Robert Latta

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 682) to facilitate access to electromagnetic spectrum for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries, as amended.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 682, the Launch Communications Act led by the gentlemen from Florida's Second and Ninth Districts. Over the last decade, the American commercial space industry has dramatically reduced the cost to enter space, revolutionizing the industry. Investment has increased, and innovation has flourished. The number of commercial space launches has increased dramatically. Unfortunately, our Federal processes have not kept pace. To launch satellites into orbit, launch providers need access to certain radio frequencies, known as spectrum, which requires coordination between several Federal agencies. H.R. 682 will take important steps to streamline the process for commercial space launch providers to gain access to the frequencies they need when they need them and ensure that a lack of coordination between Federal agencies does not hamper the thriving commercial space economy. No space launch should be threatened because approval for their spectrum access is caught up in bureaucratic delay. This legislation would provide more certainty to commercial satellite operators that when they make the investment in satellite technologies, they will be able to launch them into space. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 682, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the Second District of Florida (Mr. Dunn), who is the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would provide more certainty to our commercial satellite operators so that when they make the investment in satellite technologies, they will be able to launch them into space. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 682, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Chair, for over 2 years, I have worked with my colleague from Virginia's Ninth District to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act. During this time, our country has reeled from a record-breaking number of poisonings. In both 2021 and 2022, over 100,000 Americans died of an overdose. What was the main culprit? Fentanyl-related substances. In 2021, 77 percent of teen overdose deaths were attributed to an illicit fentanyl poisoning, and it is now the number one cause of deaths among adults 18 to 49. This crisis has simply spiraled out of control, and action must be taken immediately. That is why our bill, the HALT Fentanyl Act, comes into play. Right now, these fentanyl substances are temporarily set as a schedule I narcotic. If this class-wide scheduling were to expire, drug traffickers will be given the green light to push deadlier drugs; law enforcement will lose authority to seize these deadly narcotics; and Americans will continue to die. I am pleased the House is taking up this bill to permanently place fentanyl-related substances as a schedule I narcotic. Let me take a moment to clear up a misconception about this bill. This isn't about criminal justice reform. This is about justice for the victims of fentanyl poisoning. Cartels are killing our citizens for 10 cents. Let me repeat that: Cartels are killing our citizens for 10 cents. That is how much it costs to make a pill in Mexico that is fentanyl-laced. This is the DEA's number one priority. We owe it to our constituents to fix this permanently. Currently, to trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum, an offense must involve 100 grams or more of a mixture containing a fentanyl analogue. Because the average lethal dose of fentanyl is just 2 milligrams, the offense would need to contain roughly 50,000 lethal doses. Again, that is 50,000 human beings that would be murdered from fentanyl poisoning. Madam Chair, I strongly encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the HALT Fentanyl Act to help end this crisis and save innocent lives.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember the life and service of a dedicated American, Corporal Clark E. Worline. Corporal Worline was born on May 19, 1930. He enlisted in the Army in June 1947 and was assigned to the U.S. Army Chemical Center in Maryland until his unit was sent to the Republic of Korea during the Korean War. Corporal Worline served with Charlie Company, 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion, Eighth U.S. Army. His unit was part of the Second Infantry Division which came under heavy attack on November 24, 1950, during the Battle of Chongchon against the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces in the vicinity of Sinjang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Corporal Worline's unit was surrounded the next day, and six soldiers from his unit were reported missing in action on November 26, 1950. While no witness accounts or other historical records exist, the Army believes he may have been captured and marched to a temporary holding camp known as Death Valley in December 1950. In March 1951, a group of POWs were marched to POW Camp 5, located at Pyoktong, along the Yalu River in North Korea. Corporal Worline was likely in a group of 109 prisoners that made the march. Corporal Worline was never returned, and the U.S. Army declared him dead on December 31, 1953. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and also received the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. During Operation GLORY, the exchange of dead between combatant countries of the Korean War in Autumn 1954, remains that were recovered from POW Camp 5, Pyoktong, North Korea, were returned to the U.S. Army. One set of Camp 5 remains was designated Unknown X-14326 and interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as The Punchbowl, in Hawaii. In August 2019, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency analyzed those remains for possible identification through match with any soldier known to have been buried at Camp 5. Although Corporal Worline was not reported as having been at Camp 5, the presence of two other soldiers from his unit at that camp and historical precedence that POWs often remained at such camps without the knowledge of others around them established the possibility that Corporal Worline died there without his presence or death being noted by either the North Korean People's Army or other American POWs. His remains were identified on September 9, 2022, by The Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency. Their review made positive identification and allowed Corporal Worline to begin his final journey home. As part of his repatriation, the Honorable Transfer of Remains from Dayton International Airport took place on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. After Corporal Worline's memorial service on Friday, May 19, he will finally be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in his hometown of Dupont, Ohio with full military honors. Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the life and service of Corporal Clark E. Worline. On behalf of the people of Northwest Ohio, we recognize the sacrifice that Corporal Worline made for his country, and we thank his family for his service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I along with members of the Ohio Delegation would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Former Congressman Steve Stivers on his retirement from the Ohio National Guard at the rank of Major General. During General Stiver's career in the Ohio National Guard, he also held office in the Ohio Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Ohio's 15th Congressional District. He distinguished himself in Washington by his common decency, his dedication to his constituents, and a desire to help anyone he could. Currently, he is serving as president and CEO at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Born and raised in Ripley, Ohio, Steve is the son of Carol and Ernst Stivers. After graduating high school, he went on to study at The Ohio State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics and international relations in 1989. He earned his MBA from OSU in 1996. During his undergraduate studies at OSU, Steve joined the Ohio National Guard. He was eventually called to active duty in October 2004 and was sent to Djibouti, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq, where he was awarded a Bronze Star for his service as battalion commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before being called to active duty, Steve was appointed by Ohio Senate Republicans in 2003 to represent the 16th Ohio Senate District. He won a full term to the Ohio Senate in 2004. He remained in the Ohio Senate until 2008. In 2010, Steve ran and won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from the 15th Congressional District. During his time in Congress, he served on the House Committee on Financial Services and became the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance. He would go on to win re-election 5 consecutive times before leaving the House in 2021 to serve as the president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to our former colleague, Major General Steve Stivers, on his retirement from the Ohio National Guard. On behalf of the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I wish Steve all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his 38 years of service to Ohio and our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Dylan Rockey of Bryan, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Dylan's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2027. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Dylan brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2027. While attending Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, Virginia, Dylan has participated in JROTC and was on the honor role. Throughout high school, Dylan was involved with lacrosse and football, becoming varsity captain of his football team. I am confident that Dylan will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dylan Rockey on his offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available, and I am positive that Dylan will excel during his career at the Military Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Veronica Florek of Maumee, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Veronica's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2027. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Veronica brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2027. While attending Springfield High School in Holland, Ohio, Veronica participated in student government, Students in Action, JROTC, and was on the honor roll. Throughout high school, Veronica was involved with basketball, track, and soccer, becoming the captain of her varsity soccer team. I am confident that Veronica will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Merchant Marine Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Veronica Florek on her offer of appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available, and I am positive that Veronica will excel during her career at the Merchant Marine Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Parker Schofield of Maumee, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Parker's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Naval Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2027. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Parker brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2027. While attending Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio, Parker was a volunteer for numerous groups, camp counselor at several camps, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Throughout high school, Parker was involved with soccer and basketball, earning varsity letters in both. I am confident that Parker will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Naval Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Parker Schofield on his offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available, and I am positive that Parker will excel during his career at the Naval Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Jossell Bakheet of Perrysburg, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jossell's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2027. Attending one of our nation's military academies offers the opportunity to serve our country and receive a world-class education. At the same time, these young men and women undertake one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Jossell brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2027. While attending Olentangy Orange High School in Lewis Center, Ohio, Jossell participated in student government, medical club, Spanish Honorary Society, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Throughout high school, Jossell played lacrosse and field hockey, and she served as team captain in both. After high school, she attended the Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jossell Bakheet on her offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available, and I am positive that Jossell will excel during her career at the Air Force Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Colton Keefe of Bowling Green, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Colton's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2027. Attending one of our nation's military academies offers the opportunity to serve our country and receive a world-class education. At the same time, these young men and women undertake one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Colton brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2027. While attending Bowling Green High School, Colton participated in numerous extracurricular activities and was a member of the National Honor Society. Throughout high school, Colton participated in football and wrestling, earning his varsity letter in both. I am confident that Colton will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Air Force Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Colton Keefe on his offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available, and I am positive that Colton will excel during his career at the Air Force Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Brenna Payne of Luckey, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Brenna's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2027. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Brenna brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2027. While attending Eastwood High School in Pemberville, Ohio, Brenna participated in marching band, concert band, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Throughout high school, Brenna was involved with Eastwood Gymnastics and YMCA Gymnastics, earning a varsity letter. I am confident that Brenna will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy. Mr. Speaker, l ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Brenna Payne on her offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available, and I am positive that Brenna will excel during her career at the Military Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Ansel Holt of Bowling Green, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Ansel's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2027. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives. Ansel brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2027. While attending Bowling Green High School, Ansel participated in ice hockey all four years of high school and received his varsity letter. I am confident that Ansel will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ansel Holt on his offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available, and I am positive that Ansel will excel during his career at the Military Academy. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 39, a bipartisan joint resolution of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor. We are a Nation of laws. It is not up to the President to determine which laws to enforce and which laws to ignore if they don't conform to that President's particular agenda. If we allow Communist China to blatantly violate our trade laws with impunity, as the Commerce Department has concluded is occurring, how can we expect other nations to follow those laws and conduct business with us in a fair manner? Those who oppose this joint resolution will say the imposition of these tariffs will handicap renewable projects across this country that rely on a continuous supply of solar panels and materials. I understand this concern, and I am not opposed to the deployment of more renewable energy projects. However, I am opposed to the United States maintaining a supply chain reliant on Communist China and their forced slave labor. We should instead be working to build up our own solar manufacturing industry and send signals to the industry that the time to shorten supply chains is long past due. Unfortunately, these domestic companies operate at a disadvantage when Communist China gets to break the rules and undermine the markets with their cheap prices. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand up for American workers and for American energy independence. Vote ``yes'' on H.J. Res. 39.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support of H.R. 1343 and passage by the House, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1343, the ITS Codification Act, led by the gentleman from Georgia's First District and the gentlewoman from Colorado's Seventh District. The effective and efficient management of our airwaves plays an important role in fueling our economy, which increasingly relies on communication between digital technologies. As demand for wireless technology continues to grow, we must continue to focus on identifying potential opportunities to make more spectrum available for commercial use, including reallocating and sharing spectrum from Federal users. Complex, technical engineering testing and analysis underpins these important decisions on how best to maximize our airwaves for commercial use while preserving our Federal missions. Indeed, having a sound technical basis supporting these decisions will help restore trust in the process among Federal agencies. The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, within NTIA plays an essential role in conducting the tests that guide these spectrum reallocation or sharing decisions. ITS will also help ensure that NTIA, as the Federal spectrum manager, can continue to find opportunities to unleash commercial wireless innovation while also ensuring military readiness, securing our southern border, and advancing scientific discovery and other successful Federal missions. The work ITS performs has led to innovative advancements in the way we manage our airwaves. These airwaves power faster mobile connectivity for Americans, and making more spectrum available in the future is critical to beating China and ensuring our continued economic and national security. The ITS Codification Act will strengthen the statutory authority for ITS and ensure the work they do to advance United States technological leadership remains a key part of our approach. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1339) to require the Federal Communications Commission to review certain rules of the Commission and develop recommendations for rule changes to promote precision agriculture, and for other purposes.

Mr. LATTA

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1353) to direct the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules for the provision of emergency connectivity service, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1353, the ALERT Parity Act, led by the gentleman from Ohio's Sixth District and the gentlewoman of Washington's Eighth District. When hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters strike, connectivity and access to emergency communications is often one of the many critical services that are temporarily knocked out. Access to 911 services and important updates from local authorities sent by text message may be unavailable in dire moments. While network operators do great work in preparing for, responding to, and improving future preparations for these natural disasters, they are unavoidable. Even the best response may leave Americans trapped without access to emergency services in the aftermath of the event. However, recent innovations in satellite communications technologies have opened new opportunities to leverage our communications systems to provide emergency communications in times of natural disaster from satellites. Many of these services are designed to be available on Americans' phones seamlessly with no action needed by Americans. Recent innovative partnership between terrestrial network operators and satellite operators have highlighted the type of possibilities Americans may someday take for granted. Yet, these innovations and partnerships have also demonstrated that novel use of our airwaves, while potentially lifesaving, also need regulatory certainty so that they are reliably available and do not result in harmful interference. The ALERT Parity Act would establish a process for the FCC to ensure that satellite technology can be used to ensure access to wireless emergency alerts and 911 service remain uninterrupted during times of an emergency in areas that do not have connectivity. This legislation will be key to ensuring that emergency connectivity services are not authorized using temporary authorities and adequately protect all of the wireless services Americans rely on. This legislation will also pave the way for U.S. leadership as other countries look to take advantage of the innovation pioneered here in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1353, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).