J. Hill

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Chair, let me say, in conclusion, that this is the Treasury bill. This is the bill that appropriates money for the Treasury. The Rules Committee made this amendment in order because it concerns spending money at the Treasury for bad ideas. Those on this side of the aisle want to counter terrorism, counter bad ideas, counter profligate spending by the IMF to back up rogue regimes. Mr. Chair, I encourage all Members who want to counter terrorism, counter rogue regimes, speak up for freedom in Israel, speak up for freedom in Ukraine, speak up for freedom on the island of Taiwan to support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment that I hope will garner bipartisan support. I do this with my colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee. Chairman Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri is here with me today. In 2021, Mr. Chair, the Treasury Department approved $650 billion in an allocation of Special Drawing Rights at the International Monetary Fund. That is a bunch of technical words, but in plain English, this means that they were lavishing $650 billion on all the countries of the world with no strings attached. The Biden administration claims that this allocation is necessary to have the global adequacy of funding in reserves in each of the sovereign countries of the world. In other words, these reserves from the IMF went to healthy countries, countries that don't need the money, like countries in Europe or the United States. Many countries ended up using this IMF money just to pay short-term bills. Worst of all, this Special Drawing Rights allocation provided billions of dollars of unconditional liquidity to some of the worst regimes in the world: $40 billion went to China; $17 billion went to the Putin regime in Moscow; and Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, the funder of Hamas, the killer of Israelis on October 7, received $5 billion to boost its reserves. That is completely at odds with American policy, completely at odds with our sanctions policy against some of the worst regimes in the world. The amendment we propose today would prohibit the Treasury Department from allocating any more Special Drawing Rights from the IMF to the ayatollahs in Tehran. Following the October 7 attack by Hamas against our friends in Israel, it would be unacceptable for the IMF to, once again, bolster the reserves of Iran. Money is fungible, and that money goes to Hezbollah and Hamas. Some of our colleagues might counter that prohibiting more SDRs for Iran means prohibiting them for everybody. That is simply not true. Mr. Chairman, the IMF has the authority to do special allocations and allocate these Special Drawing Rights reserves to countries of a particular need or concern. We don't have to give this kind of largesse to wealthy countries like the Netherlands or the United States or to rogues like China and Iran. Some may argue that excluding this is too dramatic and that Treasury itself can designate the whole country as a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern, and therefore, Iran can't get it. This administration has already freed up money for Iran in their recent hostage deal. If Treasury really wants to argue that Iran, the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism, should receive more no- strings-attached money, then come to Congress to make the case, but this is significant and should be decided by the elected officials in this body, not agency officials at the Treasury. Last month's assault on Israel was a clarifying moment for so many people around the world. This amendment sends a unified message: No more money for bad regimes around the world. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Chair, I don't consider that a very convincing argument on this amendment. This amendment is a good idea to counter a bad policy. Blanket money for rogue regimes through the IMF, approved by our Treasury Department and encouraged by the Biden administration, is bad. Voting for this amendment is good. It sends a message to rogue regimes: You don't get a free lunch from the United States of America. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

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

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of former Pulaski County Judge Floyd ``Buddy'' Villines. Mr. Villines graduated from Hendrix College in 1969 and afterwards would go on to serve in the U.S. Army during Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star. Upon return to the United States, he graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's William H. Bowen School of Law. Mr. Villines would start a career in public relations with the management of his own firm. He won his first election in 1984, becoming a member of the Little Rock Board of Directors. He would then serve as vice mayor from 1987 to 1988, and he became mayor in 1989, serving 1 year. In 1990, he was elected to be the Pulaski County judge, and he would serve in that post until 2014. Villines left his mark in central Arkansas through numerous bridge and trail projects, including the Big Dam Bridge, the Arkansas River Trail, Simmons Bank Arena, and the expansion of the Statehouse Convention Center. His impact on Pulaski County has been tremendous and his remarkable, lasting landmarks will stand as testament to his decades of leadership. Mr. Villines will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and all of us in Pulaski County.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Reverend Dr. Naomi Rogers, a devoted Korean American. Reverend Rogers has devoted much of her life to the spiritual well- being of Arkansans through her work as a pastor with the United Methodist Church. Her expertise in theology and love for Christianity have allowed her to become involved with multiple Methodist churches throughout our State. She also serves as the president of the Korean American Federation of Arkansas. Her work with the association was instrumental in the construction of the Korean War Memorial in Little Rock. Her work and leadership have made Reverend Rogers a marvelous role model and ambassador for Korean Americans not only in Arkansas, but across our country. I congratulate Reverend Rogers on all of her accomplishments and look forward to all that she will achieve in the future. Recognizing Lieutenant Colonel Larry Stricklin

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Larry Stricklin. On 14 October, Colonel Stricklin and his colleagues celebrated his well-deserved retirement after 30 years of selfless service to our Nation. Colonel Stricklin's career in the U.S. Army began in 1995 when he joined the 39th Infantry Brigade. Separating from the Army due to a car crash in 1996, Lieutenant Colonel Stricklin reenlisted in 1998. Since then, Colonel Stricklin has served his country in Iraq and has held a variety of other key positions around the globe. He recently assisted with the military response to one of the worst pandemics in our Nation's history. Throughout his remarkable career, Colonel Stricklin has exemplified dedication, resilience, leadership, and most of all, an unwavering dedication to our beloved country. Mr. Speaker, I wish him a happy retirement and thank him for his service and inspiration for the next generation. celebrating the life of william gary underwood

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I am sad to rise today, but I rise to celebrate the life of my dear friend, William Gary Underwood. His 47-year career in music, youth, and media ministry has brought joy and healing to numerous Americans and Arkansans, and Arkansas was fortunate to have him in our community. Gary's journey through ministry was plentiful. He was involved in the Elmdale Baptist Church in Springdale, Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana, and he served as the interim minister at Perryville First Baptist Church. He was also instrumental as the chaplain of the Little Rock Touchdown Club. Gary was a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, and his passion led him to be heavily involved in the development and launch of ACTS Christian Television Network in Arkansas. Beyond the ministry, Gary and I became friends when he joined Governor Mike Huckabee's staff as his director of media operations in 1996. Gary's passion for music, aiding youth, and the church has left Arkansas a much better place than when he found it. He will be missed by family, friends, and many others in our State. He lived a life to be celebrated. Celebrating the Life of Judge Floyd ``Buddy'' Villines

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from New York for managing the time and my friend from Illinois on this very important bill. I am so glad to see that it is a bipartisan effort on H.R. 3774, the SHIP Act, because this bill is critical to countering the long record of continued mistakes by President Biden of appeasing the regime in Iran. The Biden administration continues a foreign policy offering carrots to the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism and getting nothing to show for it in return. Due to this administration's appeasement through sanctions relief, Iran's oil production is now backed up at a 5-year high and is estimated to be producing 1.5 million barrels a day, and that is worth, Mr. Speaker, $40 billion annualized. Now, nearly all of that is being sold to China, completely as a counter to the rest of the world's effort to cut off money going to Russia directly through Russian oil and indirectly through Iran backing Russia--these are leaked; Iran backing Hezbollah in Lebanon; Iran backing Syria and Assad; Iran backing Hamas in the Gaza. Are you getting the picture? Iran is the problem here, Mr. Speaker--a partner to Russia fighting Ukraine, a partner in defeating Israel through Gaza. It is because they are selling oil on the market against global sanctions. This bill is important. It goes far beyond the administration's $6 billion of sanction relief to return Americans. Secondary sanctions are essential, and America's diplomacy, as Mr. Schneider from Illinois said, to get Europe on board with secondary sanctions is important too, because it is about defeating this global network of evil: Russia, Iran, and China. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this important bill.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul, and I certainly thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) for offering this important bill, H.R. 340, the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act. In addition to my work on the Foreign Affairs Committee, I serve on the House Financial Services Committee. Over the years that I have been in Congress, I have been on the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing and the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance. Today, once again, we come to this House floor to tackle a new form of illicit finance. It was shocking to a lot of people in America to read in The Wall Street Journal that Hamas is now using digital assets in order to raise funds and move money around. Just as we tackle illicit charitable use, illicit cash use, illicit bank use, this committee is dedicated to tackling this new form of escaping our anti-money laundering Bank Secrecy Act laws in order to fund terror. I expect all of my colleagues to be together, working together to pass this bill and, in fact, standing up against this new form of terror finance by using digital assets. We look forward to working on that issue in both the Financial Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I congratulate the gentleman from Florida for his leadership.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their work on this bipartisan, strong resolution. Iran and Russia are locked in a poisonous partnership committed to terror--terror in Ukraine, terror in Syria. Iran, as the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, is further committed to the destruction of our ally Israel. On October 7, Iran's puppet, Hamas, commenced its most recent sick, savage slaughter of innocents. America was the first nation to recognize Israel in 1948. Over the decades, we have stood at her side when she has been attacked by force over her borders. We have stood by her side at anti-Semitic rhetoric in the halls of the United Nations. Together, we have been at the peace table seeking solutions. Today, united we stand on this House floor in prayer for the safe return of all the hostages taken by Hamas. I urge adoption on a strong bipartisan basis of this resolution in support of our ally Israel.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker pro tempore, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker pro tempore, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon tomorrow.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to congratulate 21 rising and graduated seniors from Riverview High School in Searcy. Each of these gifted students have taken and passed a dual-credit history course from their high school in partnership with Arkansas State University-Beebe. With this complete, they will already be ahead in their college education and be set for success wherever they may go. I was delighted to welcome these talented students to our Nation's Capital just a few weeks ago and show them the history of the United States firsthand. To make the trip, these young men and women tirelessly raised the funds themselves by working concession stands and hosting car washes. Their hard work inside and outside of the classroom will ensure that they achieve excellence in their future endeavors. It's wonderful to see the hard work of our students and I wish them continued success in their future education.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker pro tempore, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, each year, I recognize outstanding young community leaders in the Second Congressional District that are high school juniors and seniors. Today, I rise to acknowledge the 37 honorees from this year's Educational Award Program. I am proud to celebrate the character and accomplishments of this year's group of students and look forward to seeing all they do in the future. This year's honorees are: Skylar Hoyt, Layla Patrick, Trevor Tucker, Brandt Tipton, Zoe Wilson, Murtadha Malik, Reeves Bethel, Nicholas Tarini, Avery Ferguson, Lexi Aikman, Fiona Wolter, Tyler Browning, Nathan Mishra, Sydney Massey, Liam Johnson, Samantha Brookman, Tristan Hogan, Shelby Kiker, Malachi Robinson, Jerry Igweh, Clara Bozzay, Kerrigan Quast, Chyeanne Cossey, Andrew Pittman, Kayla Tolliver, Chloe McNabb, Kristopher Wilson, Madeline McNeil, Anna Patterson, Zane Ussery, Eva Reaper, Shiloh Seward, Allie Thomas, Calyn Hemphill, Addison Zimmerman, Kameron Mason, Muskan Pirani. This group has received accolades such as first and second in their class, induction into honor societies, and attendees of Governor's School, Boys State, and Girls State. They are National Merit Finalists, AP Scholars, and Presidential Service Award recipients. Their schedules are incredibly busy at school with tutoring other students and leading clubs like National Honor Society, student council, FBLA, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Mock Trial, debate, Model UN, Quiz Bowl, and more. Outside of school, these students' interests range from the arts and music to almost every sport. And their service is exemplary, as these students have volunteered with numerous organizations that are making a difference in central Arkansas including: Arkansas Blood Institute, School for the Deaf, Salvation Army, AR Kids Read, and several other local and national nonprofits. Counselors and principals gave these students glowing recommendations, describing them as: hardworking, honest, dependable, ambitious, and resilient among other notable qualities. I am always pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of those in my district, and these are certainly some of the best and brightest among our young people. Congratulations to this talented group of students.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to congratulate James Couch, who is one of only two students from Arkansas to receive a Horatio Alger scholarship this year. The scholarship program is one of the largest in the country, providing educational funding to exceptional students who have overcome significant adversity. Mr. Couch just finished his junior year at North Little Rock High School where he certainly proved to be an exceptional student. His involvements include Student Council President, Little Rock Kappa League President, and member of Beta Club, Math Honors Society, Key Club, and National Honor Society. He also placed third in the state wrestling competition. In an interview with Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Mr. Couch talked about the application process. He wrote about his definition of the American dream and losing a loved one, his aunt. I commend his dedication to write about these important moments of his life. He commented that his guidance counselor motivated him to apply for the scholarship. This kind of mentorship and encouragement truly makes a difference in schools across our state. Mr. Couch hopes to attend college in Washington, D.C. and ultimately become a surgeon. What an exceptional goal to dedicate one's life to caring for others. Congratulations again to Mr. Couch.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor Julia Bullock, a longtime Searcy resident and the National Guard's 2023 Armed Forces Military Spouse of the Year. Julia serves as the Soldier and Family Readiness Group coordinator for Headquarters Company, 2-153 IN, and as one of the coordinators for the overall Battalion. In her role, Julia tirelessly works to help soldiers and their families access resources within the community that can help them through major issues, especially home and food insecurity. She also serves as an advocate for the Guard, frequently speaking to Arkansas elected officials to advocate for long-lasting solutions to these challenges for our military families. Julia and her husband, Michael, an Arkansas Army National Guardsman, reside in Searcy with their children. I extend my sincere gratitude to her and her family for their tremendous service.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor rising 7th grade student Amelia Lisowe, a resident of Benton and congratulate her for being crowned the winner of the Royal International Miss Preteen. In addition to her crown, she also won several well-deserved awards. prizes, and cash scholarships. Since 2018, Amelia has overseen her own nonprofit organization, Lisowe's Lights, and has raised enough money to donate 20,000 nightlights to foster children in the United States and around the world. She is a talented school athlete. participating in both the school dance and volleyball teams. Amelia also dances with Dance Dynamics Company and serves as an iCan Dance buddy for special needs dancers. She should serve as a role model for our Nation's youth. I congratulate her on her crown, her tireless volunteer work. and her many accomplishments.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor Sydney Massey, a recent graduate of eStem High Public Charter School, and a 2023 Presidential Scholar. The U.S. Presidential Scholars program recognizes our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Sydney is one of only 161 students receiving the award this year, making it one of the highest honors for recent graduates. This award serves as a well-deserved recognition of Sydney's many years of academic excellence. Her dedication and commitment should serve as an example for our nation's youth. In addition to receiving this award, she has also been recognized for scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT. I congratulate Sydney on being named a Presidential Scholar and her many academic achievements, and I wish her the best in what is sure to be a bright future.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Ryan Mallett. Mallett was a standout Quarterback at the University of Arkansas, an NFL Quarterback, and most recently a coach at Mountain Home High School and White Hall High School. In his first season at Arkansas in 2009, he led the Razorbacks to an 8-5 record and Liberty Bowl victory. He threw for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns, third all-time at Arkansas. In 2010, he led the Razorbacks to a ten-win season and Arkansas's first BCS bowl berth. He threw for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns, both a school record. He was drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft and made eight starts in his seven-year NFL career with the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans. After retiring from football, he would go on to become a high school football coach. Mallett first served as an assistant football coach at Mountain Home High School in Arkansas, recently moving to White Hall High School where he was preparing for his first season as the head football coach. Ryan's heartbreaking loss of life far too early touched all Arkansans. His legacy will live on in Arkansas, not just through a distinguished playing career, but as a role model who impacted and improved the lives of the next generation of Arkansans.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker pro tempore, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon tomorrow.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Jason Smedley, a native of Little Rock and decorated Marine Corps veteran, who will serve as the commandant of the brand-new Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy. His distinguished military service includes multiple deployments, working within the Pentagon, and a Purple Heart when serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Back home in Little Rock, Colonel Smedley has continued his service in the Marine Corps Reserves. He has also strived to serve within his community, including time as a volunteer firefighter. Colonel Smedley has proven his dedication time and time again to the United States Marine Corps, his home state of Arkansas, and the youth of our communities. I thank him for his distinguished service, and I am confident that he will be an inspiring leader for the lucky students of the Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy. Semper Fi Colonel.