J. Hill

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winners of the 2022 Arkansas PBS KIDS Writers Contest. This competition was created to assist in advancing the literacy skills of young children by way of hands-on, active learning. The criteria for which these young authors were judged included originality, creative expression, storytelling, and integration of text and illustrations. Ninety-three students between kindergarten and 3rd grade submitted entries for this year's competition. Submissions were divided by grade, with 3 winners for each group. First place winners from Arkansas Second Congressional District include Abigail Wharton of Conway and Elijah Smith of Benton. Beginning July 6th, all students who entered the competition were given the opportunity to read their stories during a summer learning broadcast series, produced by Arkansas PBS. Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Arkansas PBS KIDS Writers Contest, and I commend all who submitted stories.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2022 Conway County Family Farm of the Year, the Stobaugh Brother Family Farm. Right off Highway 64, the Stobaugh family has been operating their family farm since the 1950s, producing soybeans, rice, and corn over 6,000 acres of land. Known for their first-class quality of crops, the Stobaugh's continue to utilize traditional farming methods while welcoming advancements in agricultural technology. These advancements include weather stations throughout the farm, and innovative irrigation system, and computerized calculations to ensure efficiency. Despite labor shortages and the rising inflation currently plaguing our agricultural industry, the Stobaughs continue to produce staple goods for many to enjoy at their dinner table. Congratulations to the Stobaughs and I thank them for being part of the family farms that feed 86 percent of what feeds American families every night.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the volunteers of the Pulaski County Special School District who have devoted nearly 18,000 hours to Pulaski County students during the 2021-2022 school year. Several individual volunteers earned awards for extraordinary commitment of their time. Recognized volunteers include Ms. Charnelle Joslin of Cato Elementary; Mr. Demone Gillette of Joe T. Robinson Middle School; and Ms. Amber Henson of Joe T. Robinson High School. Together, these 3 volunteers dedicated over 850 hours to the needs of students within the district. Additionally, Joe T. Robinson Elementary, Joe T. Robinson Middle School, and Maumelle High School were recognized for having the highest average volunteer hours donated per student. These volunteers are vital to the educational success of our students and promotes better citizenship by encouraging our kids to volunteer and make an impact in their communities. I commend the Pulaski County Special School District for their exemplary volunteer programs.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I want to reiterate this point. This is the responsibility of Congress if we are going to set environment and energy regulatory policy. It is not the purpose of our independent regulatory commissions. Aren't we clear now that the Supreme Court agrees with that position? Just in the last few days they ruled in a case called West Virginia v. EPA which basically says: hey, independent regulatory agencies, stay in your lane. Stay in your lane. Listen to what Congress has written in the statute. And Congress has not written this in a statute, which is why the SEC is way out of line with this proposal, while the Nasdaq market system rejects it, while small businesses reject it, while public company CEOs reject it, and why the Farm Bureau rejects it. As I say, this administration came to power with an idea that this was their number one issue, and you can tell it because the people who worked on the task force to propose this rule are the Chief of Staff at the Treasury Department, the head of the National Economic Council, and the White House staff. All came to Congress with an idea to propose this rule. So I urge my colleagues to support Republicans' efforts to not see this rule implemented and to not fund it. I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for yielding to me.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Searcy's Battalion chief, Keith Carlisle, on his retirement from the fire service. For 34 years, Chief Carlisle has worked to protect our community. Born and raised in Cabot, he went on to the fire academy and later returned on down the road to Searcy. His greatest moments in service included comforting victims of car accidents or fires. Every member of the fire service deserves admiration for their exemplary work for their communities. Public servants, like the chief, play a vital role in the infrastructure that keeps out citizens safe and healthy. I commend Keith Carlisle for his leadership and give best wishes as he transitions into retirement.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gavin Alveti, a 2022 graduate from Harding Academy and distinguished member of the Wildcat baseball team, who was recently named the Arkansas Democrat Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Baseball Player of the Year. Gavin suffered a broken orbital bone during a game in April after being hit by a fastball. Despite these injuries, Gavin returned to the mound within a week and was able to finish out his senior season. The Harding Academy baseball team went on to win the AAA Arkansas State Championship, under the leadership of Coach Shane Fullerton. Despite obstacles throughout the season, I am pleased to recognize Gavin, Coach Fullerton, and the Harding Academy baseball team on a strong, hard-fought season. I congratulate them on their achievements.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of Dr. Jim Citty, a longtime physician in Searcy. Dr. Citty first moved to Searcy in 1957 to play basketball and football for Harding University, where he would later serve as team physician for Bison Athletics. Upon graduating from herding, Jim attended medical school at the University of Tennessee and later enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Dr. Citty returned to Searcy to settle down in 1975. Throughout his career, Dr. Citty delivered over 10,000 babies in the White County area. Known and loved by Searcy residents, many of whom he helped deliver, his loss is felt deeply. ``Doc's'' impact within the community will not be forgotten. My prayers go out to Dr. Citty's family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Mildred Davidson of Sweet Home, Arkansas, in honor of her 100th birthday. Ms. Mildred Davidson grew up as one of 11 children and went on to work when she was just nine years old, helping her mother with her work as a maid, laundress and raising her other siblings. Those who know her, and her life story will tell you, Ms. Davidson's dedication to serving others is clear. She worked for 25 years at the Arkansas Confederate Home providing care to poverty-stricken veterans, their widows and their orphans. She was later hired into her dream job as an employee at the Holiday Inn at Sixth and Broadway, where her work spanned nearly two decades and included assignments on the hotel's seventh floor, which was reserved for special guests. Ms. Davidson was known for being an exemplar worker, making certain to treat every guest with respect. Today, she dedicated her time to being with her grandchildren and has plans to grow a vegetable garden this summer, just as she has done throughout her life. I give my best wishes to Ms. Davidson and her family in celebration of her 100th birthday, and I commend her for her decades spent caring for others.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate seventh grader Kason ``Rooster'' Lipsmeyer, of Vilonia, who has earned a position on the Arkansas National Junior High Rodeo team. Rooster and his teammates will be competing in the 17th annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo in the light rifle competition in Perry, Georgia. While it is only Rooster's first year competing, he won both the state championship and was the average champion in light rifle for the Arkansas Junior High School Rodeo Association. The art of competitive shooting is a long-standing tradition. Gun safety and accuracy are vital skills for gun-owners and all who will be around firearms. I commend Rooster for his determination, precision, and good sportsmanship and look forward to rooting him on as he competes against over a thousand others in the national competition. Congratulations and good luck to Rooster and the entire Arkansas National Junior High Rodeo team. We look forward to cheering them all on.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I want to commend my friend from New York (Mr. Torres) who has brought his exceptional service to the people of the Bronx to the people's House. He does what all Members do here which is take a great idea at a time of tragedy when he learned a better way to do something and bring that to the House, use it as an example from which all Americans can benefit. So, again, Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 6528, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, on the morning of January 9, a fire broke out in the Twin Parks North West apartment building in the Bronx, New York. Seventeen lives were tragically lost that day, including eight children. Investigators later determined that the fire was caused by a defective space heater left on to warm an apartment that was too cold on that terrible January winter night. H.R. 6528, ably written by my good friend from the Bronx, New York (Mr. Torres), would create a pilot program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development for building owners to voluntarily install temperature sensors in federally assisted buildings. The hope is that temperature sensors authorized by this pilot program will help monitor the conditions inside housing units to ensure that conditions are not too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. Property owners who contract with HUD have a responsibility to maintain decent, safe, and sanitary housing, and this legislation might help to ensure that these homes have adequate heat during the winter so residents will not have to rely on space heaters to keep warm. Representative Torres' idea will try to protect the welfare of renters in federally assisted housing and is a pilot program worth taking a look at to see if this can make a real difference. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, let me say that each day as I drive through downtown Little Rock, I pass the most handsome statue of Harriet Tubman right outside our city hall. She has her walking stick and her cape. She is in that disguise as that slave woman walking the streets of that Confederate town. It brings inspiration to all the citizens of Little Rock to see this extraordinary woman in this public piece of art in front of our city hall. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko), an author of the bill.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise, too, in support of H.R. 1842, the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act. Harriet Tubman, born Araminta Ross, is one of the most well-known conductors of the Underground Railroad. An escaped slave herself, Harriet navigated the Underground Railroad and reached safety in Philadelphia in 1849. Instead of remaining in Philadelphia, Harriet made numerous secret return trips to Maryland to free her friends and family. It is unclear just how many trips she made, but over a 10-year period, she never once lost one of her passengers, and she was never caught. Many know Harriet for her contributions to the Underground Railroad. However, the knowledge she gained by leading numerous covert missions was also critical to the Union military success. In addition to mapping Southern towns and transportation routes for the Union Army, Harriet Tubman would disguise herself as an unassuming elderly slave and wander the streets of Confederate towns, scouting military positions and supply lines, once again proving that Harriet was always willing to put her life on the line to defeat and destroy the system of slavery. Harriet Tubman lived a truly extraordinary life and, in doing so, saved countless lives, not only those she navigated to freedom but of Union soldiers who used her intelligence to defeat their opponents, the Confederate forces. Her incredible life cannot be summarized in 1 speech or 10 on this House floor, but the commemorative coin produced by H.R. 1842 will hopefully inspire a new generation to study her history. Madam Speaker, I support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it as well, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Since the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted, the number of community financial institutions has steadily declined. Republicans know this trend is due to increased regulatory and compliance burdens banks and credit unions face that inhibit their ability to survive, let alone, thrive. Republicans have consistently pushed for regulatory rightsizing including tailoring regulation, not imposing one-size-fits-all requirements. H.R. 4950 directs the banking agencies to study ways to promote the establishment of new banks and credit unions, including community development financial institutions, CDFIs, and minority financial institutions. This bill requires the banking agencies to report to this body, the Congress, on challenges faced by proposed depository institutions and to develop a strategic plan to promote establishment of new financial institutions. The banking agencies will provide the Congress with recommendations on how best to propose financial institutions and help them navigate that regulatory process. H.R. 4950 is a first step toward identifying and addressing the challenges posed to the chartering of new banks and credit unions. The fact is, Madam Speaker, encouraging the establishment of de novo financial institutions will help fill the needs left by bank consolidations and bank closures over the past decade. This will increase banking options and competition to better serve families, small businesses, and our local communities. The loss of local banks and credit unions has disproportionately affected rural communities. Republicans support efforts to better understand the challenges that prospective de novo depository institutions face and identifying the solutions to promote a greater number of new charters. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, let me thank my friend from Massachusetts for his passion on this. I spent the better part of half of my career in community banking, and I know the consolidation, how it has impacted, particularly, rural counties that no longer have a banking office. And I also know how the regulatory burden has raised the immense costs of trying to form a new de novo banking corporation. It is just putting it out of reach of many, many groups of civic leaders, entrepreneurs, local people and, certainly, those trying to form a minority depository institution, or a CDFI. So I commend my friend from Massachusetts for his work on this bill. It does have bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues to support it. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter to the Speaker and the minority leader, in addition to the chair and ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee from the Independent Community Bankers of America expressing their full support of H.R. 4590. Independent Community Bankers of America, July 26, 2022. Re Support for the Promoting New and Diverse Depository Institutions Act (H.R. 4590). Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Maxine Waters, Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Patrick McHenry, Ranking Republican, Committee on Financial Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Chairwoman Waters, and Ranking Member McHenry: On behalf of community banks across the country, with nearly 50,000 locations, I write to thank you for scheduling floor consideration of the Promoting New and Diverse Depository Institutions Act (H.R. 4590), sponsored by Rep. Jake Auchincloss, and to express our support for this legislation. ICBA urges all Members of the House to vote YES on H.R. 4590. The Promoting New and Diverse Depository Institutions Act requires the Federal banking regulators to conduct a joint study to assess the challenges faced by proposed depository institutions, including proposed minority depository institutions (MDIs), seeking de novo depository institution charters and to provide legislative recommendations to help these proposed institutions successfully obtain charters. There has been a dearth of de novo charters in the past decade. An infusion of new charters is needed to offset consolidation in the banking sector and create a competitive landscape that will benefit consumers and small businesses alike. Notably, new community bank charters, including new MDI charters, are needed to provide access to capital and banking services that play a pivotal role in reaching unbanked populations and underserved communities across the nation. Concrete, actionable proposals are needed to turn the tide of stagnant de novo bank formation. ICBA supports an array of measures, such as phasing in capital standards for de novo banks over a period of three years and allowing for greater flexibility to modify the de novo business plan as conditions warrant. Start-up capital is often the greatest impediment to forming a new bank, and these provisions, among others, would help spur the creation of de novo charters, including MDIs. Thank you for your consideration. ICBA looks forward to working with you to advance H.R. 4590 into law. Sincerely, Rebeca Romero Rainey, President & CEO.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), who will tell us how inflation is impacting her constituents.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I appreciate my 5 minutes for 1 hour under the House rules, which I don't believe is very helpful to my colleagues. So let me begin that we are here to talk about inflation and the impact of inflation on our constituents. I will start out briefly and talk about Melissa from Adona, Arkansas. She says: It is severely impacting us, with gas and grocery prices so high that we couldn't make our $300 car payment last month because my husband had four doctor visits to make. We have to do without air conditioning unless it gets above 97 degrees. Our grandkids come over and say: We thought y'all bought groceries. And we tell them we did, but that is all we could get. My husband is a disabled veteran, and we could barely make it before. With the rise in prices, we just have faith in the Lord that we can meet our needs. Madam Speaker, that is Melissa from Adona, Arkansas. All of our constituents are suffering. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr) to talk about the impact of inflation in his district.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Kentucky for his strong words. While Mr. Donalds is coming forward, I got a note from Ron in Little Rock. He is a 100 percent disabled veteran. He is not eating well. He is not able to go places because of the cost of gas in this country. He has to conserve his gas money in order to go to the VA for his primary care. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Donalds), my friend from Florida's 19th Congressional District.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise, as well, in support of H.R. 4227, the Developing and Empowering our Aspiring Leaders Act, or DEAL Act. I commend my colleague from Indiana (Mr. Hollingsworth) and my colleagues from across the aisle for collaborating on H.R. 4227. By investing in companies that help drive economic growth and job creation, venture capital funds play an important role in the success and overall health of the American economy. In fact, earlier this year, it was reported that employment from U.S.-backed VC companies grew 960 percent from 1990 to 2020. That is eight times the employment growth at non-venture-capital-backed companies. Jobs created by VC-backed enterprises are widely distributed across the U.S. In 2020, despite COVID-19 pandemic conditions, more than 10,800 companies across the United States received venture capital funding. Additionally, in 2020, venture capital investment in the United States totaled $164 billion. However, the registered investment adviser rules, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Dodd-Frank Act, inadvertently discouraged some venture capital firms from continuing to invest in companies through what are called secondary investments. Though advisers from venture capital funds were exempt statutorily from registration as a registered investment adviser, the Dodd-Frank Act required the SEC to define what qualified as a venture capital fund. As written, the SEC's rules state that VC funds can only have 20 percent of their capital commitments in nonqualifying investments. Specifically, the SEC definition for qualifying investments for venture capital funds prohibits secondary acquisitions from being considered as qualifying investments, which means that the secondary acquisitions fall into that 20 percent nonqualifying bucket. Therefore, Madam Speaker, small, private companies that need additional capital to grow and grow big enough to then go public cannot turn to the venture capital industry for secondary acquisition because such funds are concerned that they might well exceed the 20 percent limit and then trigger that the VC fund has to register as an RIA. Mr. Hollingsworth's bill, H.R. 4227, remedies this problem by requiring the SEC to revise the definition of a qualifying investment to include secondary acquisitions for purposes of the RIA exemption. This bill is a commonsense piece of legislation to ensure that our venture capital funds can continue to provide capital to small business across our land. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Mr. Hollingsworth, for his work on this legislation, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on Mr. Hollingsworth's bill, H.R. 4227. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong and enthusiastic support of H.R. 1057, the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act. What an honor to stand on this House floor and pay tribute to that generation, the World War II heroes who we know and love so much, including my father-in-law, who helped free the Buchenwald concentration camp, and my dad, who flew a B-25. Since its inception in 2024, the National World War II Memorial has been a popular attraction for anybody visiting Washington. Millions visit this iconic site annually. Along the entrance to the memorial plaza are 12 bronze relief panels that show scenes from the Atlantic front and 12 scenes from the Pacific front. The Rainbow Pool is at the center of the plaza, and behind that pool is the Freedom Wall. During World War II, the gold star was used as a symbol to indicate that a member of the family had lost their life in the war. The 4,048 gold stars on the Freedom Wall commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who paid the ultimate cost and gave their life in the war for freedom in Europe and in the Pacific. Anytime I visit the memorial, I always take an extra second to walk and read the quote from President Truman found on the memorial wall. It reads: ``Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.'' This memorial is an important place for all Americans, but unfortunately, its age is beginning to show. Coming up on its 18th year of service, the memorial is in need of repair--hence the importance, Madam Speaker, of passing this legislation today. The surcharges or proceeds from this coin program will go to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the maintenance and repair of the memorial and the continuation of important education programs so that the youth of tomorrow never forget the service and sacrifice of those who came before. I thank my old friend Senator Bob Dole for all the years that he supported us in trying to get this memorial built and was there and lived to see it. And I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), my dear friend, not only for the bill today to maintain the memorial but for originating the legislation that authorized the commission that established the memorial back in 1993. Those who give their lives for our country should be memorialized and remembered for all future generations. I support this bill, and I urge the entire House to stand up and support this bill for the memories of all those who served in World War II. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Chair, I was held up at Speaker Lobby security. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 379.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, today is the 141st day since Putin commenced his illegal, brutal invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin continues to direct his gang of thugs to target Ukrainian civilians. We have seen this play from Czar Putin before, with the mass murder of 25,000 souls in Grozny and the leveling of biblical Aleppo. To date, the United Nations High Commission has verified nearly 12,000 civilian casualties across Ukraine since February. This number is understated. In the words of Nazar Havryliuk, a 17-year-old from Bucha: ``They were not able to defeat our Army, so they killed ordinary people.'' Both his uncle and father, innocent civilians, were murdered by Putin's invading Army. Russian military strikes continue to target Ukrainian resources, including grain storehouses responsible for feeding over 400 million people worldwide. The World Food Programme estimates that 47 million people across the globe are suffering from acute hunger as a direct result of Putin's targeting of Ukrainian stores. Since February, almost 2,300 schools, Madam Speaker, have been damaged or destroyed, and 290 healthcare facilities have been attacked. No place in Ukraine is safe for civilians. Currently, 12.1 million people in Ukraine are estimated to need health assistance. That is 12 million individuals who are unable to get the help they need, the help they deserve, all due to Putin's invasion. Madam Speaker, as my friend from Wisconsin just told this House, leadership from the United States is essential now more than ever. President Biden must step up and ensure that Ukraine has the lethal weapons and supplies to achieve a prompt and decisive victory over the invaders. Only America's President can stand in the breach and lead. That leadership of our transatlantic partners and our critical allies, like Japan, are essential, essential in assisting the Europeans in crafting help for the people of Ukraine, including supporting humanitarian and critical and necessary and essential military support. The United States can support Ukraine directly also by supporting the U.N. Secretary General's efforts to open the Black Sea. It is essential that safely exporting Ukrainian grain, currently trapped, is a must-do. The world is waiting for that grain. The world is starving without it. Helping alleviate that hunger crisis requires American leadership. While Putin's puppets are in Istanbul sitting at a table talking about opening the Black Sea, his military is systematically bombing and burning all the fields of wheat across Ukraine. America must also lead in planning for reconstruction in Ukraine once the invader has been ejected. We must also hold Putin and his cronies accountable for the war crimes that they are committing daily in Ukraine. The targeting of schools, hospitals, places of worship, and civilians is unacceptable, illegal, and immoral. Russian leaders will be held accountable. I was pleased to see the National Defense Authorization Act continued to set that out as a basic tenet of American foreign policy, that we will hold these war criminals accountable. I will continue to voice my support for the brave people in Ukraine fighting against an illegal invasion to protect their homeland, their freedom, and their sovereignty. I urge all my colleagues to join me in working to craft the right way to support those Ukrainians in the distribution of needed resources worldwide and holding the Russian leaders accountable for their crimes. This we must do, and this House must lead. Again, I must close, Madam Speaker, by saying it is American leadership that unites the world that can eject Putin from Ukraine. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas, and I am grateful for the time.