Richard Hudson

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Nancy L. Kutulas as she retires after 36 years of dedicated service as a Department of the Army Civil Librarian. There is a reverence that comes with the humble and steadfast service Ms. Kutulas has shown our country over nearly four decades. As one commander at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School eloquently put it when summing up her career, there is ``no better example of the quiet professional and devoted civil servant'' than Nancy Kutulas. While Ms. Kutulas has served in many prestigious posts over the years, she spent the vast majority of it at the epicenter of the universe, Fort Bragg, located in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. And throughout her career, Ms. Kutulas has time and again been recognized for her hard work and dedication. In fact, last year she was named the United States Army Special Operations Command Unsung Hero of the Year. One example of her tenacity and resourcefulness was recently exhibited when she provided a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) with vital information on a newly-operational weapon system that arrived before the soldiers had been trained how to use it. Ms. Kutulas sprang into action, tracking down the necessary information and dispatching the necessary experts to train the soldiers to successfully deploy the new system--all while under heavy enemy fire. Without her quick actions, who knows how things may have ended for the soldiers. I wish Ms. Kutulas a long and happy retirement, and I know I speak for countless service members and their families when I say she will be forever missed. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Ms. Kutulas for her 36 years of dedicated service.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 44, and YEA on Roll Call No. 45.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 35.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chris Metzger, the 2018 U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach from Pinecrest High School in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. Chris has served as the head football coach for the last 11 years and has had a tremendous impact on the football program and community. Pinecrest High School and the football program are pillars in the community that borders Fort Bragg. When he started, the program was struggling to compete and most students were not academically eligible to play. Today, the team has 84 wins and his players are successful on and off the field. Coach Metzger is a man of high character and sees the positive in people. He has instilled a sense of pride in his players and pushed them to be men of perseverance, hard work, and determination. He has encouraged them to recognize their blessings and give back to the community. U.S. Cellular awarded Coach Metzger and Pinecrest High School with a $50,000 school grant and a Samsung technology package for the school. Coach Metzger was nominated by people in the community and chosen by a panel of judges including Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb and WNBA All-Star Maya Moore. Madam Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Coach Chris Metzger on receiving the 2018 U.S. Cellular Most Valuable Coach Award.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 436

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained due to the inclement weather in North Carolina and missed votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 426, and YEA on Roll Call No. 427.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be recognized and to be here today to honor my dear friend, Parker Poling, as she leaves Congressman Patrick McHenry's leadership office to take over as executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Parker has been a friend, a mentor, and a counselor to me and countless others over the years, none more significantly than Patrick McHenry. It has been a real pleasure to watch him evolve and develop as a legislator under her very good tutelage. We met when we were both chiefs of staff, me coming to Washington out of North Carolina, and Parker starting out as chief of staff for one of my best friends, Patrick McHenry. Parker is intelligent; she is poised; she is wise beyond her years; and she is a heck of a great person. She is just a pleasure to spend time with. She has helped me more times than I can count over the years, including when I decided to run for Congress myself. She is as well respected as anyone on Capitol Hill, and I couldn't be more proud of her as she moves on to her new role. I do feel badly for my friends across the aisle, though, because Parker will now be steering the ship for House Republicans for the next 2 years, so you had better look out. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Parker Poling for her years of service to the House of Representatives and the people of this country, and in wishing her, Todd, Barrett, and Eliza well in their future endeavors. Thank you, and God bless you.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Centralina Council of Governments (CCOG) on their 50th anniversary. Originally established in 1968, the Centralina Council of Governments is one of 16 such councils in the State of North Carolina, and one of several hundred regional planning organizations across the country. Formally named Central Piedmont Regional Council of Local Governments, Centralina was created by and for local governments to allow members to partner on projects impacting our entire region. Today, Centralina Council of Governments serves local communities covering nine counties and 74 municipalities, representing nearly two million people in the greater Charlotte region, which includes Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly Counties in my district. They are experts at balancing the needs of smaller rural towns, growing suburban areas and Charlotte itself--quite a feat when you consider the different challenges each type of community faces. CCOG assists local governments in coordinating sound regional development plans and provides a forum to address issues best handled through regional cooperation, planning and action. CCOG also provides a variety of services for our region including the administration of state and federal grants in the areas of aging, workforce development, economic development and planning. The council also provides technical assistance services to local government members and other organizations in the areas of regional planning, transportation, energy and environment, local government assistance, and business resources. In short, Centralina COG is dedicated to helping one of the fastest- growing regions in the nation find innovative solutions to both existing and future challenges and to unifying the region's collective resources to help grow the economy and jobs, improve the quality of life and control the cost of government. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing a happy 50th anniversary to the Centralina Council of Governments and congratulations on decades of a job well done.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Charlotte, North Carolina on the 250th anniversary of its founding. I am proud to hail from Charlotte, and I want to celebrate the Queen City on this momentous occasion. As a graduate of A.G. Middle School, Myers Park High School and UNC Charlotte, I hold a very special spot in my heart for this amazing city. Throughout its history, Charlotte has time and again shown the ingenuity and resiliency which allowed it to grow into the prosperous hub it is today. And that ingenuity and resiliency comes down to one common factor--the people who have called Charlotte home over two and a half centuries. Take the founding of Charlotte way back in 1768. Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Town were named for Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg- Strelitz, wife of English King George III. Despite these overt ties to England, the local leaders of Charlotte banded together in 1775 to issue the Mecklenburg Resolves, the very first declaration of independence from Great Britain by any governing body in Colonial America. Or take the fact that Charlotte has grown from a regional banking center to the second-largest financial center in the country behind only New York City. This growth was something many scoffed at until a committed group of local visionaries grew a few regional banks into Bank of America and Wachovia, two of the largest financial institutions in the world. The ingenuity and resiliency of Charlotte and its citizens have allowed the city to grow into not only the largest city in the Carolinas, but also one of the fastest-growing cities in the entire country the past 30 years. While Charlotte has boomed, it has also retained the Southern charm and quality of life that's made it such a wonderful place to live. Folks from across the nation have flocked to Charlotte with good reason--as the slogan goes, ``Charlotte's got a lot.'' I'm fiercely proud of my hometown and I can't wait to see what the next 250 years have in store for the crown jewel of the Carolinas. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating the City of Charlotte on its 250th anniversary.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Specialist Christopher Harris, who was killed in action on August 2, 2017 while defending our nation as part of the 82nd Airborne Division. SPC Harris was a true American hero and our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family as they mourn the loss of this great man. Enlisting in the United States Army in October of 2013, SPC Harris' list of accomplishments speaks to his bravery and commitment to service. As an infantryman, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. He received numerous medals, including the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart. Men and women like SPC Harris represent the best our nation has to offer. As a Paratrooper, he was always prepared to fearlessly jump into enemy territory to defend his country. That level of valor allows us to enjoy the blessings of liberty that have persevered for well over 200 years. When his country needed him most, he stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Leaving behind a wife and a newborn daughter who he never met, our country can never repay the debt we owe to SPC Harris. He was a model citizen and soldier whose legacy will live on forever. He will always be remembered and I will do everything in my power to honor his sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Specialist Christopher Harris for his service to God and country

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H. Res. 1009, which expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that lack of timely and predictable funding unnecessarily undermines the mission of the United States Special Operations Command and jeopardizes the security of the United States. Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest honors of my life is representing Fort Bragg, the epicenter of the universe and home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces. The units stationed here represent the best of the best and have a vast footprint. As our Nation continues to fight terrorism around the world while simultaneously preparing for the threats of near-peer adversaries, our requirements increase and diversify. For too long, we have asked our military to do more with less. Now, we have made great progress with our fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 DOD appropriations, but every time we fail to pass a Defense Appropriations bill on time, we do irreparable harm to our Nation's military. This is especially apparent in our special operations community. The men and women at USSOCOM cannot afford another year of CRs. Their missions require an advanced level of training and preparation as they operate in some of the most austere conditions in the world. When USSOCOM is not funded on time, training cannot be conducted, essential equipment cannot be ordered, and long-term responsibilities are not met. The effects of 9 years of continuing resolutions have severely undermined our forces and led to a waste of taxpayer dollars as we flood the Department of Defense with cash near the end of the fiscal year and force them to spend it all within a matter of a few months. We must never underestimate the most important asset our military has, and that is the individual. Green Berets cannot be built overnight. We cannot flip a switch and magically produce Navy SEALs or Air Force combat controllers or Marine Raiders. The elite units of USSOCOM are built over multiple years and cannot be stopped and started. This resolution would affirm our commitment to stand behind each and every one of these incredible servicemembers and their families. Make no mistake, when this body chooses not to appropriately fund these warriors, we are putting their lives at greater risk. I refuse to go home and look in the eye of a Gold Star wife of a Green Beret and say: ``Sorry, your husband didn't get the training he needed, because we were too busy playing games in Washington.'' That, Mr. Speaker, is unacceptable. The time is now for us to come together as a Nation and fund our military. I urge every one of my colleagues to recognize what is at stake and put the needs of our Nation before politics. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Cheney for her efforts on these issues, as well as Chairman Thornberry and Chairwoman Granger for their unwavering support and commitment to our military and our special operators.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, America has always been the land of opportunity, but I am hearing, as I travel my district, a renewed sense of optimism that is exciting. Our economy is stronger. Families have more money in their paychecks. Workers are seeing bonuses and better wages. Unemployment is at historic lows. Job openings are at historic highs, and confidence is soaring. As a direct result of our tax cuts, about 90 percent of our workers are keeping more of what they make. The average tax cut this year in my district was over $900. Like a constituent who commented on my Facebook wall put it: ``Any time that the American taxpayer has more money in their pocket, it's a good thing.'' Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more. Businesses and workers are seeing tremendous benefits, too. With the tax savings, businesses all across the country are expanding and hiring more people. In my district, a local brewery can now purchase new equipment and raise wages. A local manufacturer told me she plans to expand operations and bring on new employees. Working with the Trump administration, I will continue to work to build on this progress so that more people can achieve their American Dream.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary career of Master Sergeant Danny D. Reynolds. In 1988, MSG Reynolds entered the Indiana Army National Guard. After completing Basic Training and Advance Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, MSG Reynolds became active duty on July 25, 1990. He was first assigned to Delta Company 15th Engineer Battalion, 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. From there, MSG Reynolds served all over the world, from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to as far away as Yongsan, South Korea. Deployed on numerous operational assignments around the globe and through some of our nation's toughest times, MSG Reynolds stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Some of his most notable engagements took place in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and during his two deployments with the Theater Civil Military Support Element in support of Special Operations Command Pacific. Throughout these operations, he delivered on the promise to keep America safe and confront our enemies head on under the most difficult conditions. During his career, MSG Reynolds received numerous medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. His foreign badges include Korean, French and German Parachutist Badges. These awards and decorations are a testimony to his monumental success in safe-guarding America. While defending our nation overseas, MSG Reynolds most important commitment was to his family back home. He and his wife, Michele, raised five children during MSG Reynolds' illustrious career. This country cannot repay the debt we owe to MSG Reynolds and his family-- the Reynolds' are true American heroes. I wish him well in what is sure to be an active retirement. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the career of Master Sergeant Danny D. Reynolds.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Assistant Chief Robert Brinson, Captain Michael Reep and Captain Jonathan Ferguson, along with Firefighters Stacy Ritchie, Corey Sasser, Albert Lockamy, Zachary Wages and Stanton James for receiving the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce's Public Safety Valor Award for their work with the Fayetteville Fire Department Engine 3, Engine 14 and Rescue 1 teams. We are all familiar with the heroic work our firefighters do protecting our communities. Whether it is giving us peace of mind or saving the lives of others when a crisis strikes, the men and women who put on these uniforms are unsung heroes in towns and cities all across our nation. They work long hours, day and night, to ensure that we feel safe as we go about our daily lives. The Valor Award is presented by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce to those who execute extreme acts of heroism in order to save the lives of others in our community. The members of Fayetteville Fire Department Engine 3, Engine 14 and Rescue 1 teams were put to the test when a vehicle struck a gas line and a life-threating fire rapidly progressed towards the car while a man laid unconscious inside. Because of the quick action and smart decisions made by the team, the victim was saved and taken to the hospital where he made a complete recovery. I'm absolutely awed by the selflessness and courage displayed by these men and women who put their lives in danger to help others on a daily basis. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the Fayetteville Fire Department Engine 3, Engine 14 and Rescue 1 on receiving the Public Safety Valor Award for their courageous service to our community.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Master Trooper James Toon for receiving the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce's Public Safety Valor Award. A native of Whiteville, North Carolina, Master Trooper Toon moved to Fayetteville in 1989 where he was stationed at Fort Bragg while serving in the Army. After serving our country as a Demolition Sergeant, Master Trooper Toon joined the Fayetteville Police Department for three years before joining the North Carolina State Highway Patrol where he has served faithfully ever since. While Master Trooper Toon was off-duty traveling to downtown Fayetteville, he came across a car on fire. After pulling over to investigate, he noticed individuals trapped inside the burning vehicle. He was able to free one woman from the car, and because of his heroism, she made a full recovery. I want to thank Master Trooper Toon for his courage and valor in this heroic act. Master Trooper Toon is married to his wife Kimberly, and they have two wonderful children. I am extremely grateful for Master Trooper Toon's service to our community and I wish him continued success. The Valor Award is presented to those who execute extreme acts of heroism in order to save the lives of others in our community, and I can think of no more deserving recipient than Master Trooper Toon. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Master Trooper James Toon on receiving the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce's Public Safety Valor Award.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Michael Bartch, Lieutenant Kenneth Tatum, Firefighter James Strickland, Firefighter Thomas Farrell, and Firefighter Chiara Furlanetto-Duehning for receiving the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce's Public Safety Valor Award as part of the Fayetteville Fire Department A-Shift Rescue 1. We are all too familiar with the heroic work our firefighters do in our communities. Whether it is keeping us safe or saving the lives of others, the men and women who put on these uniforms are unsung heroes in towns and cities all across our nation. They work long hours, day and night, to ensure that we can feel safe as we go about our lives. The Valor Award is presented to those who execute extreme acts of heroism in order to save the lives of others in our community. The Fayetteville Fire Department A-Shift 1 exemplified this when they saved an individual who was stuck in a grain silo with temperatures well over one hundred degrees. They were able to extract the individual and get him to the hospital where he made a full recovery. It is lifesaving acts such as this which humble me and make me appreciate the selflessness of our firefighters that put their lives in danger to help others. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating these heroic men and women of the Fayetteville Fire Department A-Shift Rescue 1 on receiving the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce's Public Safety Valor Award.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which would increase funding for USSOCOM to provide for additional training of Special Operations Forces. Simply put, I never want our men and women in uniform to be in a fair fight. My amendment would allow for an increase in the training budget to ensure, whenever our forces are deployed, they have been fully prepared and are ready to fight, win, and return home safely. Mr. Chairman, one of the greatest honors of my life is representing Fort Bragg, the epicenter of the universe, and home of the airborne and of the Army Special Operations Command. The units stationed here represent the best of the best and have a vast footprint across our Nation. As our Nation continues to fight terrorism around the world, while simultaneously preparing for the threats of near-peer adversaries, our training requirements increase and diversify. As a result, we must ensure that we are ready for any situation at a moment's notice. Readiness cannot be built overnight. A Green Beret cannot be built overnight. In order to conduct their mission set effectively, we must provide them with a steady stream of predictable resources to enable them to train and prepare for the dangerous tasks our Nation asks them to perform. We must never underestimate the most important asset our military has: the individual. My amendment would ensure that we continue to take care of that asset by providing them every edge, every bit of preparation, and, yes, every bit of training that they require. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairwoman Granger for her excellent work on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Major General Michael D. Healy who passed away on April 15, 2018 at the age of 91. During his 35 years of dedicated service, Maj. Gen. Healy served valiantly, made history and showed us all how to be a family man. After enlisting in the United States Army in 1945, Maj. Gen. Healy began an illustrious career with deployments in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After evading enemy machine gun fire in the Korean War, Maj. Gen. Healy was given the nickname ``Iron Mike'' and it has stuck with him throughout his entire life. His nerves of steel and unparalleled courage led him to become one of the first Green Berets to achieve the rank of General. Deployed on numerous operational assignments all over the globe and through some of our nation's toughest times, Maj. Gen. Healy stood ready to answer the call to serve our nation. Throughout these operations, he delivered on the promise to keep America safe and confront our enemies under the most difficult conditions. Maj. Gen. Healy received numerous medals and recognitions for his service, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Silver Star, four awards of the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was truly a man of humility, bravery, and dignity. While fighting our nation's battles overseas, Maj. Gen. Healy most important commitment remained to his family back home. He was married to his lovely wife, Jacklyn, for 69 years, and they raised six sons, ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. This country cannot repay the debt we owe to Maj. Gen. Healy and his family--the Healys are true American heroes. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the career of the Major General Michael D. Healy.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the UNC Charlotte 49ers Men's Rugby Team and congratulate them on their National Men's DII 7s Championship. The 49ers defeated the University of Wisconsin Whitewater on May 20, 2018. Led by Coach Brent ``Bo'' Pasko, UNC Charlotte capped off an impressive undefeated 2018 season and won its third straight Southern Rugby Conference championship. In the quarterfinals, the team defeated Principia College and moved on to eliminate Bloomsburg University in the semifinals. In the championship game, the Niners bested the University of Wisconsin Whitewater (38-10) to secure a perfect record during the tournament. The 49ers jumpstarted the championship game with fly half and MVP Michael Basnett scoring the first two tries in rapid succession. Wisconsin Whitewater responded by drawing the game within two points before Basnett crossed once more--advancing the score to 19-10. In the second half, the 49ers opened the flood gates and tries were scored swiftly. Basnett dominated the second half, scoring at will and orchestrating the 49ers' offense to perfection. It was an immense victory for UNC Charlotte. In defeating the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, the 49ers upset the reigning Division II Rugby 15s and 7s champions. As a proud UNC Charlotte Rugby Alumnus, it brings me great pride to recognize these extraordinary young men as well as all of the coaches and support staff that made this Championship possible. The hard work and dedication exhibited by each member of the team during the season will continue to serve them well in life. They are a source of pride to both UNC Charlotte as well as the surrounding community. I already can't wait to see what 2019 has in store for the 49ers. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating the UNC Charlotte 49ers Men's Rugby Team on their national title. Go mean green.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Concord Deputy Chief of Police Betty Miller Stocks for receiving the Robert Jackson Eury Memorial Award. Deputy Chief Stocks has now become the first African American recipient of this award. A native of Concord, North Carolina, Deputy Chief Stocks has served with the Concord Police Department in North Carolina's 8th Congressional District for 27 years. Education was of the utmost importance to Deputy Chief Stocks--graduating from Concord High School before earning an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Rowan- Cabarrus Community College, a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Barber-Scotia College and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Throughout her career, Deputy Chief Stocks has served as a Patrol Officer, Sergeant, Captain, and now Deputy Chief of Police. Deputy Chief Stock's outstanding leadership and commitment in these roles for the Concord Police Department made her stand out in our community. The Robert Jackson Eury Memorial Award is presented in memory of Robert Jackson Eury, a man who lost his life in the line of duty while serving as a Cabarrus County law enforcement officer. This award keeps Mr. Eury's legacy alive through officers who share his same admirable and commendable spirit in Cabarrus County. Based on her career of service, I would say Deputy Chief Stocks fits the mold of esteemed law enforcement officers in our community set by Robert Eury. There is no doubt in my mind that Deputy Chief Stocks will continue her outstanding leadership and maintain her unwavering values while protecting the people of Cabarrus County; I am excited to see what the future holds for such a dedicated law enforcement professional. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Deputy Chief of Police Betty Miller Stocks for receiving the Robert Jackson Eury Memorial Award. We all wish her well as she continues to make a positive impact on our community.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, in 2018, more than 2 million Americans will suffer from addiction to prescription opioids. As I have traveled across my district, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects these drugs can have on families, friends, and loved ones. There is no barrier for these drugs. They strike at every level of society and across every geographic region. It touches all of us. In North Carolina, we have 4 of the top 25 worst cities for opioid abuse in the country. This truly is the crisis next door, and I am proud of the collective effort the House of Representatives has undertaken in a bipartisan way to address this epidemic. One important piece of this effort is a bipartisan bill I worked on with my colleague G.K. Butterfield, the SOUND Disposal and Packaging Act, which will direct the FDA to work with manufacturers to help reduce diversion, overprescribing, and abuse of schedule II or III opioids. I focused on packaging and disposal because it seemed everyone I talked to had sort of a lightbulb go off. So many of us have unused opioids in our medicine cabinets from surgeries, accidents, or hospital visits. With 70 percent of heroin addictions beginning in the medicine cabinet, attacking this oversupply with packaging on the front end and disposal on the back end was a logical place to start. We need to reduce the supply of opioids that find their way out of the medicine cabinet, and this legislation is the first step. I appreciate the leadership of my friend, G.K. Butterfield, for working with me in a bipartisan manner in authoring this bill. I want to thank the leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee and Health Subcommittee, Chairman Walden and Chairman Burgess, and Ranking Members Pallone and Green for their partnership and help to ensure this could be a reality today. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from DisposeRx in support of H.R. 5687, the SOUND Disposal and Packaging Act. DisposeRx, June 18, 2018. Hon. Richard Hudson, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Hudson: As our country continues to combat the opioid epidemic, we commend the United States House of Representative for voting on your legislation, H.R. 5687, the ``the ``SOUND'` Disposal and Packaging Act.'' Opioid overdoses kill tens of thousands of people each year, and this landmark legislation is pivotal to saving lives and overcoming the opioid crisis. Our mission at DisposeRx is to empower the consumer to safely and permanently dispose of unused medications, including opioids and drugs with abuse liabilities, with at- home solutions that render drugs non-retrievable. Research has shown that take-back and kiosk strategies are inconvenient and encourage diversion, whereas at-home solutions that empower consumers to destroy their drugs in an environmentally friendly manner are a better solution to preventing opioid abuse, overdoses and deaths that begin in the medicine cabinet. For years, the federal government has recommended substandard methods of disposal for controlled substances, such as placing them in coffee grounds or kitty litter, and even flushing them down the toilet for eventual transport to our nation's waterways. With the passage of H.R. 5687, Congress will be taking a crucial leap to change how we deal with drug disposal. In particular, section 2(f) of H.R. 5687 will require the General Accounting Office (GAO) to provide an independent report to Congress on the benefits of in-home disposal of controlled substances. We believe that the bill represents a clear recognition that immediate disposal of prescription medications within the home will reduce the number of new addictions and deaths. We are grateful for your leadership, and that of your cosponsors, including Representative G.K. Butterfield, in this critical area and we congratulate you on this pioneering legislation. We thank your staff and that of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, especially Preston Bell, who has tirelessly championed deterrent solutions to prevent abuse before it begins. We are passionate about providing a solution to our country's epidemic of overdose and death brought about by the misuse and abuse of opioids. Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to working with you and your colleagues to confront and reverse this crisis. Sincerely, Wm. Simpson, President.

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to please support this legislation.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary career of Lieutenant General Kenneth E. Tovo, the retiring Commanding General of the United States Army Special Operations Command located at Fort Bragg in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. Raised in Saint James, New York, LTG Tovo began his military career while attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduation, he was stationed at Fort Bragg as a Rifle Platoon Leader in the 82d Airborne Division. Serving in combat all over the world allowed LTG Tovo to gain invaluable experience that helped shape his distinguished career. Deployed on numerous operational assignments around the globe and through some of our nation's toughest times, LTG Tovo always answered the call to serve our great nation. Some of his most notable engagements took place during his assignments with the 10th Special Forces Group. These deployments sent him to Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina and several countries in Europe supporting Operation Desert Storm, Joint Guard and Iraqi Freedom. Throughout these operations, he delivered on the promise to keep America safe and directly confront our enemies under the most difficult of conditions. While defending our nation overseas, LTG Tovo's most important commitment remained to his family back home. He and his wife, Suzanne, raised two wonderful children during LTG Tovo's illustrious career. This country cannot repay the debt we owe to LTG Tovo and his family-- the Tovos are true American heroes. I wish him well in what is sure to be an active retirement. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the career of Lieutenant General Kenneth E. Tovo.