Chuck Fleischmann

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Delmus Bruce of Pioneer, Tennessee, and recognize a lifetime of service to his community. In his career, Rev. Bruce has officiated more than 200 weddings, presided over 657 funerals, has baptized 1,252 congregants, and has delivered an astonishing 7,010 sermons. Rev. Bruce has also overseen the construction of a new church in 1985 and additional physical growth of the church to include a fellowship hall and a family life center. As pastor of the Stanfield Church of God, Rev. Bruce has traveled to the Holy Land twice, traveled to Egypt, and has traveled to Hawaii in mission service to the Church of God. In his own community, Rev. Bruce has served as a pillar of faith for more than fifty years. Rev. Bruce married the love of his life, Mrs. Rose Baird Bruce, on April 19, 1958, and they have been happily married for 63 wonderful years. Their family spans four generations and includes three children, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. I am privileged to recognize Rev. Bruce for his many years of distinguished service and dedication.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Maxine O'Dell Gernert of Athens, Tennessee and recognize a lifetime of service to her community and our nation. Dr. Gernert retires from my Congressional staff today. Dr. Gernert obtained a BS in Education from the University of Tennessee and subsequently earned a Masters of Divinity from the Church of God School of Theology and a Doctorate of Ministries from Columbia Theological Seminary. Dr. Gernert is an ordained minister, has taught at Lee University, and has spoken internationally for chaplain training. She performed Clinical Pastoral Education training in hospitals and was interim director and chaplain for the Serenity Women's Shelter in Knoxville, TN. Maxine has been married to Dr. John N. Gernert for over 50 years, and the two have three children and seven grandchildren. Maxine has been a pillar of public life in East Tennessee for over 30 years. She served as the Area 2 President for the National Federation of Republican Women and as Chairman for the McMinn County Republican Party for two terms. Dr. Gernert was recognized as the Tennessee GOP Stateman of the Year for District 2 in 2005 and received the Lincoln Award from the McMinn County Republican Party in 2016. She was awarded the Extraordinary Leaders prize from the American Association of Physician Specialties in 2017. For the past twelve years, Maxine has worked as Field Representative, first in Tennessee's Second Congressional District for Congressman Jimmy Duncan, and since 2013 on my staff in Tennessee's Third Congressional District. In this role, she has tirelessly served our great East Tennessee community helping countless individuals by providing constituent services. Dr. Maxine Gernert has been an asset to East Tennessee and to me. Always positive and assertive, she has had a tremendous impact on all those fortunate enough to know her. I will treasure my time spent with Maxine and know we will continue to cross paths in the many ways she remains engaged in our communities. I wish her all the best in a well- deserved retirement. God bless Maxine.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 2088, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act. The great State of Tennessee, my home State, gets its name from the historic Overhill Cherokee village site called Tanasi located in present-day Monroe County, Tennessee. Tanasi served as the capital of the Cherokee people from as early as 1721. Unfortunately, as a result of misguided Federal policies, the Cherokee people were forcibly removed from their homes in Tennessee and surrounding States. This tragic period in American history led to the Trail of Tears, a journey on which the United States forcibly marched 15,000 Cherokees to the Indian territory. My bill, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act, returns important historical sites back to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Tribal Nation comprised of descendants of those Cherokees who resisted removal in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is on these same lands where the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have for decades honored the birthplace of Sequoyah, whose likeness we have all had the opportunity to pass as we make our way from the rotunda of our Capitol to this House floor. H.R. 2088 would return 76.1 acres of TVA land back to the Eastern Band of Cherokees in trust and grant two permanent easements over TVA property to be held in trust for the Tribe for creating recreational trails between the sites. The Tribe is committed to improving the educational resources of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and to providing a means for economic development for the local community through cultural tourism. The Cherokee Nation has a rich history in the Third District of Tennessee, and I am grateful to be engaged in the process to safeguard their story. This exact piece of legislation has easily passed the House with broad bipartisan support for the last two Congresses. I strongly urge Members of the United States Senate to understand the importance of Cherokee Tribal land preservation and to support H.R. 2088 so that it may be brought to President Biden's desk in an accelerated manner. November serves as Indigenous People's Month, and I encourage all of my colleagues in both Chambers to join in passing this momentous piece of legislation.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today on this very important issue that is near and dear to my heart and ought to be near and dear to the heart of this body and the United States of America. I think the Democratic majority made a horrific mistake this week in stripping out Iron Dome funding from the NDAA bill. I was shocked. I was shocked because I grew up in a country that, despite being a Republican--and I am a strong Republican; my mother was a strong Democrat, my father was a strong Republican--support for Israel, our beloved ally, our democratic ally, our only really, really reliable ally in the Middle East was stripped out of that bill. This was a defensive mechanism. This is a system, Mr. Speaker, that keeps missiles from coming in and killing innocent men, women, and children who live in fear. Never let an Israeli live in fear from terrorism again; a defensive mechanism, a defensive system. So today I do applaud the Democrats for finally standing up and admitting their mistake with this bill that is unnecessary in this format but has become necessary because it was stripped out of the major NDAA bill. So I will be strongly supporting this bill, this billion dollars for a defensive system, but more importantly today before I reserve the balance of my time, let me say that as an American, as a Republican, as a servant in this House, the United States of America must state its unequivocal support for the State of Israel. Israel has gone through a tumultuous history since its founding. The United States has stood with Israel. We will stand with Israel today on this important bill. We will fund the Iron Dome, and we will always protect the Israeli people from terrorism wherever it comes from. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers and would be ready to close when appropriate. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as necessary to respond to this comment. Mr. Speaker, the truth has finally come out on the floor of the House of the United States of America. I heard some of my Democratic colleagues: Stand with me, with Israel, with our ally, to fight terrorism with a defensive weapon system. And what did we just hear? We heard the Democratic Party speak out. We heard, right now, from my colleague across the aisle with a shocking statement. She opposes this because they have a vocal minority in the majority party that is anti-Israel, that is anti-Semitic. And as Americans, we can never stand for that. I grew up with Holocaust survivors. I grew up with children of Holocaust survivors. Israel has been attacked and attacked and attacked since its inception. As Americans, I beseech you, I reach out to the majority, and I say condemn what we just heard on the floor. Condemn terrorism. This is a defensive weapon system. Stop playing your procedural games. I hear recommit. It was a motion to recommit. You just saw something on this floor I thought I would never see, not only as a Member of this House, but as an American. Let us stand with Israel. Let's combat anti-Semitism wherever it is in the world, whether it is in the United States, whether it is from terrorism. I am shocked with what I just heard. I ask the majority to condemn the comments that were just made by their Member. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the Republican minority whip.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, today we have had yet another heated debate in the people's House in the greatest, freest Nation in the world. The United States of America is a beacon of freedom. In my 10-year tenure in Congress, I have spoken with world leaders in Israel, in the Middle East, in Europe, across the globe. The world looks to the United States for leadership and for freedom. Our great ally in the Middle East, Israel, has been threatened. Its citizens have been threatened since its inception, and that is wrong. I associate myself partially with the remarks of the majority leader when he said we need to pass this bill today; and we do. We need to give Israel and the Israeli people the capability to continue to defend themselves against what are terrorist attacks on its people. Over 4,000 rockets directed by terrorists, supported by countries such as Iran and others, who wish to seek destruction of Israel. As Americans, we can never allow that to happen. As human beings, we can never allow that to happen. And we need to be heard, that beacon of freedom in the United States of America, all over the world in our defense of Israel because other countries have let them down. Today, we will not let Israel down. We will pass this bill. And to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who once had a great Democratic Party, like the great Republican Party in our great two- party system, stand up, stand up and fight anti-Semitism wherever its ugly head is raised. It is the right thing to do. We will do it with our vote today. But we heard from someone from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib); we heard from their radical left wing that does not support Israel, that does not support the Jewish people. It does not support their right, their inherent right to exist. Let us, as Americans, make our resolve now, today, and forever in our great Republic to protect the people of Israel. Let's pass this bill, and let's associate our comments, as Americans, with those who will always stand up and fight anti-Semitism, racism, sexism, and every wrong-ism that exists. That is our great America. That is our great Republic. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Technical Sergeant Charles H. Coolidge of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, and recognize a lifetime of service to our Nation. Sergeant Coolidge passed away on April 6, 2022. Sergeant Coolidge was the second-to-last surviving Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from World War II and was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the European theater. Born on August 4, 1921, Sergeant Coolidge is a national hero. During the period of October 24 through October 27, 1944, Sergeant Coolidge led a valiant repulsion of German infantry and tank units near the French town of Belmont-sur-Buttant. Prior to that, he had received the Silver Star for valiant combat in Italy. Sergeant Coolidge's place in American history deserves the great acclaim bestowed on him then with the Medal of Honor, and now. He is truly an American hero and will be greatly missed.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Before I begin, I wish to convey my warm thoughts and sentiments to Mrs. Lowey from New York, who is chairman of this committee. It has been a privilege to work with you for almost a decade in my capacity, and I wish you the best in your future. And I thank you for your service to this great House. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I rise in support of the bill we have before us, which is the result of months of negotiations on how best to manage our government's resources in fiscal year 2021 and respond to the COVID pandemic that has gripped so many of our communities. Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, I thank my full committee leader, Ms. Granger, for her great leadership in pulling this omnibus together. I also thank Subcommittee Chairwoman Ms. Roybal-Allard from California, along with Senators Capito and Tester across the hall, for their work and comity in resolving these difficult and challenging issues. It is a pleasure to have served with Chairwoman Roybal-Allard in this role. Mr. Speaker, I think we have a very balanced agreement. We continue to provide $1.375 billion for border security and funds flexibility for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to respond to detention needs. Further, we have significant investments in many of our Nation's security components, including the great United States Coast Guard, cybersecurity and infrastructure, and FEMA grants to our States and localities to respond to disasters. Further, the bill before us eliminates the riders and policy provisions contained in the House-reported bill that would have inhibited the Department of Homeland Security from fulfilling its law enforcement responsibilities at our borders and in the interior of our country. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this package. It is time for the fiscal year to get underway. Mr. Speaker, I wish all a happy and healthy new year.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Joe Lenhard of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and recognize his lifetime of service in his community and to our nation. Mr. Lenhard passed away on July 17, 2020. Born on June 18, 1929 outside of Detroit, Mr. Lenhard graduated from East Detroit High School in 1947 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He came to Oak Ridge in 1957 for summer training and stayed in the city for the rest of his life. Mr. Lenhard served at the U.S. Department of Energy for 32-years, from 1957 to 1982 and for the last 15-years of his employment, he was responsible for all research and development activities within Oak Ridge Operations. During his career with the DOE, Mr. Lenhard received numerous federal awards for his work at the Department's Oak Ridge Operations. After his retirement in 1989 with 35-years of federal service, he was an active member of the local community serving as the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce president in 1992 and chair of the East- Tennessee Economic Council in 1993 and 1994. He also in 1994, helped to found CROET which helps to find ways to reuse former federal assets such as property and equipment. Beyond his service to Oak Ridge, Mr. Lenhard was a generous benefactor to the University of Tennessee and Roane State Community College, and often shared his memories and history of Oak Ridge with local reporters and members of the community. Joe Lenhard was a great patriot and a dedicated servant to his nation and community. East-Tennessee and the City of Oak Ridge have lost a great man, and I am honored to join with countless others to remember and honor a true American patriot.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Clinton Elmer Riddle of Sweetwater, Tennessee and recognize his lifetime of service in his community and to our nation. Reverend Riddle passed on December 3, 2019. Born on February 24, 1921 in Sweetwater, Reverend Riddle is a hometown hero. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in May of 1941. At the age of 21, Clinton Riddle joined the U.S. Army and during World War II he served in Company B--325th Glider Infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division. During his more than 30 months of service in Europe and Africa during the war, Reverend Riddle served with honor and distinction. On June 6, 1944 he survived a crash landing of his ``canvass coffin'' troop-carrying glider behind enemy lines in Normandy during the D-Day invasion and fought with his unit in the Battle of the Bulge. In all, his unit sustained over 400 days under fire during his time with the B 325th. Reverend Riddle wedded Blanch Bernice Montooth in 1949 and they would remain married for more than 60 years until her passing in 2010, having reared three children. He pastored four churches including the New Bethany Baptist Church, Murray's Baptist Church, Cedar Valley Baptist Church, and Union McMinn Baptist Church. He also served as the interim pastor for several other area churches. Beyond his service in the ministry, Reverend Riddle was an active member of his beloved community. He was a member of Sweetwater Valley Odd Fellows Lodge 280, Monroe County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5156, American Legion Post 106, and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Reverend Riddle often shared his experiences and memories speaking with classrooms of children in local schools. Before his passing the City of Sweetwater honored Reverend Riddle, proclaiming February 24, 2019 as Clinton Riddle Day.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Speaker, the mission of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps is to develop citizens of character who are dedicated to serving their nation and community. Clinton High School AFJROTC did it in spades, and superbly. Clinton High TN 2011-1 is in its 9th year of existence; the program consists of 107 cadets; 58 percent of the school students are on free/ reduced cost lunch, and 2019 through 2020 has been a year of accolades, achievements, and superlatives. As of the coronavirus pandemic shutdown in mid-March, Clinton High TN 2011-1 had accumulated 565 Community Service Hours and 608 Leadership Development Hours. In addition, Cadets Dylan Montgomery and Dylan Butler both earned the Boy Scout Eagle award which also included extensive community service projects. Clinton High TN 2011-1 has also displayed excellence in scholarship. Their academic team made the semi-finals for the Joint Leadership Academic Bowl for the third year in a row. Five of the top eight graduating seniors were AFJROTC cadets. Cadet Dylan Butler graduated third out of 300 and received a 4-year AFROTC scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the state university system's flagship school. Cadet Kaylee Puleo graduated fourth out of 300 and received an appointment to the US Military Academy at West Point. Cadet Dylan Montgomery graduated fifth out of 300 and received a 4-year scholarship to The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. Cadet Travis Vaugh graduated seventh out of 300 and was selected for the Nuclear Navy's submarine career track based on his GPA and ASVAP scores. Cadet Summer Sieber graduated eighth out of 300 and received a 4-year scholarship to The University of Tennessee at Knoxville's Tickle College of Engineering. Clinton High TN 2011-1 has also shown excellence in leadership, with two cadets sitting on the Principal's Student Action Leadership Team and two cadets representing Clinton High School on the Anderson County School Board. Clinton High TN 2011-1 also showed excellence in drill and ceremonies at the Daniel Boone Drill Meet. They received the outstanding unit, Esprit de Corps, award, the color guard received third place, received third place in the All-Freshman Team unit inspection, and Cadet Dylan Butler came in second place for the individual knockout. Finally, Clinton High TN 2011-1 has shown excellence in orienteering by coming in third place during the Anderson County High Orienteering Competition. Clinton High School AFJROTC 2011-1 makes a difference. In spite of growing up in challenging economic, family, and educational backgrounds, they exemplify the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps' mission to develop citizens of character who are dedicated to serving their nation and community; personify the Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do, and merit selection as the Air Force Association AFJROTC Unit of the Year for 2020.