students. I am honored to represent Specialist Hicks in Texas' 4th Congressional District. It is a pleasure to award him the Congressional Veteran Commendation for his service to our Nation and to the people of North Texas.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 50 years of marriage between Jimmy and Hava McClintock of Heath, Texas. They have made significant contributions to our community and are longtime advocates for the U.S.-Israel alliance. Jimmy is a native Texan, while Hava was born in a small town outside of Tel Aviv. They first met each other in Israel, where they married in 1973. For seven years, they lived in Israel. In 1983, Jimmy and Hava moved to Rockwall, Texas, before settling in Heath. During their many years together, Jimmy and Hava have made it their life's mission to advocate for our shared Judeo-Christian values. Since 1976, they have organized private and congregational tours to Israel. These tours have strengthened the friendship between communities and highlighted Israel's important struggle for peace and security. Furthermore, Jimmy and Hava are board members of their local chapter of the Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), where they provide material support to the IDF and support Israel's right to defend itself. They also serve on the boards of God's Grace International and Netivyah, where they coordinate humanitarian assistance for Holocaust survivors in Israel and those in need. I commend Jimmy and Hava for working diligently to aid those facing difficult circumstances so that they will not be overlooked. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of Jimmy and Hava McClintock's impressive milestone. It is truly wonderful to commemorate their five decades of happiness and joy, and here's to many more. May God Bless them.

Mr. FALLON

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

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment to the DETERRENT Act, a bill that will work toward preventing foreign influence within America's institutions, colleges, and universities by strengthening section 117 of the Higher Education Act. Section 117 requires colleges and universities to report contracts with and gifts from a foreign source that, alone or combined, are valued at $250,000 or more for per calendar year. My amendment will prohibit repeat-offending institutions from obtaining waivers that will allow them to accept donations or gifts from countries or entities of concern. Some countries and entities, like China, pose a particular concern to the United States, and as such, institutions are required under this act to obtain special waivers if they wish to accept donations, gifts, or contracts from them. My amendment simply adds that if an institution fails to comply with this act for 3 years, they are no longer eligible to receive these waivers. It is kind of a ``three strikes and you are out'' deal. Foreign funds can come with strings attached, as we all know, strings that undermine our own national security. Foreign countries can use investment in America's colleges and institutions to disseminate propaganda, steal secrets and research, and, unfortunately, so much more. This is why countries that raise more concern have more supervision over any of their donations or gifts, including waiver requirements. This is really a commonsense amendment. We are not stripping away waivers after the first mistake. We are not even stripping away waivers after the second mistake. If it is the third time, if you neglect this act, this is obviously purposeful and that is when we say, as I mentioned before, three strikes and you are out. You have proven, if you do that, that you lack the transparency and the trust that are required to have these waivers permitted. This amendment is not only about transparency and accountability, but it is also fundamentally about our national security. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of our national security by supporting this amendment. I hope this is bipartisan. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Chair, I think I made my point clear. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer yet another amendment on the DETERRENT Act. It again deals with section 117, which requires colleges and universities to report contracts or gifts that total over $250,000 in a given year. It is, I think, very important because of the nefarious influence that some foreign governments might exert on our youngest and most talented minds. When Secretary DeVos, in 2019, initiated investigations into just 12 universities to ensure compliance with section 117, the Department found that $6.5 billion of previously unreported foreign gifts and contracts were revealed. Despite this demonstrating a clear need for increased investigation and enforcement, the Biden administration's Department of Education refuses to open investigations under section 117 to ensure institutions aren't hiding foreign investments. Think about that for a second: 12 institutions. $6.5 billion of gifts revealed, when they were essentially audited. That is scary. It is unbelievably frightening. The underlying bill does not require institutions to maintain certain information about foreign gifts and contracts, including unredacted versions, which would allow for future investigations, if needed. However, my amendment would change the minimum length of time that they must maintain this information from 4 years to 5 years. It is a step in the right direction. It is really rather minor, 4 to 5 years. The yearlong extension, why this is relevant, is because if we had a potential change in the administrations--regardless that administrations last 4 years at a time--this would be protected with 5 years. If we have a Department of Education that is uninterested or unwilling to investigate potential foreign influences in our institutions, this added extension of that 1 year could become very impactful. This should be, I think, in my humble opinion, a completely bipartisan and noncontroversial amendment. It can go both ways. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have concerns about a future Republican administration, this just adds that extra year of protection. This will also work toward restoring legislative branch relevance, as we see the executive branch continually year over year, regardless of what party is in power at the White House, eat away at our constitutional oversight, and, frankly, authority in powers. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment and in favor of the underlying bill. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Chairman, one of the other reasons why we should hopefully get overwhelming support for this amendment is this--let me give you a quick example. In the final year of President Trump's administration, universities reported $1.6 billion in foreign donations. In the entire first year of the Biden Presidency, that number magically plunged to $4.3 million. I doubt that the actual donations and gifts and such were reduced by 37,200 percent. I think it is merely a case of if section 117 isn't going to be essentially audited, then these universities and other institutions don't feel compelled to follow Federal law. That is another reason why I think extending this from 4 to 5 years is critical. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FALLON

Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the youth sailors of the Rush Creek Yacht Club of Heath, Texas, for their role in rescuing a windsurfer in distress. On July 16, 2021, Bob Cummings was windsurfing on Lake Hubbard near Dallas, Texas, when he lost his foil board in strong winds. Mr. Cummings was stranded in the middle of the lake and located two miles from the nearest shore. He was tired, cold, and anxious about his fate. To his good fortune, youth sailor Leon van Os was sailing on the same lake and spotted Mr. Cummings struggling in the water. Leon quickly notified the rest of his crew and utilized their ``man overboard'' training to rescue Mr. Cummings. In recognition of their efforts, the U.S. Sailing Safety at Sea Committee has awarded the Rush Creek Yacht Club the Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal for the crew's actions. This Medal was established in 1990 to recognize those who have rescued fellow sailors from danger and made significant contributions in improving rescue efforts nationwide. The crew of young heroes includes Leon van Os, Mercedes Porter-Via, Alex Deaton, Genevieve Young, Ian Park, Ally Ravji, and Elizabeth Cleaves. I have requested a United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of each of these individuals for their bravery and heroic action. I thank them for their efforts and may God Bless them all.