Vicky Hartzler

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give recognition to Ken and Sue Molzahn, the owners of the world's largest display of American Revolutionary War-era flags. Recently, I visited their collection in Collins, Missouri, and was able to see over 315 replica flags used by American colonists and their allies from 1764 to 1781. I was very impressed by their extensive collection and their knowledge of the history behind each individual flag. During his high school teaching career, Ken began researching Revolutionary War-era flags and re-creating them for his students. Eventually, Sue, a skilled seamstress, joined his efforts and has contributed hand-sewn, museum-quality replica flags to the collection. Today, Ken and Sue's prominent collection of flags serves as an incredible learning tool and an interactive way of keeping history alive. I greatly appreciate Ken and Sue for taking time to show me their flag collection. It is a unique educational experience that highlights the courage and sacrifice of our first patriots. Honoring Blake Hurst

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend George Cathey for his distinguishing and exemplar service during the Revolutionary War. George Cathey was a volunteer soldier that, like many of our soldiers today, embodied the courage and bravery that is reflected in our American spirit. George Cathey served three times in the Revolutionary War; first as a Private, and later as both a Lieutenant and Captain. He fought in the skirmishes at Big Bear Town, Silver Creek and Ransoms Ford, and later in the battle of Cowpens. When this Nation's freedom was secure, George Cathey was later granted a pension in 1833 while living in Cooper County, Missouri, with his wife Margaret and their ten children. George Cathey later died on December 14, 1840, at age 85. However, his legacy lives on through our enduring freedoms that we still maintain today. As we approach our Nation's 250th Birthday, it is only fitting that we honor those who fought for our freedom. George Cathey is one of those soldiers and today, we honor his legacy of freedom we all enjoy.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Arrington for yielding and for hosting this event and focusing on our need to protect America's communities. With what is happening right now this topic is foremost in everyone's minds, and the need could not be greater. Daily we are shown footage of yet another riot in one of America's great cities. Mobs are destroying property, defacing buildings, breaking out windows of family-owned businesses, and looting the merchandise. Cars are being set on fire, and people are getting hurt. We need safe and secure neighborhoods again. We need law and order to be restored. We need peace to prevail in our hearts, in our families, and in our communities. That is where our peace officers come in. They are the ones who keep the peace. They are the ones who allow our families to live in safety, security, peace and quiet. We need that now. We need them now. They sometimes are called law enforcement officers. That is accurate, but I like another term, peace officers. Because that is what they are. Every year during Police Week, May 15 is designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day to pay tribute to the local, State, and Federal peace officers who have died or who have been disabled in the line of duty. Sadly, I have had a police officer from my district, whose name was added to this memorial. And sadly, many more names are going to be added to the memorial next year, including a selfless peace officer from Missouri named David Dorn. David had served his fellow man preserving the peace for over 38 years. He was a loyal friend, a devoted husband, and a beloved member of the St. Louis community. And on the night of June 2nd he volunteered to help a friend in need who owned a small business, which was in danger of being destroyed by looters and rioters. He didn't want his friend's life's work to be turned into rubble, so he went down to help by sitting in front of the business and, hopefully, discouraging any harm from being done to his friend's business. Tragically, David was fatally shot by violent protestors, and left to die on the sidewalk. His execution was broadcast live on Facebook while his son watched at home. No arrests were made. His killer got away in the thicket of violence and riots. Nothing about this protest was peaceful. There are peaceful protests, and I commend them. There is a national conversation that is worth having to ensure everyone feels safe in our communities, but what we are seeing night after night in many of our cities is not a peaceful protest. It is thugs hijacking a legitimate cause to advance their agenda of personal gain, anarchy, and destruction. And it must end. We must work to bring peace back into our communities by restoring law and order, by valuing our selfless peace officers, and by establishing clear punitive consequences for those who incite violence. We must deter and stop those who incite riots in any capacity, from organizing and promoting a riot to participating or assisting those who do. Those who loot and destroy must be held to account. That is why I am proud to support H.R. 8031, the David Dorn Act of 2020. This bill increases the maximum imprisonment penalty for rioting to 10 years and sets the minimum fine to $1,000. It sends a clear message to rioters that their reckless actions are reprehensible and that we are committed to making sure not a single peace officer faces the same fate as David Dorn. The answer to this mayhem is not to defund our peace officers; it is to defend them and to give them the tools that they need to keep the peace. In the Commitment to America House Republicans announced today, we propose to increase funding by $1.75 billion for better police training, community policing, and more equipment, including 500,000 more body cameras. This is the right way to secure the peace, not by destroying our neighborhoods. Mr. Speaker, I call on all Americans to work together to be peacemakers and restore peace and quiet and security to our neighborhoods and to embrace and defend the values that made America great. Now is our time of decision; now is when we will choose which road we will go on; and now is the time to stand up and to defend what we know is best and true and right and will truly bring security and peace to our neighborhoods.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Missouri's first responders who work selflessly to keep our communities safe. I am tremendously proud and grateful for the Police Officers, Firefighters, and Emergency Medical Professionals who leave their own families and put themselves in harm's way to take care of others. Emergency Dispatchers communicate with terrified victims, frantic witnesses, worried family members and suicidal citizens. They are a calming influence for everyone who calls . . . the reassuring, competent voices in the night that offer peace, assistance, and comfort. On any given day, first responders may be called to rescue someone from a burning building, break-up a vicious assault, settle a family dispute, or simply help a grandparent who has fallen. No matter what the situation demands . . . bravery, diplomacy, initiative, versatility or compassion . . . they provide exactly what is needed in that moment. Just like during tornados and floods, first responders are on the frontlines of today's COVID-19 crisis and they are being put in situations that were unfathomable just a few months ago. EMS workers are struggling to keep up with a dramatic increase in 9-1-1 calls while enduring shortages of protective equipment and frequent exposure to the virus. Police departments are fighting to keep the peace when large numbers of their workforce are in quarantine and morale is challenged by anti-police rhetoric dominating the national discourse. Fire departments are often understaffed, especially in rural areas, but that doesn't stop them from working tirelessly to keep communities safe amid volunteer shortages. And, emergency dispatchers don't have the option to work from home . . . they are managing an increase in call volume while working in close quarters, which prevents social distancing. Missouri's first responders embody the very best of the American spirit. With charity and compassion, these brave men and women regularly put the well-being of others before their own. Through their actions they are heroes . . . through their example they are role models for all of us to emulate. Madam Speaker, the current COVID-19 pandemic has presented Missouri's first responders with seemingly impossible challenges. Despite numerous obstacles, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical professionals and 9-1-1 dispatchers are showing up every day to care for their friends, neighbors, and communities. On behalf of a grateful community, I express my sincere thanks, and pray God blesses them all with peace and safety.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman and the ranking member for including two of my amendments in this bipartisan en bloc package, and I would specifically like to highlight one of my amendments that will provide $5 million for the Department of Defense to utilize community-based, nonprofit, post-traumatic growth organizations for mental health treatment. Suicide prevention is a top priority for the DOD, yet suicides in our military communities continue to rise. While current pharmaceutical and psychotherapy approaches help alleviate some struggles, they fail to address two key elements of resilience: social and spiritual fitness. My amendment provides resources to enable the DOD to employ a variety of pathways for our servicemembers and will allow the Department to leverage the resilience expertise of post-traumatic growth organizations that are seeing so much success. I am excited about this potential. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate their support of this amendment, and I ask everyone to support this package.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this misguided amendment. I am amazed that there are Members of Congress who want to limit the amount of information we receive to make important funding decisions for our national security. Congress has the power of the purse. Congress has the responsibility to make the tough funding decisions. In order to do that, we need the information available. We should not be a rubber stamp for the Pentagon. Contrary to what the amendment's sponsor said, unfunded requirements lists do not increase the size of the military's budget. We, as Members of Congress, must find offsets if we want to fund a requirement on the list. For example, in the budget request, the Air Force made significant cuts to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs. Almost every COCOM unfunded requirements list had ISR capabilities as a critical requirement and operational need. This committee, after conducting careful oversight, made the decision to restore funding for those programs based on the identified needs of our combatant commanders. We did not pull the money out of thin air. We found places in the budget request to cut to support these programs and minimize near-term operational risk. All this amendment does is limit the information Congress receives from the military services, to include the National Guard. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage Members to oppose this amendment.

Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. I am proud it passed unanimously out of committee, and I am grateful it bears the name of a public servant who has fought tirelessly for our men and women in uniform and whose steady, wise leadership has made such a difference. This legislation is a fitting tribute to his enduring legacy. As the ranking member of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, I thank our subcommittee chairman, Donald Norcross, for his strong spirit of bipartisanship. I would also like to thank the subcommittee staff--Jesse Tolleson; Bill Sutey; Heath Bope; Carla Zeppieri; Liz Griffin; and Caroline Kehrli; my personal military legislative director, Chrissi Lee; and Tom Spellman, my military fellow--for their hard work on this legislation. Within the subcommittee's jurisdiction, this bill recommends authorization of over $118 billion in needed modernization funding required for our competitive advantage against strategic peer competitors such as Russia and China. For example, the bill rightfully supports the appropriate mix of fourth- and fifth-generation strike fighters by authorizing funding for 79 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, 12 F-15EX aircraft, and 24 F/A-18 Super Hornets, including additional funding for advanced procurement to help mitigate current Navy strike shortfalls. The bill authorizes the necessary funding to support the Army's big six modernization priorities to include long-range precision fires and future vertical lift, all of which are critical in support of the national defense strategy and for credible deterrence. I am pleased the bill also requires more detailed certifications and justification for decisions relating to retiring critical airborne ISR platforms without a suitable replacement to better manage operational risk to the warfighter. Outside the subcommittee's jurisdiction, I am pleased this bill includes language directing the Department to develop a strategy for the use of chaplains and nonprofit post-traumatic growth organizations as a behavioral healthcare option for our servicemembers and also report analyzing the risk to U.S. servicemembers due to the dependence on China for our troops' pharmaceutical needs. The NDAA has always been and should continue to be a product of bipartisan consensus. Putting our troops first and providing them with the resources, equipment, training, and support they need should always be our top priority as Members of Congress. This is why I have concerns and would oppose any amendment that would effectively cut the defense budget by 10 percent. A cut this size equates to approximately $73 billion, almost twice that of the fiscal year 2013 sequester. We have worked hard over the past several years to repair the damage from sequestration. Now is not the time to go backwards. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michael Keilholz on his years of devotion to the Vocational Agriculture program and its students. Mr. Keilholz retired from Pleasant Hill High School after 31 years of teaching agriculture. Michael Keilholz grew up in the small Catholic community of Frankenstein, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri and graduated in 1989. He had several different jobs before he began teaching at Pleasant Hill High School, where he remained for 26 years. Over the years he oversaw 77 American FFA Degrees, 113 State FFA Degrees, 7 State Stars in either FFA Star Agribusiness, Star Placement or Star Farmer with 1 State Winner in Agribusiness, 1 State FFA 1st Vice President, 85 State Qualifying Teams in Vo-Ag/FFA, 110 State Qualifying Proficiency Awards based upon FFA Leadership and SAE's (4 State Winning Proficiency awards), 14 State Talent, 2 National Talent, 1 National Band, 3 State Band, 25 State Chorus, 7 Student Teachers, 264 District Vo-Ag/FFA Teams, Countless Scrapbook and Record Books displayed at state. In addition, he worked as an instructor for 28 years. Throughout the years he has been recognized for his efforts by being awarded Top 6 Nationally--NAAE (State and Region IV Winner); Two time State Ideas Unlimited Winner, One time Regional Winner, two time National Presenter; 30-Year Service Award, Missouri Ag Teachers; Honorary American FFA Degree, National FFA Organization, 2011; Distinguished Service Award, Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association; Honorary State FFA Degree, Missouri FFA, 1999; Supervised Agricultural Experience Best Practices, National FFA, 1998; Region IV (U.S.) New Vocational Teacher of the Year, American Vocational Association, 1993; New Vocational Teacher, Missouri Vocational Association, 1993; Outstanding Young Member, MVATA, 1993; Outstanding Young Professional, University of Missouri College of Education Alumni Award, 1993; Teaching Ideas--District Winner, 1996; Instructional Materials Lab, Sold Copyright-Crop & Weed Plant ID, 1993. Perhaps the greatest achievement of all is the number of lives Mr. Keilholz has impacted over the years. Thousands of young people have been blessed by his tutelage as they have learned invaluable life lessons taught through agriculture, the leadership opportunities provided through FFA, and the work ethic instilled through student SAE projects. Mr. Keilholz's interest in every student, his encouragement, and personal example of character and commitment will leave a legacy of amazing future leaders in agriculture who will impact our nation and our world. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Michael Keilholz for his hard work and dedication, and I thank him for his years of selfless devotion to agriculture.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, we are at war against an unseen enemy our world has never faced before. We are battling on two fronts: the healthcare front and the economic front. Thousands of people are sick, with courageous healthcare workers battling on the front lines. Meanwhile, millions of Americans have lost their jobs because of the virus, imperiling family budgets and devastating our economy. Today's bill sends needed battle reinforcements to both fronts. It provides funds to purchase more medical supplies and to support our hospitals, while also sending much-needed help to businesses so that they can make payroll and keep the doors open. It sends money directly to almost every household and supports those who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 crisis. Most importantly, it gives this Nation hope: hope that we will get through this by supporting our healthcare workers, enabling businesses to stay open, and sending Americans funds needed to get them through. While this bill is far from perfect and the price tag is sobering, I believe we are in an unprecedented battle, and it is imperative we win this war. I will be voting ``yes,'' and I invite all Americans to join us in this battle.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today to commend the women who have gone before us to celebrate the achievements that women have made and to reaffirm the fact that we are equal in the eyes of God and in law. Women make up 51 percent of the population, comprise over half of the college students, make up most of today's medical and law school students and own the majority of new businesses. Women are not victims in need of validation. Little girls can be whatever they want to be, whether that be an astronaut, a doctor, a full-time mom working at home, or a member of Congress. In addition, Federal law and court precedent uphold our rights. That is something to applaud, and I do. However, today's legislation is problematic on several fronts. First, the resolution is unconstitutional. The time limit to pass the ERA expired decades ago. Congress can't go back and remove a deadline from a previous constitutional amendment initiative. The Supreme Court has recognized that the 1972 ERA expired, and the Department of Justice issued a ruling saying Congress may not revive a proposed amendment after a deadline for its ratification has expired. Pretending that we can remove the time limits for passage is both futile and deceptive. Secondly, if the time limit could be extended, the ERA would not bring women any more rights than they currently have right now, but it would entrench the legality of abortion. We know this from court precedent by listening to those who have the most to gain from constitutionally protecting abortion on demand. In 1998, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the equal rights amendment in their State constitution requires State funding of abortions. Federal courts are likely to do the same. Perhaps that is why every pro-abortion organization is endorsing passage of the ERA. NARAL Pro-Choice America says, ``With its ratification, the ERA would reinforce the constitutional right to abortion.'' The National Organization for Women says, ``An ERA--properly interpreted--could negate the hundreds of laws that have passed restricting access to abortion. . . . `' But that is not the only concern with passing this resolution. Besides being unconstitutional and shredding State and Federal pro-life protections, the ERA would also erase decades of progress which have provided opportunities for women, advance women's progress through Federal programs, and secure necessary protections for women and girls. How? By incorporating gender identity in the definition of sex, jeopardizing private spaces for women, girls' sports programs, and women's educational institutions. The ERA endangers laws, programs, and funding designed to benefit women providing a pathway for legal challenges to welfare programs, grants for battered women's shelters, efforts to bolster women participating in STEM programs, as well as State laws governing child support, alimony, and custody. These outcomes are anything but pro women. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Moniteau County, in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, on the 175th anniversary of its founding. The territory that now makes up Moniteau County was originally part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. It was organized on February 14, 1845, carved out of territory from Cole and Morgan counties. The name of this county, taken from Moniteau Creek, is the French spelling of an Indian word meaning ``spirit of God'' or ``Country of the Great Spirit.'' The county epitomizes its name as evidenced by the many vibrant churches today in the community. Agriculture is our state's leading industry, and Moniteau County is one of our state's leading producers of agricultural goods, known particularly for its beef, ham, and turkey products. Moniteau County is a wonderful place in which to live, work, and raise a family. As this historic anniversary is celebrated, I wish the county and its citizens well and many more years of peace and prosperity.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, last week, our U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents announced the discovery of a highly sophisticated, illegal, 4,309-foot cross-border tunnel from Mexico into California built by the drug cartels. Unfortunately, while the tunnel was first found in August of 2019, it will still take several months to close the tunnel as the agency completes a mandatory environmental review and a lengthy contractor bidding process. In October of 2018, I visited the southern border and heard directly from Customs and Border Patrol agents in Arizona, and I heard a similar story. The process of closing drug tunnels is arduous and time-consuming. It often takes 3 to 4 months to abate this threat. That is unacceptable. Last year, I introduced H.R. 3968, the Eradicate Crossing of Illegal Tunnels Act, to address these problems. This bill expedites the approval process by removing the unnecessary red tape currently preventing our CBP agents from addressing this critical vulnerability. It allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive the environmental review and for indefinite contracts to be secured so drug tunnels can be filled in a timely manner. We need to ensure our Border Patrol agents have the tools necessary to efficiently and effectively remove illegal access into our country, hurting our community with illegal drugs. It is time to pass this crucial legislation, and I call on my colleagues to support my bill.

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, it is with great joy that I share news of Morris Burger, former president and CEO of Burgers' Smokehouse of California, Missouri, being inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame. After serving his country in the Army, Morris returned home to run the family business with the goal of producing the finest cured ham in the country. The business was extremely successful and expanded numerous times over recent decades to the point that its business orders now exceed 500,000 hams and tens of thousands of pounds of bacon, sausage, and specialty meats each year. Morris retired in the 1990s, and the business is now run by the third and fourth generations of Burger family members. Morris Burger has left a legacy to be proud of as Burgers' Smokehouse continues to epitomize quality, taste, and innovation, while playing an active role in the community and remaining an influential leader in the industry. Congratulations, Morris Burger, for being inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor. Stop Drug Smuggling By Filling the Tunnels ASAP

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, the prestigious Milken Educator Awards have been called the Oscars of teaching. I rise today to pay tribute to a resident of Missouri's Fourth District who was recently honored as one of the Milken Family Foundation's outstanding educators. Melissa Fike of Oakland Middle School of Columbia, Missouri, has taught for 14 years and was not told ahead of time about her award. She was shocked to hear her name announced during a recent school assembly packed by Oakland Middle School students and staff. As a winner, she receives an award, the recognition of her colleagues, and a check for $25,000. Teachers make an indelible mark on the lives of young people through their kind words, encouraging smiles, impartation of knowledge, or by helping plant a seed that bears fruit in future years. Melissa Fike has distinguished herself and made an impact that will be felt for years to come. Madam Speaker, I want to commend Melissa Fike on her great work making a difference in the lives of so many young people and congratulate her on this prestigious award. Recognizing Morris Burger, Former President and CEO of Burgers' Smokehouse

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the Cole-McCarthy amendment that would ensure the President can protect the United States and our ally, Israel.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, a year ago I stood on the House floor to pay tribute to the Central Methodist University Eagles Men's Soccer Team of Fayette, Missouri--located in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District--for winning the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. I have the distinct honor of sharing with you the news of a truly outstanding accomplishment: the Eagles have won the NAIA Men's Soccer Championship for a second consecutive year. Head Coad Alex Nichols and the Eagles defeated Hastings College of Nebraska 3-1 in the championship finale in Irvine, California. The win capped a 25-1 season for the Eagles as they set school records for most wins in a season and fewest losses in a season. This second-straight soccer national championship is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and determination that defines this team's work ethic. Congratulations to the Central Methodist University Eagles--Missouri's two-time national champs.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, Americans from all walks of life suffer because of rising healthcare costs. It is a problem that impacts everyone. H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act starts addressing this. This bill fosters competition, lowers the cost of medication, and spurs innovation, allowing more generic drugs to come into the market. One way it does this is by preventing drug companies from unfairly keeping generic equivalents from people who need them. H.R. 19 also caps prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries and includes a smoothing out mechanism allowing seniors to distribute their out-of-pocket expenses throughout the year. That is why I cosponsored H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, to take the first step towards making healthcare affordable. It includes nearly 50 reforms supported by both parties, and it provides real healthcare solutions. Madam Speaker, I urge Speaker Pelosi to bring this bill to a vote, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, this week represented the best of times and the worst of times. Yesterday displayed the worst of times by impeaching the President for political reasons and reversing the will of 63 million Americans. Today, however, represents the best of times by finally voting to approve the USMCA. This historic agreement, which has been held up by Speaker Pelosi for over a year, will bring 176,000 new jobs and spur $68 billion in new economic activity. It removes trade barriers for our ag products, creating new markets for our farmers and helping rural America as a result. Encouragingly, the auto industry will benefit as well. Just last week, General Motors announced that it would be investing over $1 billion in a truck plant in my home State of Missouri due to the USMCA. This agreement moves our relationship with Mexico and Canada into the 21st century, and will benefit the American farmer, the American worker, and the American consumer. I applaud President Trump for delivering on this historic trade agreement. I look forward to voting ``yes'' on the USMCA and bringing more jobs to our great country.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, due to official travel on Monday, December 9, 2019, I was unable to sign the conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. As a core conferee, had I been present, I would have signed the conference report.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report to accompany S. 1790, the 59th consecutive National Defense Authorization Act. With a new top line of $739 billion, plus another $5.3 billion in emergency authorizations, I believe this conference report now represents a good bipartisan compromise that we all should support because it provides for our common defense and addresses the priorities required by our men and women in uniform. This bill will continue the progress we have made in rebuilding military readiness while also setting the right conditions through oversight to accelerate needed modernization capabilities required for the national defense strategy and credible deterrents. A few examples of these critical capabilities include funding for eight F-15EX aircraft, an additional $1.4 billion for F-35 fifth- generation Joint Strike Fighters, funding for 24 F-18 Super Hornets, strong support for the Army's identified Big 6 modernization priorities, and an additional $265 million for National Guard and Reserve Component equipment modernization. I am also pleased the bill includes a provision to ensure servicemembers forced to move from any type of military housing, including dormitories, receive a partial dislocation allowance. This fixes a gap that previously prohibited our lowest paid servicemembers from receiving this assistance. I thank Ranking Member Thornberry for his leadership and guidance throughout this entire process, as well as our subcommittee chairman, Donald Norcross, for his leadership and spirit of bipartisan. This conference report also wouldn't be possible without the hard work and dedication of the entire subcommittee staff. The NDAA has always been a product of bipartisan consensus, and I am pleased that we were successful in reaching that level of consensus again. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill and vote ``yes'' on S. 1790.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, on Monday, December 9, 2019, I was unable to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: on roll call no. 655: YEA, and on roll call no. 656: YEA.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. It is great to be here tonight. I just came from the Library of Congress, and there are a lot of books there, but there is one book in particular that is there, and it is in the homes of many American families right now that I would call the most dangerous book in the world. It is a book that people are being put in prison for just having possession of. It is a crime in many nations for people to own this book, to read this book. There are thousands and thousands of people in prison right now in other parts of the world who are being tortured and killed because they possess this book. I was reading earlier today about a country where there are people in prison who have friends who tear this book up into little pieces, and they smuggle it into the prison. And that person takes them, and they piece together those pages so that they can not only read this book, but they can memorize it. Because as one of the prisoners said: ``Even though they can take the paper away, they can't take away what's hidden in your heart.'' And there is another story from another country where parents, if they have the privilege of getting one of these books, it is so precious they read it at night to their families and then they hide it. But the schools and the government trick their children in playing a hide-and-seek game, and they trick the children into telling their teachers if their parents have that book and where it is. And they are given candy if they win this ``game,'' and then, sadly, they realize their parents are taken away to prison camps as a result of that. So what is this book that I think is really one of the most dangerous books in the world? It is the Bible. It is the Bible. It is what we are commemorating this week. But why is it so dangerous? Why are governments around the world so threatened by it? It is because it is the Word of God. I will say that again: The Bible is the Word of God. Now, that seems radical. I mean, some people would view that as radical, but people who have read this book, whose lives have been transformed by it, who have experienced the power of it, who have been set free from difficulties in their life and the chains of either sin or the chains of bondage of a government that is trying to oppress them will tell you it is the most precious book in the world. And that is why governments fear it, and that is why people seek it, and that is why everyone should take advantage--especially in America--of reading it. That is why it is such a popular book. By far, it is the world's most popular book. There is no other book, fact or fiction, which comes close. Most estimates place the number of Bibles printed each year at 100 million. Mr. Speaker, 20 million Bibles are sold each year in the United States alone. The American Bible Society estimates that 9 out of 10 American households--or almost 9--87 percent of American households own a Bible. In fact, they say the average American family owns three Bibles. My question tonight to all of us is: Are we reading it? Having a Bible and not reading it would be just like being frustrated that you need to go somewhere and having a car in the garage but just not taking it out, or complaining about the room is so dark when you just don't go over and turn the light switch on, or having no idea how to go somewhere when you can just turn on your Google Maps on your phone. The Bible is the source of help; it is the source of power; and it is the source of direction in our lives--and it is right there in our homes, too many times, sadly, gathering dust. In my own life, I started off going to church with my parents as a child, but I never read the Bible myself. It was something, we used it on Sunday, and the pastor would share a verse or two, and that was it. And then I went to camp when I was 13. It was a Youth for Christ Camp. I learned that we could read the Bible ourselves and how powerful it is to, every day, start your day off reading from God's Word, talking to Him through prayer, listening to Him through prayer, and getting inspiration and guidance for your life. And it was a revolutionary idea, so I started doing that when I was 13, continued that through my teenage years to the present. And I can't tell you what a difference that has made in my life. Day after day, I would pick up the Bible to read, maybe 15 minutes before the schoolbus came, and what I read that day would be something that later on, a couple hours later, I would face at school. Whether it would be something dealing with one of my classmates or a hard test or being sick, it doesn't matter. They say the Bible is living and active, and it really is. That is one thing that makes it so special, because it is very, very powerful. There have been many instances in my life where the Bible has made a difference for me. But I want to certainly say the most important verse is not just because it is the word of God; it is because it points me to how I can have a personal relationship with him. And that is John 3:16. I don't know about you, but I love football. Many times when you watch a football game, somebody is holding up a poster that says, ``John 3:16.'' I hope you go and read what that says because it is so powerful. It says, ``For God so loved the world.'' That is what makes this different than other religions. God is a god of love, and because He loved the world, He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. It goes on and says, ``For God did not send his Son to condemn the world but to save the world through him.'' I believed that when I was 9 years old, and I am so thankful to have the privilege of knowing God and that God has made a way for each one of us to know that. I would, this week, encourage all of us to get our Bible off that shelf, dust it off, open it up, and experience knowing God, hearing from Him, and receiving the hope, healing, and help that only God can provide.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of November as National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Month. Throughout the month, there are dozens of events and activities all across our country that highlight the critical role of these mighty warships in the past, present, and future of our national defense. I am proud to join in the celebration of National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Month to honor the value, accomplishments, and contributions of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, their air wings, and most importantly the men and women who serve aboard them. The designation of November as the month of the year for National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier month is certainly no accident. In fact, November is full of historic milestones in the technological development of the modern nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the contributions these ships have made to our country. For example, naval aviation was born when Eugene Ely launched from the deck of a U.S. Navy ship in a Curtiss Model D aircraft on November 14, 1910, some 109 years ago this month. There are other examples of key naval aviation events occurring during the month of November as well, such as the commissioning of the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (the USS Enterprise--CVN 65) in November 1961, the christening of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in November 2013, and the first arrested landing of the 5th Generation F-35C Lightning II aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in November 2014. While not in the month of November, I am nonetheless looking forward to the christening of CVN 79 John F. Kennedy next month in Virginia as the second ship of the Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers begins her march toward commissioning. Madam Speaker, naval aviation and our fleet of aircraft carriers have a rich tradition of service to our nation. Like other components of our national defense enterprise, aircraft carriers are produced by a nationwide team of more than 2,000 small, mid-sized and large businesses from 46 states, and 279 congressional districts which contribute parts, services, and support to the construction and maintenance of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. In fact, over the past five years, this supply chain has performed more than $4.1 billion worth of work for the aircraft carrier program. Missouri is certainly a key component of this industrial base and I am proud to represent my constituents in Missouri who love our country and our Navy. I am also proud that my state helps to produce the F/A-18 Super Hornet in St. Louis--an aircraft which our carrier air wings are flying more than any other carrier-based aircraft on the flight decks of our nation's 11 aircraft carriers. The Super Hornet is an absolutely integral component of today's carrier air wing, and the combination of the air wings and aircraft carriers in our fleet is a bedrock of our Navy's ability to defend freedom, project power, and protect our national security. In closing, I am proud to support our Navy, naval aviation, and the men and women that serve our nation tirelessly across the nation and around the world.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ozark Organic Feeds and founder Rodney Kropf for the completion of their new $13 million expansion project. Rodney was able to use savings from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to expand his feed operation, investing an additional $10 million into the new project. As a poultry farmer for over 36 years, Rodney knows a thing or two about hard work. Ozark Organic Feeds was incorporated in Dallas County a little more than a decade ago. Today the new 10,000 square foot facility includes four storage bins that hold over 700,000 bushels of grain. Ozark Organic Feeds uses state-of-the-art technology to produce precision organic animal feed blends for 2.5 million hens throughout the United States. Output from their new plant operations is now yielding 2,400 tons of grain a week, enough to fill 100 to 110 semi- trucks. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Rodney Kropf for his hard work and hope my colleagues will recognize that tax cuts lead to economic growth.

Mrs. HARTZLER

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in defense of my constituents who deserve action on issues that will improve their lives and strengthen our Nation. However, instead of focusing on bipartisan solutions, House leadership is focusing on partisan antics to impeach the President. On November 8, 2016, nearly 138 million Americans cast their votes to decide the occupant of the White House. Now these voters are being disenfranchised by Washington Democrats who seek to nullify the election results. They are using any means necessary to remove the President because they cannot beat him at the ballot box. Now, the latest attack is the deployment of a costly and partisan impeachment process. Madam Speaker, I was elected to represent the great people of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, and they have spoken. They want Congress to work on everyday issues, such as the rising cost of healthcare, crumbling roads and bridges, and an opportunity to increase trade by passing USMCA. Madam Speaker, let's get back to work.