J. Hill

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, in closing, this has been a good afternoon on a bipartisan basis to talk about the importance of financial literacy. It is something we all try to practice what we preach. We try to encourage a broad sense of partnership between the regulators, our financial services firms, the AARP, our schools, and other people to enhance financial literacy from adolescence to elder years. And I think about what we have heard today on what we are trying to protect our constituents from through education: internet scams, Nigerian princes' schemes, violators from a trusted person. And then I thought back, just sitting here, Madam Speaker, of my own in-laws, now deceased about 7 years--one with Alzheimer's and one just old-age infirmities--and cleaning up all the sweepstakes applications that they had received and sent money to in those final years of their life. I thank my friends, led by Dr. Foster and others. I congratulate Representative Casten and Representative Rose on this particular measure, H. Res. 328. I urge all of my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 328, Supporting the Protection of Elders Through Financial Literacy. This collaboration by Mr. Casten of Illinois and Mr. Rose of Tennessee is, again, an important bipartisan effort to focus on financial literacy during Financial Literacy Month as well as to call attention to the challenges that we have in making sure that our senior Americans are taken care of and their financial well-being. According to research conducted by the AARP Public Policy Institute, one in five older Americans is a victim of financial exploitation each year. These victims lose up to $3 billion annually, or more than $120,000 per victim, which is more than most Americans have in their entire retirement savings. Sadly, only 1 in 44 cases is reported. That is the challenge that we have talked about here this afternoon, that we make sure that that reporting is identified so that restitution can be made. I am proud of the work the Congress did on the Senior Safe Act, legislation that originated in the Financial Services Committee and was ultimately signed into law last year. That legislation took an important step in offering greater financial protection to seniors by encouraging financial institutions, investment advisers, and brokers to report suspected fraud or elder abuse to law enforcement--a good step. This resolution we are now discussing also complements the fine work of Mr. Gottheimer and Mr. Hollingsworth for their work on the Senior Security Act. Prevention is the best solution. More can and should be done to educate seniors and all Americans on healthy financial habits and protection against financial exploitation. The unfortunate reality is that seniors can be especially vulnerable to financial fraud, as outlined by Mr. Gottheimer and Mr. Hollingsworth. Even according to the SEC's own report in 2018, ``Elder Financial Exploitation,'' it is attributed to cognitive decline and wealth held by older generations. We must work together to ensure that bad actors don't take advantage of this population. These crimes range from complex scams to the all- too-common case of someone close to an elderly person tricking them into signing away money that they had saved for retirement. It is this last type of exploitation that is especially troubling. As I referenced a few minutes ago, people in a position of trust: lawyers, CPAs, financial advisers. H. Res. 328 highlights the importance of educating the elderly about healthy financial habits that include protecting one's finances from financial exploitation. You can't take it for granted that we know better than to finance a child's entrapment in Mexico or that you are going to help a Nigerian prince. It sounds farfetched. But it happens every single day across this country, and education is the best form of prevention. I think we can all agree that the status quo is not enough. H. Res. 328 raises much-needed public awareness for the importance of personal financial education for the elderly and highlights the collaboration between banks, law enforcement, and financial advisers to protect older generations. For those reasons, I congratulate and thank my friends, Representatives Casten and Rose, for their good work. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. John W. Rose), the Republican author of this measure.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank Madam Speaker for the opportunity to speak on this important resolution, H. Res. 327, and I want to thank my good friend from Illinois, Dr. Foster, for his passion on this measure to benefit, particularly, the young people in this country. Certainly, as the most prominent Ph.D. in the House of Representatives and a pioneering entrepreneur, he knows the value of financial literacy. And I am proud, as a former community banker and investment manager, somebody who dealt with families, their kids, and older Americans for 30 years in finance, to partner on this very important promotion of financial literacy for students and young adults. It is wonderful that it is a bipartisan effort by our committee. And it is truly unfortunate, Madam Speaker, that only 25 States require high school students to take a financial literacy class in order to graduate. As a result, many children and adolescents grow into adults who don't know how to properly save, spend, and budget. I am proud that Arkansas is one of those 25 States, Madam Speaker, as we enacted our requirement back in 2005. But, going back even further to 1962, Arkansas, through the leadership of Bessie Moore, a remarkable educator in our State, created something called Economics Arkansas, which, every summer, puts on financial literacy training for all of our teachers, K through 12, so that they understand to put financial literacy in all the classrooms. It was a lot of fun last week when we were in the district to go to Robinson Senior High School in Little Rock and see them compete for the Stock Market Game, which is a major component in financial literacy training, through Economics Arkansas. So not everyone, every student is as lucky as an Arkansan, because two-thirds of Americans can't pass a financial literacy test, Madam Speaker. Forty-four percent do not have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency, and 33 percent have not saved for their retirement. Financial illiteracy has broader economic costs, higher debt, limited savings. For many, this limits their homeownership. This means they don't have a stable retirement. And for many of our young adults, this critical knowledge creates the burden that we have seen in student loan lending in this country where families are not treating higher education debt as seriously as they treat buying that first house. Why is that, Madam Speaker? It is because of the lack, in my view, of financial literacy at the high school level, at our admissions offices in colleges, and that is why it was terrific, bipartisan, that this time last year in the last Congress, in September, we passed, with over 400 votes in this House, a measure that requires financial literacy training for students seeking a student loan, for students accepting a Pell grant. That is the kind of good work that this House has been doing. I want to again thank my friend, Mr. Foster, for his work. As we close Financial Literacy Month, I can't think of a better topic, and I can't think of a better friend to share that work with. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I have no other speakers on this important matter. I just want to continue to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and our lead sponsor, Dr. Foster, for his thoughtful elevation of the importance of financial literacy for all of our students and their families. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support, as well, of H.R. 1876, the Senior Security Act, and I want to thank my friends and colleagues, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hollingsworth), for their collaboration and work on this important bipartisan legislation, all focused on protecting our seniors. Madam Speaker, America's capital markets are open. They are innovative, and they are essential for our families. That is how we live the American Dream. We can grow a nest egg that helps us for our retirement, helps put our kids or grandkids through college, or helps buy a home. But as Americans age, they become more critical to the success of those open, transparent, and vibrant capital markets because those Americans over 50, Madam Speaker, roughly, have 77 percent of the financial assets in our country. So when bad actors violate our laws and regulations, commit fraud, or exploit our senior Americans or their families, the integrity of those transparent and open markets and the opportunity of that American Dream are threatened. To that end, protecting senior investors and preventing such behavior within our financial system is a shared goal. H.R. 1876 protects senior investors and will help the SEC reduce increasing instances of financial exploitation. It will create an interdivisional task force at the SEC to examine and identify challenges facing senior investors. I have to say, Madam Speaker, over two decades of working in the investment world and working with the SEC and working with FINRA, the regulatory body for broker-dealers and investment advisers, their efforts of sweep exams and the education of the responsibilities of investment advisers are critical. This will give them more tools to identify what the gaps are today. I would add, in my career, that gap extends way beyond financial advisers to CPAs, lawyers, people in a position of trust that advise and guide over Americans. It is shocking for us to report that $36 billion each year are lost to financial scams in this country and that one out of five seniors have reported being victims of exploitation. Many States are taking action on their own. According to the National Conference of State Legislators: ``The number of bills introduced by State legislators to combat elder financial exploitation increased by over 57 percent in 3 years.'' So this bipartisan bill is a very important step in generating awareness at the Federal level of the need to strengthen protections for our senior investors. Madam Speaker, protecting seniors and ensuring the integrity of our capital markets are things that I believe we all stand behind on this House floor. It is our duty to protect our constituents, particularly the most vulnerable, and that is why I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1876. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the work of the sponsor, Mr. Gottheimer, and his important personal testimony about his family and the importance of this bill. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hollingsworth), the minority sponsor of this bill and my good friend.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of Ray and Theresa Vogelpohl, who were recently named 2018 Arkansas Forest Stewards of the Year by the Arkansas Agriculture Department's Forestry Commission. The Forestry Stewardship Program recognizes and rewards landowners who are managing privately owned forest land for multiple uses. Arkansas is home to more than 1,200 certified forest stewardship landowners. The Vogelpohls first enrolled in the Forest Stewardship Program in 1996 and later became certified as forest stewards in 2016. They operate the Diamond TR Ranch, a 350-acre working ranch on the Perry-Pulaski county line. Their forest management efforts include prescribed burns, tree plantings along the Maumelle River, forest thinning, and planting of native grasses. Ray and Theresa's dedication to forestry and environmental conservation has safeguarded Arkansas forestland for generations to come. I join all Arkansans in congratulating them.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Kansas for yielding. I appreciate him organizing an opportunity to come to the House floor and talk about this important issue. As the father of two children, I have been committed to policies for a safe and enduring future for all kids and understand that we have to ensure the protection of kids no matter what their walk in life, particularly those with developmental disabilities. Mr. Speaker, over 200,000 in the United States live with Down syndrome, and one in 792 babies is born with this genetic disorder. While there have been great advances in medical research and public policy to enhance the lives of those affected by Down syndrome, there is still much work to be done. Individuals with disabilities face many challenges, and I understand the need to ensure access to vital services and medical equipment to support independent and active lives. This is critical to help effectively live with Down syndrome. Getting our kids the proper development path at a young age helps them ensure they will be healthier adults with a bright future. For over 20 years, I have watched with such pleasure young people begin to build that proper developmental path at Access Academy in Little Rock or Easter Seals Academy at Riverdale. As a former member of the board of directors of Arkansas Children's Hospital, I saw firsthand how important it was that parents are given the tools they need to keep their children healthy. This is particularly important for families who have a child with a disability. Back in 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law, the Americans with Disabilities Act. I was proud to have been working on President Bush's staff at that time. It was an amazing piece of legislative work that brought this Congress together and that has benefited thousands and millions of Americans and families since. I look forward to working with my colleagues to build upon that legislation so that all Americans can reach their full potential, no matter what challenges they face. I will continue to support efforts that provide services to individuals and families who are impacted by Down syndrome. Regardless of political ideology, I think we can all agree that every single child deserves protection. When I think about the kids over the past two decades whom I have watched grow up, who had incredibly nurturing parents who got them on that developmental path in the right way, who sacrificed so that they had that opportunity to talk about what my colleague did, the pursuit of happiness, and I see them smiling at workplaces when I visit in Conway, North Little Rock, and Little Rock, that they have a job, that they are out working, that they have that self-sufficiency and excitement of the work they do, it gives me such a warm feeling to see their success with all the hard work they have put into that pursuit of happiness. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I have to say, and I don't think it should be left unsaid today, that a right to abortion should not extend to children with traits deemed undesirable or inconvenient. Would we throw away a life so casually if a child had the wrong color eyes or off- texture hair? Of course not. If a child does not fit the physical or developmental ideals of their parents, they should be treated with the same degree of medical attention, love, and care as any other child. As a proud Catholic and proud pro-life Member of Congress, I believe we need to value life. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Kansas for hosting this important event today to talk about Down syndrome, the love we have for our American citizens who live with Down syndrome, and the affection we have and support we have for their families.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on National Medal of Honor Day to recognize the recipients of our Nation's highest military distinction for acts above and beyond the call of duty. Twenty-five Medal of Honor recipients hail from Arkansas. Their stories of self-sacrifice are not forgotten. Today, we pay tribute to those individuals for their meticulous service, sacrifice, and heroism. I would like to also recognize and thank Arkansas Boy Scout Donald J. Fitzgerald for his outstanding work to preserve the legacy of Medal of Honor recipients and their stories. Over the last 3 years, Donald has visited the graves of over 160 Medal of Honor recipients, documenting several Medal of Honor recipients' stories and lives. He chose to share with the world what he learned, and wrote a book about his travels titled, ``Our Missions of Honor''. I applaud Donald for his initiative, his efforts, and dedication to all Medal of Honor recipients past and present. We pray that their efforts may be long remembered by our citizens. Gulf War Memorial

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of the committed professionals at Van Buren County and their determination to improve that community's health and well-being. The Van Buren County Wellness Committee, founded by former County Judge Roger Hooper in 2017, seeks to create a bridge between local health resources, information, and initiatives to improve the health and well-being of the residents. At present, three grant-funded health-awareness kiosks have been installed across the county featuring asset mapping of community health resources and county health initiatives. These kiosks allow residents to find the best doctors and healthcare services within their communities, connecting individuals with the services they need, from food insecurity to mental health support and recovery. I would like to extend a hand of gratitude and congratulations to Roger and the entire Van Buren County Wellness Committee for their worthwhile investment in the health of our citizens in that county.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two fellow Arkansans, Jeff Kurczek and Brenten Byrd, for their valiant efforts to memorialize the bravery and legacy of veterans who served in Operation Desert Storm. Operation Desert Storm was one of the most successful operations in American military history. Over 700,000 Americans were deployed overseas to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's invasion. 383 Americans lost their lives in that conflict, including four Arkansans. Last month, former Vice President Dick Cheney and others took part in the dedication of the future site for the National Operation Desert Storm Memorial located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Jeff, a Sherwood, Arkansas, accountant, served our country for the duration of the Gulf war and acts as the organization's treasurer and CFO. Brent lives in Elm Springs, Arkansas, where he works with the Veteran's Affairs Department on the mental well-being of our veterans. He served honorably in the U.S. Marines and later in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm. He now acts as the organization's communications director. I thank them for their service to our Nation and commend their good work and efforts to honor the brave men and women who took part in Operation Desert Storm. Van Buren County Wellness Committee

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the life and legacy of a friend and Holocaust survivor, Fred Hilsenrath, who recently passed away at the age of 90. Fred was only 4 years old when Adolph Hitler took over as chancellor of Germany. After spending years in concentration camps throughout Romania, facing death, witnessing some of the most heinous and grotesque atrocities the world has seen, Fred and his family were finally rescued by a Jewish Russian soldier. With his new-found freedom, Fred moved to the United States to finish his education in electrical engineering. After meeting his wife, Eleanor, Fred moved first to San Francisco and, finally, to retire in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. Here, he wanted that slower pace of life. In his later years, Fred advocated to young people, ``Find your passion early and pursue it, even if adversity comes your way.'' He was a role model and friend to many across the State of Arkansas, and I extend my condolences, respect, and affection to his friends, family, and loved ones.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Chairwoman Waters for her work on this bill. I am delighted the House is considering this important bill, H.R. 758, which I have had the pleasure to work on over the past year with my good friend from Illinois, Congressman Foster. As a former community banker, I have dealt with the conflict of wanting to help law enforcement agencies when receiving a keep open letter, but not being able to because of the need to comply with the requirements set forth by a regulator, frequently and often in the middle of a bank exam. Today, the overall purpose of this bill is to support law enforcement and reduce money laundering and terrorist financing through our banking system. That is why, along with my friend Mr. Foster, I was pleased to introduce this, as the chairwoman said, narrow, commonsense bill, which enables partnerships without repercussions between law enforcement and our local financial institutions. This legislation allows law enforcement to monitor cash flows associated with criminal investigations at financial institutions. Under the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering regulations, banks face strict rules for managing accounts so that they cannot facilitate money laundering, terrorism financing, drug running, and other illegal activities. Sometimes, banks receive notices from law enforcement agencies known as keep open letters to encourage them to keep an account open so that law enforcement can monitor what they think to be and suspect to be criminal activity and track the payments for better monitoring. I have heard recently from banks that they are seeing an increase in the number of keep open letters, many of which can be attributable to new human trafficking investigations. Allowing banks to keep these accounts open will help stop these terrible criminal actions. Currently, if banks help law enforcement and comply with the keep open letter request, they face the risk of being penalized by someone from the same regulatory agency. This commonsense bill supports those efforts by law enforcement by allowing financial institutions to comply with such requests to maintain a suspicious account without being penalized in the middle of a bank exam. Under this bill, no Federal department or agency may take an adverse supervisory action with respect to the financial institution that is keeping the account open. As the chairwoman said, last Congress, this legislation unanimously passed out of our House Financial Services Committee and passed under the suspension of the rules. The legislation was also included as a provision last Congress in the JOBS 3.0 package. Chairman Waters and former Chairman Hensarling made fighting illicit finance a priority for our committee. Given the strong bipartisanship, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this measure. It will give law enforcement the tools it needs to prosecute bad actors who are exploiting our financial system. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this side of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just simply urge, with the work done by Mr. Foster and myself, and with thanks to the Chair, that we have strong bipartisan support in favor of H.R. 758, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, it has been sad to read that a judicial nominee, Brian Buescher from Nebraska, has been targeted for his membership in the Knights of Columbus as a part of his Senate Judiciary Committee's review of qualifications. The assertion that being a Catholic and being a member of the Knights of Columbus would prevent Mr. Buescher from properly and effectively serving our Nation is preposterous. Religion should not be a factor when measuring someone's ability to serve their country. I remind Senators that our Constitution, in Article VI, states that ``no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.'' The Knights of Columbus was originally founded over 120 years ago. It is a society for working-class and immigrant Catholics and is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. As a Catholic, my faith plays a significant role in every aspect of life and fosters a respect for the religious rights and freedoms of others. I was encouraged to see last month that the Senate unanimously passed a resolution confirming that membership in a religious organization does not make a person unfit for public office. Fundamental American values, among which are commitments to religious freedom and human rights, will always be the cornerstones of U.S. domestic and foreign policy. I will continue to advocate for the rights of individuals to express their feelings without living in fear of violence and persecution. Recognizing Matthew Zajac

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and the ineffective, inhumane, and irresponsible actions of the Maduro government. For years, Venezuela's United Socialist Party has pushed a once- prosperous nation towards desperate poverty and open tyranny. Today in Venezuela, Maduro celebrates while his people eat garbage. For too long, the authoritarian regime has acted without accountability. Water sanitation is nonexistent, and hospitals stand without power or medicine, the results, Mr. Speaker, of 20 years of irresponsible socialism under the Chavez and Maduro regimes--all this while 200 tons of U.S. food and medical assistance sit unused at the Venezuela-Colombia border, blocked by Maduro from entering the country. I stand with the Organization of American States and over 50 countries with interim President Juan Guaido and call on Maduro to step down so that humanitarian aid can flow to the Venezuelan people, who are sick, starving, and scared. All Americans stand with Venezuelans, who want their republic back; they want their rights back; they want their freedom back.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Matthew Zajac, a double amputee Army vet, for his remarkable service to our country and welcome him to his new home in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2007, during a deployment to Iraq, Matt and members of his unit encountered an IED, which exploded under their Humvee. Matt lost both of his legs; shrapnel tore through his wrist; and severe burns covered the right side of his body. He received the Purple Heart for his injuries and was medically retired. Mr. Speaker, 2013 marked the start of a downward spiral for Matt after losing his grandmother and his dad, a man who had stood by his side throughout the entire recovery process. Matt came to Arkansas seeking more than just help. He needed a community. Today, central Arkansas community groups, veterans support organizations, and our VA hospital are helping Matt restart his life. He is seeking proper treatment for his PTSD and acts as a spokesman for our Second Congressional District veterans group, We Are the 22, which offers assurance and hope for veterans who are considering suicide. Matt's sacrifice for Arkansas and America will never be forgotten, and I join all Arkansans in offering Matt a heartfelt welcome to his new house in North Little Rock. Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Thurman Booth. Thurman retired earlier this year after serving more than 52 years in wildlife services, most recently as the Arkansas director of Wildlife Services for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thurman's journey began at Louisiana State University. He quickly joined the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife as a trainee and then became assistant State supervisor in the Division of Wildlife Services. He served as the Wildlife Services lead in Arkansas since 1968. We appreciate his service to conservation and to the Game and Fish Commission, and I wish him a great retirement.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Sybil Jordan Hampton, who was recently awarded the alumni award from the University of Chicago for providing leadership in advancing social justice and equity in our society. Sybil grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and in 1962, in the aftermath of the Little Rock Nine integration of Central High in 1957, Sybil became the first African American student to complete her entire education at Little Rock Central High School. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Earlham College, a master's degree in elementary education from the University of Chicago, and a second master's degree and doctorate from Columbia University. After working as a higher education administrator and philanthropist, Sybil returned to Little Rock to become president of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, focusing on building a better Arkansas. She continues to be involved in many local community service organizations and is a life member of the Girl Scouts of America. As a local educator and civic and community leader, Arkansas has been an enriched place to live and work due to the outstanding accomplishments of Sybil Jordan Hampton. Recognizing Jim Hinkle

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Bill Holmes, who passed away peacefully late last year. He left an indelible impact on the Arkansas business community. Bill dedicated over four decades of his life to financial services, community banking, and government policy, most recently as CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association. I was fortunate to work with him throughout my business career in Arkansas. Among his friends, Bill was known for his quick wit, mischievous smile, and ability to connect with others. Bill's contributions to our State and our community banks will not be forgotten. I join all Arkansans in recognizing Bill for his remarkable career and his life well-lived. I extend my respect, affection, and prayers to his wife, Rita, and their family and friends. Recognizing Sybil Jordan Hampton

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Cancer Prevention Month and to highlight the long-term, exceptional work of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. The Rockefeller Cancer Institute opened in 1989 and serves as Arkansas' only comprehensive cancer treatment and research facility. Now in its 30th year, the Rockefeller Cancer Institute is in the process of pursuing designation as a National Cancer Institute. In 2018, approximately 44 Arkansans a day were diagnosed with some form of cancer, and 6,910 Arkansans lost their lives to this terrible disease. NCI grant funding would increase Arkansans' access to clinical trials and new therapies, expand services for patients, and create more healthcare jobs in central Arkansas. With 70 NCI-designated cancer centers across the country, not one is in Arkansas, and therefore, this is a vitally important mission. I applaud the Rockefeller Institute's objective. Recognizing Bill Holmes

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Mr. Jim Hinkle, who was inducted into the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame last year by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Born and raised in Mountain View, Arkansas, Jim graduated from the University of Central Arkansas before pursuing a lifelong career in community service and the outdoors. He served as commissioner of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before transitioning to 14 years on the board of the National Wild Turkey Federation, ultimately serving as president of the national chapter. Jim's leadership helped lead toward the expansion and improvement of habitat throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. His service to the State of Arkansas and to wildlife and conservation causes will not be forgotten, and I join all Arkansans in congratulating Jim on this achievement and wish him much continued success. Recognizing Thurman Booth's Retirement

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from North Carolina and appreciate his distinguished service on behalf of the citizens of North Carolina, his leadership of our Republican Study Committee in the last Congress, and his leadership as our Conference leader for this Congress. And I greatly appreciate his personal engagement to help continue this conversation with the American people about the need for enhanced security along our southwest border. Like my colleagues you have heard from, I have been to the southwest border four times as a Member of Congress. I worked in Texas for nearly a decade, so I am very familiar with the southwest border in Texas. But, as a Congressman, I have gone four times to get at the root of what is the balance that we want between border fencing, barrier, the use of technology, screening technology, enhancements at our ports of entry, and the manpower issue. Mr. Speaker, we need all of that, and that is, in fact, what we have produced time and time again on the floor. Just in the last year, Mr. Speaker, we have proposed these kinds of commonsense border security issues, and we have not gotten sufficient votes to pass them. So this is why we find ourselves hearing from the Border Patrol and our officials at Homeland Security that we need additional barrier construction, additional boots on the ground, new judges, additional screening technology--all of the things I hear about from county judges, county sheriffs, Federal law enforcement--to make our border, in fact, safe. But tonight I want to reflect on the impact in my home State of Arkansas. I see it every day. I have two young adults now, Mr. Speaker, a 19-year-old and a 22-year-old. When I was in high school, I didn't know anybody who had died of a drug overdose. I didn't know anyone who had committed suicide among my peers in my high school. And I am brokenhearted tonight, Mr. Speaker, to report that my kids and their age group have seen deaths from deadly addiction to these drugs that are coming over our border, our southwest border. It breaks my heart to see them at funerals when they should be at soccer games. The opioid crisis has killed more than 100 Americans a day and caused 45,000 deaths last year, alone, almost as many as we lost in all of the Vietnam conflict. A third of these deaths were attributable to fentanyl, much of which is manufactured in China. This Congress, bipartisan, last year, decided to get screening equipment to our postal service to interdict and try to stop fentanyl. Senator Cotton and I want to increase criminal penalties for fentanyl possession and dealing because, Mr. Speaker, in this small Sweet'N Low packet that we are all familiar with, 1 gram has enough--if it were fentanyl--to kill 500 Americans. That is what confronts our kids as it is laced into heroin, pressed into pills, soaked into marijuana on the streets of our country, coming across the southwest border. So my kids have suffered from it. I have watched their faces. I have hugged a lot of moms. And whenever I think of this issue, I think about Nate Gordon, who lost his life, whose mom I visit with and who has helped me in my roundtables on helping me cope with how to talk to our parents about this deadly addiction that has overtaken our country. Nate was a kid who got addicted, and he tried to beat it. And he beat it. And then, one night, it took his life. His mom doesn't have her son anymore, but she has dedicated her life to helping parents to educate kids, to get people in treatment. And that is what we need. We need an entire community to bond with this Congress to fight drug addiction. I spoke to our attorney general, my friend from North Carolina, and she told me that over 1,000 illegals had been arrested in Arkansas recently, tens of thousands of pills, and over 1,000 pounds of drugs. So this is something that challenges our whole country, and we have to work together. I commend our President for keeping it at the forefront of the American people, and I commend Mr. Walker for inviting us here to visit about it tonight.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to bring attention to Majd Kamalmaz, an American being held by Syria's dictator, Bashar al-Assad. In February 2017, Majd was detained by Syrian police while visiting the country for the funeral of his father-in-law. When I spoke to Majd's children, last week, they told me they had tried to convince him not to go to Syria, but their father always put others ahead of himself. Majd's personal motto is ``be in peace,'' and that motto has been on display throughout his life, in his work around the world, in places like Kosovo, Indonesia, Lebanon, and here at home after Katrina. Majd's children have not seen or heard from their father for nearly 2 years. Madam Speaker, I echo their plea and call on President Trump to do what he can to ensure that their father is safely returned to his homeland in America.

Mr. HILL of Arkansas

Mr. HILL of Arkansas. ``The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.'' Section 4: ``The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive, when the Legislature cannot be convened, against domestic Violence.'' Article V: ``The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.'' Article VI: ``All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation. ``This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. ``The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.'' Article VII: ``The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.'' Mr. Speaker, this historic reading of the U.S. Constitution on the floor of the House tonight, together with the Bill of Rights and all the amendments ratified as described in the original document, make the supreme law of the land. They are the law that we look to every day to guide the work of this House of Representatives. And I will remind my friends that 50 percent of the words in this historic document are governed and written in regard to Article I, the first branch, the Congress of the United States, the legislative branch. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues tonight who have joined us on the floor in reading the U.S. Constitution: Virginia Foxx, Tom Emmer, Warren Davidson, Mike Bost, Ted Yoho, Mike Conaway, Roger Williams, Tim Walberg, Jody Hice, Rick Allen, Peter Olson, Buddy Carter, Morgan Griffith, Andy Barr, Brian Babin, and Scott Perry. I am grateful for their participation in reading this historic document. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.