Barry Loudermilk

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Cindy Castello for the vital role she has played in the development of Cherokee County, Georgia as a stronghold of conservative values. Cindy and her husband, Pete, have been friends of my family for many years. We have witnessed her character and dedication to our shared cause in all of her numerous roles as a community servant. As a dedicated leader, Cindy has been instrumental in recruiting and developing many community activists to become public servants and run for public office. She has utilized her extensive network of relationships and years of experience within the Georgia Republican Party, the 11th Congressional District, and the Cherokee County Republican Party to lay a foundation which will impact Cherokee County for years to come. She has devoted countless hours volunteering her time, talents, and energy to serve eleven years on the Zoning Board of Appeals; and, during her eighteen years of service on the Tax Equalization Board, she played a vital role for Cherokee County in steering the future of the county by applying commonsense conservative values. In her thirty-three years of dedicated service on the Cherokee County Board of Elections, Cindy has helped to set a standard of excellence, and helped develop the Board into one of Georgia's finest and most innovative entities. She has provided invaluable support and has been instrumental in the development of the Cherokee County Republican Party for the past forty years. She exemplifies the very best of public service and is truly an inspiration to so many. It is abundantly fitting and proper that Cindy's dedication to the cause of faith, family, and freedom be appropriately recognized in the U.S. House of Representatives. On behalf of the citizens of Cherokee County, Georgia's 11th Congressional District, and myself and my family, I offer my sincere appreciation to Mrs. Cindy Castello for her decades of faithful public service to our community.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a notable couple that have had a significant impact on Northwest Georgia and have become pillars of the community in and around Cherokee County, Georgia, Dr. Austin Flint and his lovely wife, Mrs. Bea Flint. The Flint's contributions to their community and the state of Georgia are immeasurable. Their positive impact in north Georgia inspired the Georgia General Assembly, in 2021, to designate the portion of Georgia State Highway 108, which runs through the heart of Reinhardt University in the town of Waleska, Georgia as the Dr. Austin Flint Highway. Born in 1937, Austin Flint grew up south of Atlanta in the town of Hapeville, GA. While attending college in Atlanta, Austin Flint met a lovely young lady from Dublin, Georgia named Bea. Austin and Bea were married in Dublin on June 27, 1959, and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Dr. Flint continued his education, enrolling in the Emory University School of Medicine. He graduated in 1962, joined the United States Air Force as a Flight Surgeon, and was stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Following his military service, Dr. and Mrs. Flint returned to Georgia, where he served his residency in radiology at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. After completing his residency, Dr. Flint wanted to utilize his medical training where he could have a significant impact. The North Georgia community of Cherokee County had gone for many years without a new doctor, and there were no radiologists in the area; so, in 1969, Austin and Bea Flint chose to move to Cherokee County, where he became the first radiologist in the county's history. Bea, an English Major, began teaching and raising a family, as well as continuing her education. In 1978, Bea took a teaching position at a local private college which, at the time, was known as Reinhardt Junior College. Bea continued to teach at Reinhardt for over a decade, still speaking of the school and her colleagues as being like a family. Bea and Austin made their home near the small college town of Waleska, where they raised their three children, Russell, now an Orthopedic Surgeon, Douglas, now an Attorney, and Chris, now a Schoolteacher. The Flints also have eight adored grandchildren. With deep roots in the medical and educational communities, the Flints have been actively involved with the local college for many years. Austin has served as a trustee at Reinhardt since 2016, Bea was a charter member of the Cherokee Chorale, and they have generously contributed to the school's music department for capital projects, a scholarship fund, and the recently acquired pipe organ. Because of their philanthropic efforts and ongoing support, a hall in the Falany Performing Arts Center at Reinhardt has been named Flint Hall in their honor. Through supporting these and countless other educational and cultural programs, and lending their expertise to the students and faculty, the Flints have been instrumental in the growth and advancement of Reinhardt, from a Junior College to a full four-year accredited college, to now being named Reinhardt University. Dr. Flint officially retired from the full-time medical practice in 2022, but he hasn't slowed, as he continues to serve the community on the Reinhardt University Board of Trustees, the Northside Cherokee Hospital Board, and the Georgia Medical Board. In addition to his continued community service, at the age of 86, Dr. Flint spends as much time as possible at their beautiful property in Waleska, known as BAR Flint Preserve, a permanent conservation, adjacent to Reinhardt, where he and Bea are developing an expansive network of nature trails, and manage an orchard of American Chestnut trees. Working in conjunction with the American Chestnut Society, students and interns from Reinhardt assist with the care and study of the endangered species. On behalf of the citizens of Cherokee County, and Georgia's 11th Congressional District, I offer my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Austin and Mrs. Bea Flint for their unyielding dedication to our community; and recognize them for their decades of care and service.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 372, I mistakenly voted NO when I intended to vote AYE.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dedicated staffer who is moving on to a new venture. After graduating from Georgia Southern University with a degree in accounting, Logan came to my Congressional office as an intern. Although he is originally from South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, he quickly became an honorary Georgian. Logan was college football starter for 3 years at Georgia Southern. He was named on Sun Belt Conference Academic Commissioner's List and the Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Role. Logan has a strong desire to serve, and an even stronger dedication to this country. Despite having a job offer in hand after graduation, Logan chose to come to D.C. to work as an intern, and immediately made an impact on our office. When the opportunity arose for Logan to join the staff of my House Administration subcommittee, he didn't hesitate. He saw it as another opportunity to serve--and he has been invaluable from day 1. Logan is moving on to the next phase of his life, where he will begin his career in accounting. Logan has left a lasting impression on our entire team and will be impossible to replace; but I am grateful for his service, and I look forward to seeing him continue to succeed as he enters his new role.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of Georgia's finest business leaders and an outstanding individual, Carl Bolch, Jr., Executive Chairman of the Board of RaceTrac, Inc. Throughout his career, Carl has been a pioneer in the convenience retail industry, driving innovation and redefining convenience for millions of consumers. During his more than fifty years with the company, Carl helped RaceTrac grow from 100 stores in two states, to more than 780 stores in 12 states with over 10,000 employees--and today, RaceTrac is the second largest privately held company in Georgia and the 22nd largest in the United States. Carl joined RaceTrac, his family's business, after earning a degree in Economics from the Wharton School of Business and a Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law, moving through various roles until he served as CEO and now continues as Executive Chairman of the Board. Beyond RaceTrac, Carl has also left his mark on the convenience store industry through his service as President of the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America and Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Convenience Stores. It has also been Carl's mission to give back to his community. He served as a 25-year member of the Atlanta Rotary Club's Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors for Camp Sunshine, a Georgia-based organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children with cancer. Carl also serves on the Patient Council for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and is a pivotal reason RaceTrac and its guests have contributed more than $7 million to the organization over the past decade. Additionally, Carl and his wife, Susan, have made significant contributions to education, including founding the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke University School of Law. A father of five--all of Carl's children have served RaceTrac in different capacities over the years, including Carl and Susan's two daughters, who currently lead the company's day-to-day operations, and their son, who serves on the Board. Carl Bolch, Jr. is an inspiration to us all. His contributions to society will have a lasting impact. I am honored to represent him in Congress. Please join me in recognizing and celebrating his achievements.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably delayed outside of the Chamber. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 136.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Jennifer Poole, on the occasion of her retirement after 20 years of service to the United States House of Representatives. Mrs. Poole began her career as a single mom on March 3, 2003, with the Office of Congressman John Linder (GA-07), and continued her service with the Office of Congressman Tom Price (GA-06) and then the Office of Congresswoman Karen Handel (GA-06). Mrs. Poole has been an invaluable member of my staff since 2017. She has worked cases related to every federal agency through the years, but excelled in working with Social Security, Internal Revenue Service, and Medicare cases. She has successfully completed thousands of cases, with immeasurable benefits being returned to our 11th Congressional District constituents. Guided by her faith, Jennifer has made a significant difference to Georgia constituents during some of their most challenging times. Jennifer serves with uncommon zeal and tenacity; but more than that, her compassion and kindness are extraordinary. She exemplifies the very best of public service, and is an inspiration for us all. It is because of her dedication and impact to the community, that she will be greatly missed by our office and constituents. We wish her nothing but the best in retirement, allowing her to spend more time with her husband Scott, and children, Frankie and Mollie. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Poole for her 20 years of exemplary service. I thank Jennifer. God speed.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Mrs. Claire Bartlett, a stalwart in Georgia's conservative movement, and a valued member of my Congressional staff for over 8 years. Mrs. Bartlett has been a valuable and dedicated member of my office since I was first sworn into Congress on January 6, 2015. Prior to joining my district staff, Claire was a conservative leader in the state of Georgia. Her leadership at the grassroots level demonstrated her commitment to restoring freedom and liberty and made her uniquely qualified to serve as my first District Field Director, and then as our Director of Business and Community Engagement. In these positions, Claire worked to exemplify our mission of representing and serving the people of the 11th Congressional District with integrity, respect, attentiveness, and vigilance. Throughout her tenure, Claire diligently served the people of the district. Claire's passion for the American ideals and our founding principals has remained her number one priority. Over the course of her time in service, from 2015 through 2023, Claire engaged with and assisted constituents and stakeholders from all walks of life and across the political spectrum. During this time, I received innumerable compliments and accolades regarding the value Claire brought to our mission. Claire will surely be a valuable asset wherever she is in the future; and I congratulate her on her new role, as she continues to work to ensure we have a community, state, and Nation that is free, safe and full of opportunity. She will be missed as a part of our team but will always remain a member of our office family, and I thank Claire for her years of service. God Speed.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, today marks Glenn Burns' last day with WSB-TV after serving as the Chief Meteorologist for forty years. Over the years, Glenn has been a familiar face on TV, from hosting the weekly Mega Millions lottery drawings, to being a trusted and calming presence for millions of Georgians during some of the most severe weather events in our state's history. While Glenn's presence on the 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. newscasts will be missed, Georgians are pleased to know Glenn will be serving as the Chief Emeritus for another year and will assist the network during future severe weather events in our area. On behalf of Georgia's 11th Congressional District, I congratulate Glenn on an amazing career; and I sincerely hope that in his retirement Glenn will enjoy more time with his family, as well as enjoying the hobbies he loves: fishing, hiking, and astronomy.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today with mixed emotions as I recognize the incredible contributions made to my office, and this body, by a dedicated member of my staff. Mr. Colin Carr was one of the first to join my office in 2015 when I was a newly elected member of Congress. At that time, Colin came onboard as my first Legislative Correspondent, where he excelled. I quickly recognized not only his talents, critical thinking, and grasp of the issues, but also his keen interest and in-depth knowledge of legislative policy, especially in economics and the financial services realm. As a result, he was soon promoted to Legislative Assistant and then to Legislative Director. Colin's deep interest in the financial services sector proved to be crucial in 2017 when I joined the House Financial Services Committee. As my legislative liaison on the Financial Services Committee, Colin not only helped me to navigate the complexity of issues, but he also inspired new legislative initiatives. Colin led the effort to pass several bills in the financial services sector, as well as those of specific importance to the people of Georgia's 11th Congressional District. Two of the bills Colin helped champion were eventually signed into law by the President, the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Boundary Act and the Building Up Independent Lives and Dreams (BUILD) Act. Colin's natural aptitude and thorough understanding of the vital aspects of our financial systems are surpassed only by his vigilant commitment to his faith, his family, and our country. He is a wonderful role model for young Americans willing to work hard to be the best at what they do. Colin is leaving the House of Representatives to take a job in the private sector. As Colin steps into the next part of his journey, he will be greatly missed as a leader on our team but will always remain a member of our office family. We will carry a sense of pride in knowing that he will undoubtedly build on the foundation established over his years of service in the House of Representatives. I am blessed to have had such a dedicated and motivated member of my team; and, while I am happy for the success that awaits him in the private sector, he will be greatly missed by me, my office, and many others in the House of Representatives. I thank Colin for his service, and God speed.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of my friend and Georgia football legend, Coach Vince Dooley, who went to be with the Lord on October 28, 2022. Coach Dooley was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1932. He began his football career at Auburn University, where he played quarterback from 1951 to 1953. After earning his undergraduate degree. Coach Dooley served for two years in the United States Marine Corps, before returning to civilian life to pursue a graduate degree. While studying for his Master's in history at Auburn University, he began working as an assistant coach, a role he would hold for eight years. In 1963, Coach Dooley accepted an offer to serve as the head coach at the University of Georgia, unknowingly setting into motion a chain of events that would change college football forever. Shortly after assuming the role of head coach at UGA, Coach Dooley led the Bulldogs to an eighteen-to-seventeen win against the University of Alabama, the reigning national champions at the time. Over the following quarter century, Coach Dooley would orchestrate the University of Georgia's rise to the top of the college football ranks, earning a total of six Southeastern Conference Championships, culminating in the historic 1980 National Championship, which the Bulldogs carried undefeated. In total, Coach Dooley led the team to 201 victories, the most under a single coach in the school's history. Later, Coach Dooley would accept a new role as director of UGA's entire athletic department, in which he would cement the school's reputation as one of the top athletic schools in the country. In 2009, Coach Dooley would go on to help Kennesaw State University establish their own football program, which is set to join the prestigious NCAA Division 1-A by 2024. Coach Dooley was the recipient of seven SEC Coach of the Year Awards and the Bear Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame, and the University of Georgia's Circle of Honor, and many other honors. In 2019, the University of Georgia christened their stadium `Dooley Field' in his honor. Coach Dooley's interests extended beyond the gridiron. He was a master gardener, author, and advocate for historic battlefield preservation. He was a committed family man who is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Barbara; as well as their four children, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. In the south, where bitter rivalries between college football teams can be as divisive as politics, it is indisputable that Coach Dooley found his place among the greatest legends of football. He will be remembered as one of the southeast's most accomplished sons, and one of Georgia's most faithful servants.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Ranking Member Davis, for yielding me the time. I will address something that I heard just a few moments ago from my colleague from Wyoming listing off a number of conservative commentators about how great this bill is, and that is why we should vote on it. Well, see, that is the problem of why we are here right now. None of those conservative commentators are responsible for casting a vote for something that will affect the future of this country. You see, we are here now making a decision on this issue when we should have been included in this process all along. I am not calling into question whether this bill is good or whether this bill is bad. What I am saying is we have not been involved in this process, and we are being told to just take the word of someone because they call themselves a conservative commentator. It is those of us here who have been elected by the people of this Nation that are given the responsibility to analyze these things, to work together in a bipartisan manner to come up with what is the best solution for this Nation. That is not where we are. A partisan-run committee is the one who has rushed this bill to the floor, and we are being told that we need to work on it and that it is imperative we pass it now. Don't get me wrong, I agree that we ought to take a closer look at the Electoral College Act. I agree that we should clarify some of the mechanisms of the act, and I certainly agree that we should be working to prevent another breach of security of this Capitol as we saw on January 6. With all that said, we can't afford a one-sided, no-compromises discussion crafted by a partisan select committee, which is what we are being presented with in this bill, at least from the perception that we have at this moment. So, my question is: Why now? Why has the January 6th Committee chosen this moment to pursue this legislation instead of working together in a true bipartisan manner, engaging Republicans and Democrats together in a broader perspective? You see, the American people are smart enough, and they know the answer to this question. The January 6th Committee has really wasted more than a year. Instead of looking into how the security of this building was breached, they have been looking for a year for evidence of some vast conspiracy on January 6, 2021, with nothing to show for it. They have spent days falsely accusing me and some of my other colleagues of wrongdoing in the days prior to the January 6 incidents without producing any substantial evidence to back up their claims. Why? Because it doesn't exist. Now, with midterm elections looming and the prospect of a new majority in the House and the Senate, they feel they need to justify the time they have wasted by inserting themselves into what was once a bipartisan, bicameral discussion of the Electoral Count Reform Act. In the meantime, House Republicans have taken concrete steps to promote confidence in elections at every level of government. We have introduced legislation that would reaffirm States' constitutional sovereignty over elections rather than trampling it. We have done this because the American people are tired of hearing about January 6. The American people care about the growing cost of living, the declining economy, and the uncontrolled spending, which has caused mass inflation. The American people want to be confident that their vote counts in every election, that they can trust the ballot box, and their concerns won't be ignored by lawmakers in Washington. I will close with this. The American people don't need the January 6th Committee to tell them what is broken in this country. They look at their declining paycheck and the rising cost of groceries, and they see this body focused on the past instead of correcting their future.

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, they see that this body and its reckless spending is why we have record inflation in this moment. For that reason, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the Presidential Election Reform Act, and then let's work together on something that will work for the American people.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the birth of one of our newest citizens, who's grandparents and mother hail from the 11th Congressional District of Georgia. Shepherd Marshall Sims was born on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 in Johnson City, Tennessee. Shepherd was a healthy 8 pounds 8 ounces at birth. Shepherd is the brother of Wyndsor Anne Sims, age two, and is the son of Patrick Nicholas and Lauren Alexis Sims. The very proud grandparents are Beverly Ann Sims, and Gerald and Tonya Veitch. Please join me in celebrating this joyous occasion with my friends.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend Mr. Earl Tillman, an accomplished business and community leader, civilian flight instructor, and long-time member of the Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. Mr. Tillman has been an icon of the Rome and Floyd County community for decades. As an avid aviation enthusiast, he has operated the Tillman Aviation University at Richard. B Russell Regional Airport in Rome for over twenty-five years and has made countless contributions to the operations and advancement of the airport. As a long-time member of the Civil Air Patrol myself, as well as being a fellow aviator, I can personally attest to Mr. Tillman's unwavering dedication to the airport and the entire community. Hailing from Pierce County, Georgia, Earl graduated from Mt. Berry School for the Boys in 1952. He later attended Jacksonville University and the University of Florida. After college, Earl proudly served our nation in the United States Army. Mr. Tillman then returned to the private sector where he took a position at State Mutual Insurance, until 1999, when he returned to his alma-mater, Mt. Berry School, to serve as Special Assistant to the President. Outside of his professional careers, Mr. Tillman's passion has been to share his knowledge of aviation, especially to the youth of the community. When my family served as volunteers in the Civil Air Patrol, Mr. Tillman gave my daughter her first official flight lesson. Throughout the years, Mr. Tillman has used his passion, knowledge, and experience in aviation to serve others. As an influential member of the Civil Air Patrol for more than fifty years, he conducted numerous aerial search-and-rescue missions, as well as teaching aviation and leadership skills to young cadets and adult volunteers. He also worked with local Boy Scout Troops to help young men earn their aviation merit badges and inspire them to serve their communities. The impact Mr. Tillman has had on this community is immeasurable, from the number of people he helped to pursue careers in aviation, to his service as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church, he has touched, encouraged, and inspired so many. His selfless dedication and commitment to Rome, Floyd County, and the state of Georgia, have made our community and state better and stronger. I am happy to call him a friend; and, on behalf of all Georgians, and my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, I am honored to acknowledge and thank him for his lifetime of service.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. John W. Ryan, president and CEO of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, who unexpectedly passed away on May 16, 2022. John was a steadfast advocate of state financial supervision as the leader of CSBS, the nationwide organization of financial regulators from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories, for 11 years. But John was more than just an advocate and leader. He was a rare consensus builder in Washington. While he fiercely defended the dual banking system, he tempered his passion with humility, humor, and integrity. As tributes have poured in from across the nation, it is clear that he touched many with his humility, kindness, and vast knowledge of financial regulation. John was also a visionary. In recent years, he crafted strategies that empowered states to retain their authority and function on a local level while working together with federal regulators as one system; he called this strategy ``networked supervision.'' John grew up in a banking family. He would recount summers spent working for his father, who ran the Bank of Walnut Creek in Northern California. Among his many early jobs, he often told of filing checks, and when he was old enough, driving them over the Golden Gate Bridge to the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank. His early experience with the payments system informed his career and helped shape his idea for a more seamless system. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in political science and economics, John moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked on the House Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee, now the House Committee on Financial Services. While there, he worked on groundbreaking legislation, including the 1994 Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act. He later took a fellowship with the financial services commission in Brussels and worked for a public policy consulting firm. In 1997, John joined CSBS as an assistant vice president of legislative affairs. He rose through the ranks to become President and Chief Executive Officer in 2011. Throughout his career, John helped define the contributions and accountabilities of state financial regulators. He was a key contributor to protecting the states' role in financial services legislation, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. John also played a critical role in the creation of what is now the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System. After the financial crisis of 2008, John recognized the need for policymakers to have facts and figures about community banking when writing legislation that would impact them. He was instrumental in creating the Community Bank Research Conference with the Federal Reserve Board. The conference's research has driven more sound and appropriate regulatory policy and supervision, and, I believe, helped policymakers recognize the value of community banking when crafting laws and rules during the pandemic. Under John's leadership, CSBS was a valued partner to Congress as we worked through a range of financial services issues. The impact of his vision and leadership is immense. Our financial system is better because of John W. Ryan's work, as are the lives of those of us whom he touched.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the upcoming Juneteenth National Holiday, a day in which we celebrate the freedom of African Americans. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, proclaiming freedom for more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans. On June 19, 1865, more than two years later, enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, received the notice from U.S. General Gordon Granger that stated, ``The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.'' In 1866, black Americans celebrated the first of many annual celebrations of Juneteenth on June 19. Beginning with a proclamation in 1938 and legislation in 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. More than half of the United States have, in recent years, recognized Juneteenth in some capacity, including Georgia. I have been a part of this celebration for the past several years, speaking at local ceremonies; and I appreciate the history of this commemoration. I further believe it is important to celebrate freedom and liberty at every opportunity, which is why I supported S. 475, Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, when it came up for a vote in Congress in 2021. This national holiday is a celebration of freedom, and should be recognized by all Americans; as well as a day where we remember the moral stain that slavery had on our country. On behalf of the 11th Congressional District, and the United States House of Representatives, I join others throughout America in recognizing the freedom and individual liberty that Juneteenth represents.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably, detained and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 169. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Amodei (Balderson) Blumenauer (Beyer) Bourdeaux (Wexton) Bowman (Escobar) Brooks (Moore (AL)) Brownley (Kuster) Bustos (Kuster) Cardenas (Soto) Carter (LA) (Jeffries) Castro (TX) (Garcia (TX))

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Michael Kobito of Bartow County, Georgia as the 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year, and to commend his exceptional service to students in Bartow County, as well as his incredible contributions to their academic enrichment. Mr. Kobito teaches AP Music Theory at Woodland High School; and, in addition to providing students with a top-notch instruction in the performing arts, Mr. Kobito leads four concert bands, a 200-member marching band, the school basketball pep band, a jazz band, and the winter guard. Mr. Kobito's AP Music students achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the AP exam within his first year of teaching, a result of his dedication to their education, as well as their enthusiasm for his class. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the potential of each individual student and encourages them to treat every day as an opportunity to learn and achieve. As the 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Mr. Kobito will serve as an advocate for Georgia students and educators, and as an ex-officio member of the Georgia State Board of Education. Furthermore, he will compete for the recognition of 2023 National Teacher of the Year. Once again, I commend Mr. Kobito for his exceptional work as a Georgia educator and congratulate him on achieving this important honor within the Georgia education system. I would also like to acknowledge the runner up, Katie Blum of Sugar Hill Elementary, and all Georgia's Teacher of the Year finalists for their tremendous work and dedication to educating our next generation of successful Georgians.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Weather Channel for 40 years of exceptional weather journalism, public service, and high-quality educational content. Since 1982, The Weather Channel has provided accurate, by-the-minute live coverage of weather events, ranging from the mundane daily rain shower to catastrophic hurricanes and tornadoes. Today, The Weather Channel reaches more than 80 million households across the United States. It has consistently been ranked the most trustworthy cable news network in the country and has received nationwide acclaim for its high-quality reporting and programming. The Weather Channel has been instrumental in providing critical information to the public during natural disasters and severe weather events such as Hurricane Katrina, the 2011 tornado super outbreaks, and the January 2014 snowpocalypse that shut down much of north Georgia. During these events, The Weather Channel's information was instrumental to the people in affected areas, giving them guidance on when to seek shelter and what weather developments to expect. Today, I am proud to co-lead, with Representative McBath, a newly introduced resolution recognizing The Weather Channel on its 40th anniversary for its outstanding contributions to broadcast news and meteorology and for its role as a longstanding American institution.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. One thing I want to bring up that is homogeneous when it comes to campaign elections, Mr. Speaker, we live in an independent, diverse society where local governments are the greatest authority over the people. This is a takeover by the Federal Government to create a homogeneous society where everyone acts, thinks, and works according to the Federal Government. Oppose this legislation.

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today obviously in strong opposition to this latest attempt by my colleagues on the other side to enact a Federal takeover of elections and continue their tactics that they have used consistently in this Congress and the last Congress to hide the intent of what they are doing. Make no mistake, this legislation is an attempt to circumvent State legislatures' constitutional authority to set election laws, laws like the one recently passed in Georgia that maximizes--maximizes--voter access and protects the integrity of every legal ballot. One-size-fits-all government has never worked in a diverse and free society like we have here in the United States of America. One size fits all is synonymous with dictatorial regimes, Socialist societies, and Communist countries--governments that keep control over the people by stripping the authority from the hands of local officials that were elected by the people to represent them. This is what this bill does. To be clear, the goal of strong central governments and strong federal governments is to have a homogeneous society that is easily controlled. Our society is diverse: diversity of thought, diversity of action, and diversity of speech. But the actions of my colleagues on the other side is to have a homogeneous society to where right and wrong is no longer determined by personal conviction or faith but what the Federal Government has determined is right and wrong. You don't have to look any further, Mr. Speaker, of how the right to determine your own healthcare has been stripped away by my colleagues on the other side where people can no longer determine what they will and will not put into their body. The Constitution protects the ideas of individual liberty and federalism to where government is strongest at the local level. This bill disregards State voter IDs.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Atlanta Braves organization for winning the 2021 Major League Baseball World Series. On November 2, 2021, with a 7-0 victory in game 6 over the Houston Astros, the Atlanta Braves became World Series Champions for the first time since 1995. This team is an inspiration to every single Braves fan. A team of destiny. The team was 88-73 and was under .500 as recently as August. At one point in the season, the team had single digit odds to make the playoffs. As they seemed to hit every speed bump and roadblock along the way, very few believed they stood a chance; but every member of the team believed. Some players, such as Dansby Swanson, are locals; others, such as Ronald Acuna Jr., come from across the globe. Freddie Freeman has spent his entire career with the organization, while others are new to the team. Each of their families sacrificed special moments while the team trained and played across the Major League. The Braves defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 3 games to 1, in the National League Division Series. The Braves then faced their foe from the 2020 National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers. After having back to back walk-off victories in that series, the Braves beat the Dodgers, 4 games to 2, and won the National League Championship Series. Eddie Rosario, one of the newest additions to the Braves family, was selected as the 2021 NLCS Most Valuable Player. The Braves began the World Series taking a game 1 victory over the Houston Astros, and went on to win the series, 4 games to 2. New Braves legend, Jorge Soler, was selected as the 2021 World Series Most Valuable Player after hitting 3 home runs in the series and being the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit a home run in the first plate appearance of a World Series. Alex Anthopoulos joined the Braves organization in 2017 as the Executive Vice President and General Manager, later being elevated to the President of Baseball Operations. He was previously part of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Montreal Expos. Alex Anthopoulos masterfully navigated the off season by adding Pablo Sandoval, Ehire Adrianza, Guillermo Heredia, and Charlie Morton. After the devasting loss of Ronald Acuna Jr. to injury, Alex Anthopoulos made critical additions to the roster, acquiring Joc Peterson, Adam Duvall, Jorge Soler, and Richard Rodriguez. Manager Brian Snitker has been with the Atlanta Braves organization since 1977, and has been a player, Minor League manager, and manager of the Atlanta Braves. Brian Snitker is a devoted family man and has spent many days away from his family mentoring players, many of whom he has watched grow into young men. Through his guidance, this team has become an inspiration to Braves fans, and to every young athlete watching them play. The Braves won the World Series with the dedication of team members: Freddie Freeman, Ian Anderson, Jesse Chavez, Max Fried, Luke Jackson, Dylan Lee, Chris Martin, Tyler Matzek, A.J. Minter, Charlie Morton, Will Smith, Drew Smyly, Kyle Wright, Travis d' Arnaud, William Contreras, Ehire Adrianza, Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia, Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson, Johan Camargo, Adam Duvall, Terrance Gore, Guillermo Heredia, Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler, and Tucker Davidson. The Braves would not have made it to the World Series without the efforts of those team members playing in the regular season, such as: Ronald Acuna Jr., Abraham Almonte, Grant Dayton, Shane Greene, Jasseel De La Cruz, Yoan Lopez, Kyle Muller, Sean Newcomb, Richard Rodriguez, Mike Soroka, Spencer Strider, Josh Tomlin, Touki Toussaint, Jacob Webb, Huascar Ynoa, Chadwick Tromp, and Cristian Pache. I thank Braves fans everywhere, for their passion and devotion to this team. They showed up to cheer from the stands, and stayed to celebrate in the Battery at Truist Park. Without each and every fan across this country, this would not have been possible. I thank each and every team member of Truist Park, the clubhouse, Minor League coaching staff, and support staff. Once again, the Atlanta Braves are America's team. This is the moment that the city of Atlanta and Braves fans everywhere have been dreaming of for quite some time. The Atlanta Braves are, once again, World Series Champions! Go Braves.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 234th anniversary of the United States Constitution, and to commend the Daughters of the American Revolution for their diligence in promoting this period of civic education known as Constitution Week. The United States Constitution is more than just an outline for good governance. It is a product of the greatest minds of its time. It stands as a written testament to our values as a nation; and, while many countries around the world have a constitution that establishes and organizes their government, our Constitution is different. Its predominate purpose is to limit the power of the federal government, and it encapsulates the most sacred of American values: that our government is, and will always be, accountable to the American people. I am reminded that our nation's formative years were not without internal strife. Much like today, our founders were at a crossroad, and many wondered what form of government our fledgling nation would take. On September 17, 1787, crowds gathered outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Constitutional Convention had convened to decide the future of the country. As the delegates left the Hall that day, someone called out from the crowd, asking what kind of government we would have. Among the men leaving the building was Benjamin Franklin, one of the most esteemed figures in our nation's founding. There, on the steps of Independence Hall, Mr. Franklin turned to face the inquiring voice and replied, ``A Republic, if you can keep it.'' Today we find our country again at a crossroad. We must decide whether to maintain our foundational principles, or to tread down the path of authoritarianism. We can choose to hold fast to the values enshrined in our Constitution, or to ignore them and risk losing our Republic. I am confident that our Constitutional values and obligations will prevail in time. Through divine providence and the tireless efforts of organizations like the Daughters of the American Revolution, our obligation to the people has already survived over two centuries, and will not easily be abandoned. On behalf of the 11th Congressional District of Georgia, and the United States House of Representatives, I earnestly commend the Daughters of the American Revolution for their efforts in preserving the legacy of our founders, and the values enshrined in our United States Constitution.

Mr. LOUDERMILK

Mr. LOUDERMILK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my friend, Mr. Jeff Stice, who went to be with the Lord unexpectedly on September 14, 2021, at the age of 61. Mr. Stice, affectionately known as `Mr. Piano Man,' was a multi- award-winning gospel music pianist with a prolific music career. He first laid hands on a piano as a young boy, and quickly showed a great talent on the instrument. At the age of fifteen, Jeff played for his first gospel quartet, alongside his father. He went on to study piano at Western Kentucky University, where he refined his natural talent and gained an even greater appreciation for music. Shortly thereafter, he began to venture into gospel music professionally. During his early career, he played with the Blackwood Brothers, the Rex Nelon Singers, and Perfect Heart, and appeared alongside countless other gospel groups, including the legendary Oak Ridge Boys, as well as venturing into solo performing. Jeff later helped form the Triumphant Quartet at Louise Mandrell's music theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Mr. Stice spent twelve years playing with Triumphant, during which time he was inducted into the Edmonson County Music Hall of Fame, in his hometown of Brownsville, Kentucky, and co-produced the Grammy-nominated album Everyday. In 2016, he was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame for his earlier work with the Rex Nelon Singers. His career as a solo musician earned him the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall, the U.S. Capitol, and other esteemed venues throughout the country. In 2014, Jeff rededicated his life to Christ and began to focus more intimately on his relationship with God. He continued to perform as a solo musician, pianist, and producer for countless gospel groups, with the mission of using music to convey his unshakeable faith in the Lord. Jeff is survived by his loving wife Stacey and their four children. He will be greatly missed, not only by his family and in his community, but by gospel music fans everywhere. On behalf of the 11th Congressional District of Georgia, and the United States House of Representatives, I offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers to Mr. Jeff Stice's family and commend the legacy he leaves to his family and friends and the entire gospel music world.