Will Hurd

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1250, to create a national artificial intelligence strategy. For decades, American leadership in emerging technologies has created prosperity and security across the world, but this leadership is no longer guaranteed. As the Chinese Communist Party continues to use any means possible to become the next world power and world's leader in AI, it is all the more vital that the U.S. have our own strategic plan. For almost a year, Representative Robin Kelly and I worked with policy experts, stakeholders, and the Bipartisan Policy Center to develop guidelines that will prepare America's workforce, counter our adversaries, promote research and development, and shape the ethics of AI based on America's values. This resolution outlines specific steps and actions the Federal Government should take to ensure our global leadership in this emerging technology. If we don't take advantage of AI, Mandarin and the yuan-- not English and the dollar--could dominate the global economy. Vladimir Putin once said that whoever masters AI will master the world. That is why America--not Russia and not China--must be at the helm. I came to Congress to make our Nation safer, and I am proud one of my last pieces of legislation before this body will do just that. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend, Robin Kelly, for partnering with me on this critical effort and our staffs for making this happen. I hope all of our colleagues will join us in supporting this resolution.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is full of opportunity. How else could a young Black kid from San Antonio, Texas, grow up to come to Congress to represent a majority Latino district and get 17 pieces of legislation signed into law? My mom always taught me: You are either part of the problem or you are part of the solution. So, I ran for Congress, and over the past 6 years, I have done everything I can to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get things done. During my tenure, I have had some legislative lows, like being two signatures short of a successful discharge petition which would have led to a DACA fix being put on the President's desk. We should never stop fighting for these folks who are part of our American family. People like John Lewis taught us that this kind of work may be long, and it may be hard, but it is righteous. At the same time, I have had some legislative highs: Being the lead Republican, with my friend Jose Serrano, to get the National Museum of the American Latino Act unanimously passed out of this House of Representatives--after 26 years, we finally did it. Modernizing IT procurement laws so that the government provides better digital-facing services and establishing a national strategy to ensure the U.S. stays a leader in artificial intelligence are going to pay off for years. I came to Congress to make our Nation safer. When I was first elected, ISIS was our biggest national security threat. As we look at the years ahead, the nature of the threat is distinctly different. The next generation-defining battle, which has already begun, is against the Chinese Communist Party. China is trying to supplant the United States as the sole superpower in this world by 2049. Every American should care about this struggle because we face a potential future where Mandarin and the yuan, not English and the dollar, dominate the global economy. The winner of this generation- defining struggle will not just affect our economy but will shape the rest of the century for the entire world. Within this context of great power competition, I urge my colleagues to confront this national security threat with a simple principle that I learned from my time in the CIA: Be nice with nice guys and tough with tough guys. Back home, I have learned another simple principle: Show up. I was willing to show up to places others weren't, listen to what folks had to say, and work across the aisle to solve problems. We were able to find solutions to some of the most difficult problems plaguing our constituents by empowering people, not the government. I could not have done any of this without my staff. From day one, my team and I held the belief that no problem was too small and that no goal was too big. This mentality is how we ended up helping a high- schooler who had an idea of preventing her friends from distracted driving, and it is how we spent a year working on a national strategy for artificial intelligence. Despite these legislative successes, the thing I will remember most is helping constituents whose names folks don't know battle the Federal bureaucracy. Making a difference in the lives of those folks is something I will cherish forever. To all of my staff over the years, especially Nancy Pack, thank you for your late hours, thank you for your hard work, thank you for putting up with me, and thank you for your dedication, not just to the folks of the 23rd Congressional District of Texas, but to the entire American family. It has been a distinct privilege to stand on this floor for the past 6 years to debate issues and represent the people of the 23rd Congressional District. Thank you for putting your faith and trust in me. Serving as a Member of Congress has not only taught me about this incredible institution and how to legislate; it has proven a long-held belief that way more unites us as a country than divides us. My final message for my colleagues, as I depart this body: Don't treat bipartisanship like a four-letter word. The only way big things have ever been done in this country is by doing them together.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4785, which will honor the bravery of Lance Corporal Rhonald Dain Rairdan, who died serving his country in Iraq. Dain, as he was called by his friends and family, grew up in an Air Force family, moving to and living in many places around the country, but his adopted hometown was Castroville, Texas. It was in Castroville that Dain joined the Air Force JROTC program at Medina Valley High School. It was here that he realized his passion for service and, in 2005, joined the U.S. Marine Corps. According to his friends and family, being a marine was what he wanted to do his whole life. Four months after joining the Corps, Dain deployed to the Middle East, where his unit was tasked with hunting for weapon stockpiles and policing damaged cities as residents tried to regain a sense of normalcy. Tragically, on what was supposed to be his last mission before leaving Iraq, Dain and 30 other servicemembers were killed when their helicopter crashed in western Iraq. With that crash, we lost so many brave, incredible American patriots who embodied Semper Fidelis--Always Faithful. This was true for Dain especially. His commitment to his country left an unwavering impact on the lives of those who knew or served with him. He made his country, family, and friends proud. While his legacy will undoubtedly live on through his family and all those who knew him, the renaming of the Castroville, Texas, Post Office in his name will forever enshrine his love of our great Nation. I thank every one of my Texas colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan effort to allow folks in Castroville to remember Lance Corporal Rairdan, and I hope the rest of my colleagues in this Chamber will do the same. As we reflect on the bravery of one man who gave everything for country, let's remember that our mission in the Middle East isn't finished. He died for this mission, and we must ensure it is complete. God bless all of our servicemen and -women.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of securing the Internet of Things through the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2020. Every second of the day, more devices are connecting to the internet, and the amount of data we put online through these devices grows. The Internet of Things is the world in which all these devices and information live. The Internet of Things is the world where devices work together to make our lives easier. The Internet of Things is a world where we are always connected. IoT devices are improving our society. IoT devices are improving our economy. IoT devices are improving healthcare systems, shopping experiences, and just about every other aspect of our lives. The Internet of Things is showing just how innovative humans can be. But, like most innovations, IoT has the potential to be misused and abused by bad actors. The Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency has called IoT devices one of ``the most important emerging cyber threats to our national security.'' If our security practices for using the Internet of Things does not evolve as our use of it grows, then we will find out how innovative criminals, hackers, and hostile foreign governments can be. Securing the Internet of Things is something Congress can actually address, and we are doing just that with the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act. The bill reduces the risks associated with introducing new devices into the Federal Government's digital infrastructure. We achieve this goal by establishing minimum security requirements for the supply chain that is used to purchase devices that will be used on government systems. The IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act will ensure that taxpayer dollars are only being used to purchase IoT devices that meet basic minimum security requirements. We are taking simple steps to secure our supply chain and protect Americans' personal data and information. We can take advantage of technology before it takes advantage of us, and one way we accomplish this feat is by passing this piece of legislation that will mitigate vulnerabilities that IoT devices might introduce into Federal networks. What we are about to do today wouldn't have been possible without my friend and partner from the great State of Illinois, Representative Robin Kelly. We have had a lot of fun together and passed a lot of legislation together. I want to also thank the Committee on Oversight and Reform staff for helping to perfect this legislation. If it weren't for you all, we couldn't have gotten to this point. I hope all of our colleagues join us in supporting this legislation.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Latinos became the largest ethnic group in the United States in 2008 and, well before 2060, will make up 25 percent of the American population. In spite of their essential relevance to our country's intellectual and cultural life, the task force that the gentleman from California spoke about that was commissioned in 1994 by the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution found that, ``U.S. Latinos and Latinas are the only major contributor to American civilization still uncelebrated by any specific, systemic, permanent effort in this country's major cultural institution.'' We are rectifying this situation today. The National Mall is America's front yard, and it draws millions of visitors every year to some of the best museums and monuments that honor our most revered citizens. Half of all Americans will visit the National Mall in their lifetime, but there is nothing to the American Latino. To fully understand American history, we need a museum for the American Latino and Latina. Historian Dr. Peter Stearns has said: ``History helps us understand people and societies, helps us understand change and how the society we live in came to be. History contributes to moral understanding, provides identity, and studying it is essential for good citizenship.'' At a time of intense public debate about whitewashing history, we should jump at the chance to collect, present, and protect in one place artifacts, stories, and collections that reflect our entire history. The National Museum of African American History and Culture had one million visitors in its first 4 months. If this is any indication of the potential success for a museum of the American Latino, this investment will be well worth it. Many incredible people have fought to bring to life the idea of a national museum for the American Latino. Robert McCormick Adams, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, commissioned the 1994 task force. Raul Yzaguirre chaired the task force, with his vice chair Mari Carmen, and they have been fighting for this museum for 25 years. In 2004, my friend and former colleague, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, along with another former colleague, Xavier Becerra, first introduced legislation to establish the museum. Henry Munoz, a fellow San Antonian, served faithfully as chairman for the National Museum of the American Latino Commission with his vice chair, Susan Gonzales from California. They authored a report on how to achieve this vision. And another organization critical to the success of this initiative, Friends of the American Latino, whose chair, Danny Vargas, vice chair, Ivette Fernandez, and CEO, Estuardo Rodriguez, have toiled to make this a reality. Today, Congress gets to fulfill the work of these folks and many more. If we want to understand this experiment we call America, then we must understand ourselves, and we can't do that unless we understand all of our Nation's history. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this landmark piece of legislation. I am proud to associate my name with Ranking Member Davis, who has been a champion of this, to see this go to fruition, and the distinguished gentlemen from California (Mr. Aguilar), my good friend, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardenas), and, of course, the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano).

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, at a time with incredibly divisive politics, we are showing that we can actually come together for the betterment of our society as a whole. The fact that there have been folks from well over a quarter of a century fighting and toiling to make this a reality is an example for all of us. And the fact that everybody here today in this Chamber has an opportunity to play a small part in that is quite exciting. I think, 10 years from now, when there is a 6-year-old kid walking in the new Smithsonian museum for the American Latino, and they see something about Pete Aguilar, it is going to be an exciting opportunity for me in the future, and I am glad to play a small part. Again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on this landmark piece of legislation.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. A Freedom Rider unshaken by threats and violence, a leader in the struggle for voting rights who kept fighting even after a broken skull, a courageous American undeterred by more than 40 arrests after standing up for what is right, John Lewis spent his life fighting injustice and racism. If it weren't for the bravery of John and men and women like him, many of us wouldn't be in this Chamber today. And as a Black man, I am not sure I would have had the same rights as my fellow countrymen. John shaped this country in immeasurable ways. He never sat by when he saw injustice. He never stopped fighting. At a time when America is so divided, we should look at John's courage for inspiration; we should look at John's bravery for imitation; and we should look at John's words and follow them. I lost a mentor. John's family lost a father, son, brother, and husband. Our country lost an American hero. Rest in peace, my brother.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Teddy Roosevelt once remarked that: We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people have ever received, and each one must do his or her part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune. Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act proves we are worthy of the good fortune and glorious heritage of our National Parks. Future generations have been counting on us to ensure these treasures can be visited for another 100 years and, with the funding secured in this bill, we aren't letting them down. In 1893, Katharine Lee Bates was inspired hiking up Pikes Peak, and she penned the following lines: O beautiful for spacious skies For amber waves of grain For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain. America, America God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea. Passage of this bipartisan bill is a triumphant act that will benefit countless generations to come.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, today we are missing an opportunity to pass an overwhelmingly bipartisan bill. We are missing an opportunity for a police reform bill to actually become law. We are missing an opportunity to do our part to prevent another Black person from dying in police custody. Everyone here believes, as I do, that whether your skin is black or your uniform is blue, you should not feel targeted in this country. We have failed to do one simple thing: empower police chiefs to permanently fire bad cops. This is one of the most important things Congress could have addressed. Keeping bad cops off the force could prevent another killing like George Floyd. It would protect good police officers by ensuring bad officers, like George Floyd's murderer, don't soil the reputations of good officers. Just a few months ago when dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked together as one Congress--not two parties--to pass needed relief to our fellow citizens. That is the spirit that I wish was in this Chamber today.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, 134,700--that is the number of small businesses in my home State of Texas that have received Paycheck Protection Program loans amounting to more than $28.4 billion. This money helps small business owners catch their breath because they didn't have to fire their employees. This money prevented thousands from going on unemployment and standing in line at already- overrun food banks. Madam Speaker, this money has been a Band-Aid helping small businesses stop bleeding. This program has and will help many survive this moment of darkness. More funding for PPP will save jobs. More funding for testing will save lives. Let's get it done. No more delays. Madam Speaker, I am proud a solution to add funds to this program finally came about, but I am disappointed partisanship delayed it. Our neighbors and communities are stepping up and working together to help one another. Congress should follow that lead.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, due to travel delays, I was unable to participate in the following votes: Roll Call No. 79, 80, 81, and 82. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 79; YEA on Roll Call No. 80; YEA on Roll Call No. 81; and YEA on Roll Call No. 82.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the tremendous public service of Mrs. Carmen Gutierrez. Carmen has served for 5 years as my Del Rio district representative, delivering the gold standard in constituent services to the people of Terrell, Val Verde, Kinney, and Uvalde Counties. Carmen was born and raised in Texas and has made it her life's work to give back to her community. Before working for my office, Carmen served as district equipment superintendent at the Texas Department of Transportation, becoming the first female in history to serve in that role. Carmen has played an integral role in her community and is beloved by those who call her friend and neighbor. When you walk through Del Rio, everyone knows her name. At the end of February, Carmen will retire from public service. It is a retirement that is well earned: scores of constituent cases closed, hundreds of lives touched, and now a loving family eagerly awaits more time with Carmen. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Carmen on her distinguished career and upcoming retirement.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, right now is not the time for a partisan exercise that could be used as propaganda by the ayatollahs. Instead, Congress should be united in condemning a regime that has been attacking America and our allies for 40 years. Qasem Soleimani was the head of the most dangerous and well-armed terrorist organization in the world, and his death has removed a major terrorist leader off the battlefield. This decision followed repeated rocket attacks by Iranian proxies on American forces and an attempt to storm our embassy in Baghdad. This decision was based on intelligence that our Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has described as compelling, imminent, and very clear, as Soleimani was planning attacks against our troops. This is an assessment with which I concur. No one wants another war in the Middle East. Instead of tying the hands of our military, we should be sending a strong message to the Iranian regime that there will be consequences for their reign of terror, and we will protect our citizens at all costs. The Iranian regime has killed over 600 American troops in Iraq. They have killed over 1,500 of their own people for peacefully protesting. They have lied to the world about their nuclear arsenal. Appeasing them will only make future conflict and bloodshed more likely. That is why I wish today, instead of this partisan exercise, that we were sending to the Government of Iran a clearer message that no elected official in America is supportive of its behavior.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, why should all Americans care about free trade with Mexico and Canada? We should care about the USMCA because just about every aspect of our lives, the food on our table, the clothes on our backs, the fuel in our cars, depends on free trade with Mexico and Canada. We should care about USMCA because 14 million jobs across the Nation, including the jobs of over half of my constituents in south Texas, depend on free trade with Mexico and Canada. We should care about USMCA because we live in a world where U.S. military and economic dominance is no longer guaranteed, and a strong North America is essential for us to remain competitive as China tries to replace America as the most important economy in the world. So let's get the USMCA to the President's desk so we can start talking about increasing North American competitiveness in the rest of the world. I support this bill.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, throughout this process, the American people have learned of bungling foreign policy decisions, but we have not heard evidence, beyond a reasonable doubt, of bribery or extortion. Allegations of these two crimes aren't even mentioned in the Articles of Impeachment being debated today. Today, we have seen a rushed process divide our country. Today, accusations have been hurled at each other, questioning one another's integrity. Today, a dangerous precedent will be set: impeachment becoming a weaponized political tool. We know how this partisan process will end this evening, but what happens tomorrow? Can this Chamber put down our swords and get back to work for the American people? This institution has a fabled history of passing legislation that has not only changed our country, but has inspired the world. This feat has been possible because this experiment we call America has one perpetual goal: make a more perfect Union. We can contribute to this history if we recognize the simple fact that way more unites our country than divides us. Tomorrow, can we start focusing on that?

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 628.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, I was absent from votes due to travel. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 610, and yea on Roll Call No. 611.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas for yielding, and I am proud to rise today in support of the bipartisan PACT Act to hold Turkey accountable for its destabilizing and dangerous decision to invade northern Syria and attack America's Kurdish allies. After years of fighting side by side with American forces against ISIS, Syrian Kurds are now under siege and fleeing their homes. According to the United Nations, over 180,000 people have been displaced, including 80,000 children. Many are fleeing to the Kurdistan region of Iraq, which already hosts over 200,000 refugees from the Syrian civil war. Turkey's reckless actions have created a humanitarian crisis that will strain our partners in the region and provide ISIS with an opportunity to reemerge as a threat to the United States. The international community must come together to provide assistance to Kurds and refugees in both Syria and Iraq. The U.S. Special Envoy for Syria also told Congress last week that there have been several incidents of potential war crimes committed by Turkey or its proxies, including the use of white phosphorus, which can be used as a chemical weapon on civilians and in extrajudicial killings. We cannot stand idly by while Turkey undermines the fight against ISIS, attacks our Kurdish allies, and puts hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians in harm's way. These sanctions are an appropriate response that holds Turkey responsible for its actions and provides incentives for President Erdogan to change course. One thing I learned during my time as an undercover officer in the CIA is that America only succeeds when our enemies fear us and our allies trust us. As members of NATO, both the U.S. and Turkey have committed to unite their efforts for collective defense and for preservation of peace and security. I hope our Turkish counterparts will recommit to these principles and work with us to address shared security concerns and protect the successes of joint U.S.-Kurdish efforts to drive ISIS out of Syria. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends, the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from Texas, for their work and their commitment on this important, bipartisan bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2420, the National Museum of the American Latino Act. As the lead Republican on this bill, I believe it is my solemn obligation to champion the gospel of the American Latino, not only in Texas, not only in Congress, but across the globe. When you walk down the historic National Mall, a sense of patriotism overwhelms every American spirit. We proudly celebrate our history, our ingenuity. We proudly celebrate the arts and sciences. We acknowledge our sins against our fellow man. We honor centuries' worth of heroic acts to bring peace to the world. But for nearly 60 million Americans, there is a void when they visit The National Mall, a hole in the quilt of America's fabric. That is why we need a National Museum of the American Latino. For it is the Latino who has joined fellow Americans in taking up arms against oppression in defense of democracy in every war since the American Revolution; it is the Latino who has contributed extensively to our Nation's history and culture; and it is the American Latino, through innovation and a thirst for knowledge, who will help propel the United States into realms never imagined by our forefathers. Madam Speaker, I remind my colleagues present that the America we cherish in our hearts would be a shell of what she is today if it were not for the selfless contributions of the American Latino. This week, the Natural Resources Committee has taken a critical step toward the eternal immortalization of the American Latino. This committee has recognized that the American image was painted by the broad strokes of patriotic Latinos. This committee has acknowledged the need to champion the accolades of American Latinos past, present, and future. Madam Speaker, I hope every Member of this body will stand alongside Congressman Serrano, Congressman Cardenas, and I as we work to establish a foundation for the National Museum of the American Latino.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. I am proud to rise today in support of this bipartisan resolution that opposes this disastrous decision to remove U.S. Forces from northern Syria and abandon our allies, the Kurds, to a Turkish invasion. Since 2014, the U.S. and our allies in the global coalition to defeat ISIS have fought side by side with the Kurds to end the caliphate and degrade the threat of terrorism to our homeland. Today, ISIS is beaten, but it is not broken. They remain a threat that requires continued engagement by both the United States and our partners. Just as the Kurds had our backs against ISIS, we need to have theirs. Instead, we are abandoning not just the Kurds but also our coalition allies in Syria. We are eroding all the progress we have made. We are showing our friends and our enemies that a partnership with America means nothing. We are providing ISIS with the opportunity to reemerge and once again threaten the United States. We are allowing Bashar al-Assad and Vladimir Putin to play the role of humanitarian saviors in Syria. As an undercover CIA officer, I chased terrorists around the globe and saw firsthand the threats facing our Nation from the Middle East. One of the things I learned when I was in the CIA was to be nice with nice guys and tough with tough guys, not the other way around. Because of this decision, and all the actions and inactions that led up to this decision, we have let our friends down; we have hurt our national security; and we have ceded leadership in the region to Russia and Iran. I hope we can change our course, but I fear it may be too late.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, I missed votes on September 26, 2019 due to travel. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 549; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 550; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 551; ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 552; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 553; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 554; and ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 555.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 50-year anniversary of the El Paso Community College in El Paso, Texas. Since opening in 1969, El Paso Community College has provided students with quality and affordable education. With 28 students graduating in 1971, the ELCC has since graduated over 80,000. It boasts 5 campuses in the El Paso area, including its first campus at Fort Bliss Army Base. The college's more than 130 distinct programs give their average of 29,000 enrollees per semester a diverse array of career options to choose from. Under President William Serrata, I know El Paso Community College will continue to thrive and benefit the members of the El Paso community for years to come, living true to their motto as the ``Best Place to Start--and Finish.'' I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 60th Anniversary of St. Leonard Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. Since its establishment in 1959, St. Leonard has become a fixture in San Antonio's southside community. Over the last 60 years, the church has created a rich history of service to the community and dedication to its parishioners. As St. Leonard Catholic Church marks its diamond jubilee, it is my pleasure to congratulate the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, Father Eduardo Martinez and the parish on behalf of the Twenty-third Congressional District of Texas. I hope you all have a wonderful celebration and may God continue to bless the congregation and its dedication to serving the community. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Leonard Catholic Church on its 60th anniversary.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 759, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act. As a Representative with more Tribes in my district than any other Texan, it is my solemn obligation to fight on behalf of Texas' native people. I am a proud Texan, and there is no greater State in the Union, no prouder people than we Texans, and for all the blessings bestowed upon the Lone Star State, we still fall short in our efforts of providing true economic stability to our Native American Tribes. The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo are the oldest community in the State of Texas claiming a governing body since 1682. During the Texas Revolution, it was the Alabama-Coushatta of East Texas who provided refuge, food, and medicine to the great Sam Houston and his army. Their story is sewn into the fabric of Texas' history. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 759 is not about whether one agrees or disagrees with gambling. This bill isn't about gambling. It is about letting two Tribes in two of Texas' most economically distressed zones engage in what every other Tribe in America engages in. This bill would allow these two Tribes in Texas to do bingo. That is it. Not blackjack. Not poker. Not craps. Just bingo. For too long, the Alabama-Coushatta and the Tigua Tribes have been prevented from achieving self-sufficiency. It is time we right this wrong. We will take today efforts to give the Alabama-Coushatta and Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tribes a chance to embark on the American Dream. We will vote to lift their families out of poverty. We will vote to educate their youth, and we will vote to grow their economies. I am hoping my 432 colleagues say ``yes'' with their vote. I want to thank the distinguished gentleman from the great State of Texas, my friend, Dr. Babin, and I want to thank my friends on the other side of the aisle, Chairman Grijalva and others, because without them, this would not have happened. Mr. Speaker, we still work in a bipartisan way here in Washington, D.C., and the fact that we are going to help these two Tribes support their community is an example of this today.

Mr. HURD of Texas

Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I am looking forward to working on more pieces of legislation with my friend from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I want to thank both of the gentlemen from California and their teams for helping us perfect this to get this important piece of legislation onto the floor. Again, Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.