Kenny Marchant

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address this chamber for the final time. It has been the highest honor of my life to represent Texas's 24th district in Congress over the past sixteen years. This district is a snapshot of what makes our country great. It has people from all walks of life and all different backgrounds, working hard for their families and building a vibrant local community. I have worked to bring that Texan work ethic to Washington and accomplished a great deal. We made our tax code simpler and fairer for middle class families. I worked across the aisle to improve access to quality health care and encouraged the building of affordable housing so that more people can call communities like ours ``home.'' There are so many people I would like to thank for their support. My wife Donna, my children Matthew, Luke, Kenny Junior, and Dallas, and my eight grandkids whom I am excited to spend more time with. My great staff, who have worked tirelessly on behalf of our district. And of course, the people of Texas's 24th District who entrusted me with this role. I end my time in Congress with pride and the knowledge that America's best days still lay ahead. God bless you all and God bless our great country.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I have had the high honor of representing the 24th Congressional District of Texas since 2005, and throughout the past sixteen years, I have been most fortunate to have only one District Director. My District Director, Susie Miller, has been the bedrock of my team, ensuring the highest levels of constituent outreach and service throughout the district. Her standards of service and professionalism are a model to others, as is the humble manner with which she goes about her work. She is an outstanding public servant in the truest fashion. Susie is the longest tenured staff member of the Team Marchant office, as her service dates back to when I was serving in the Texas House of Representatives. Her experience and knowledge of the district is irreplaceable. She has led an outstanding district office, one where her encouragement drives the staffers she supervises to achieve the best outcome for our constituents in every situation. Her impact was not limited to the district, but was felt in Washington, D.C. as well. Susie was instrumental in fostering a great working relationship between my Washington and Texas offices. All too often, I will hear my colleagues complain about needless tensions between their Washington and district offices. That was never the case for me, in large part because of Susie and her constant dedication to ensure all staffers were on the same page and supported each other. Truth be told, the Washington office always looked forward to the frequent deliveries of Girl Scout cookie care packages that Susie would send--of course, those cookies didn't last long. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Susie Miller for her many years of service and to also express our gratitude to the entire Miller family, her husband Doug and their sons Doug, Jr. and Rick. They have been most supportive of Susie with her work at odd hours of the day and on weekends. Like many of our staffers, Susie's work was not limited by the nine-to-five schedule, often requiring work on the weekends or after hours. I know that Susie will miss much about the job when she retires from being a Congressional staffer at the end of this Congress, but perhaps the late evening and weekend emergency phone calls will not be missed too much. I thank Susie for all of her hard work, I could not have done my job without her.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a long-standing Capitol Hill veteran, Chris Donesa. For this Congress, I have had the honor of serving as Ranking Member for the House Ethics Committee, and would like to honor someone who played a critical and important role in supporting me. For the past two years Chris has served as Counsel to the Ranking Member for the House Ethics Committee. This is an extraordinary assignment to accept, and Chris has conducted himself with the highest levels of professionalism and legal scholarly advice. He has been integral and pivotal in assisting my fellow Republican Members of the Ethics Committee and me this Congress. A native of Indiana, Chris has a deep commitment to public service that has continued throughout more than three decades of service in the House of Representatives. A Congressional jack of all trades, immediately prior to his service with the Ethics Committee, Chris served as Legal Counsel to the Clerk of the House. I am most fortunate that Chris brought his vast experiences and great wisdom to help my fellow Members of the Ethics Committee and me during this Congress. The House Ethics Committee is unique amongst the committees in this chamber, as it is evenly split between the Majority and Minority parties. The committee fulfils many key roles for the House community in providing advice, education, and training to help ensure proper compliance. Perhaps the most difficult assignment for the Ethics Committee is to stand in judgment of Members and staffers when they are accused of potential wrongdoing. It takes a very special staffer to serve in this role--someone of the highest integrity and character, coupled with the desire to serve in a position that is often met with unique challenges and high stress. I could not ask for a better person than Chris to fulfill this essential role for me and the greater House community. Chris has earned himself a well-deserved retirement at the conclusion of this Congress. However, knowing Chris, I know he won't sit still for long and I wish him all the very best for his continued service and new endeavors. I ask for all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Chris Donesa for his service to the House Ethics Committee.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my first and only Chief of Staff, Brian Thomas. I have had the high honor of serving in Congress since 2005, and Brian Thomas has been my right-hand man every step of the way on this amazing journey. Through the good days and the most difficult ones, Brian has been a constant professional and source of wise counsel. I consider myself very fortunate and blessed to have only had one Chief of Staff during my entire service in the House, and I could not have asked for a better man for the job than Brian Thomas. Brian will soon retire as the Dean of the Texas Republican Chiefs of Staff, an honor he has held for the last several years. Brian's service to the people of his home state of Texas did not start in my office, as he worked for our former colleagues Sam Johnson and Jeb Hensarling, in addition to our current colleague Mac Thornberry. Hailing from Denver City, Texas and a graduate of McMurry University in Abilene, Brian never forgot his Texan roots, though he did do two tours outside of the Texas delegation for Charlie Norwood and Chuck Hagel. Brian celebrates a collective twenty-five years of Congressional service this month, a truly outstanding accomplishment that only a small number of Congressional staffers ever reach. We could not do our jobs without the dedicated service of our staff who are always working behind the scenes. Brian's advice, experience, and especially his hard work, which often occurs at odd hours of the day and night, have all played a large role in helping me best represent the 24th Congressional District. Brian will be greatly missed by so many upon his retirement as a Congressional staffer. His constant service is something not often found on the Hill, where frequent transitions are the norm. Throughout his career, Brian served as a mentor to staffers in not only my office, but also to those working for other members. No task was ever too big or too small for Brian, from answering the main line of the office telephone, to dealing with intense negotiations with leadership, Brian was always there for me and his colleagues. I hope that in the coming years, Brian's friends and colleagues will continue to ask for his sage advice--once a hill staffer, always a hill staffer. I congratulate Brian on his remarkable twenty-five years of Congressional service and for leading my Washington, D.C. office for the people of the 24th Congressional district the last sixteen years. I wish him, his wonderful wife Amy, and their three adorable children, Allie Ross, Jack, and John all the very best for the holiday season and a well-earned Congressional retirement for Brian.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Scott Cunningham, a member of my staff for over thirteen years, for his outstanding and dedicated service to the United States House of Representatives and to the Twenty-Fourth Congressional District of Texas. A Dallas native, Scott first came to Capitol Hill in 1999 as a congressional intern for Congressman Pete Sessions and would return to intern again for each of the next two summers. In 2007, he joined my staff and has continued to serve the people of the 24th District of Texas with energy and integrity, first as my policy director and then as my legislative director and deputy chief of staff. He is currently my senior advisor, counseling and supporting me in my role as the Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee. Much of Scott's day-to-day work is now behind-the-scenes, but his passion for public policy is still evident. He has handled each issue area for my team at some point during his tenure, even serving as a one-man legislative team for five months. As hectic as that time may have been, I also know that Scott stresses about nothing more than managing my flights. I am sure I would not have made it to Washington every week without him. Scott's contributions were not limited to legislative work. He is known for his servant's heart and is never happier than when he is able to help a constituent with a casework issue. Whether it takes only five minutes or a full five years to solve, Scott is always determined to see a job through to the end. He came to Capitol Hill all those years ago to help people, especially his fellow Texans, and any of my constituents who have worked with him can attest to the fact that he has succeeded. I am not sure what my tenure in Congress would have been like without Scott Cunningham as part of my team, and not only because he drew the first-place selection in the Congressional office lottery twice for me and his coworkers. Scott's loyalty, determination, and focus on giving back all informed how my team and I approached our work here on Capitol Hill. On behalf of myself and the people of Texas's 24th District, I thank him for his thirteen years of service and wish him the very best on his future endeavors.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a dear friend and classmate, Dr. Randall Spindle, in honor of his upcoming retirement from Southern Nazarene University (SNU) in Bethany, Oklahoma. Long before he became a professor of history and business, I met Dr. Spindle as a fellow freshman classmate in the fall of 1969 at SNU. Little did I know at that time what a remarkable friend I had just made. His love and dedication for our alma mater has spanned decades and generations of students. He will be greatly missed when he leaves campus for the last time as a member of the faculty, but I imagine he will still be actively involved in SNU in his retirement. Dr. Spindle's career touched on so many different facets of life on campus, much more than an ordinary professor. He viewed the school through many different perspectives, with each one allowing him to be a better leader on campus and for the thousands of students he helped educate. His association with the school started long before I knew him. As a young teenager he earned his first paycheck digging trenches for the construction of Snowbarger Hall. Years later after his graduation from SNU, he returned to campus in 1976 and served as the Resident Director of Snowbarger Hall for three years, literally serving at a building he helped construct. During his time as Resident Director, he earned his master's degree, the first of his advanced degrees. Randall would later complete a doctorate from Oklahoma State in 1981 and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1991. I can think of nobody else who has helped build as a teenager, went to as a college student, and then taught for decades all at the same institution. This is the triple crown of loyalty, for which we honor him today. His dedication to the school is unmatched in both service and impact. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Randall Spindle's long career at Southern Nazarene University and wish him all the very best for a well-earned retirement.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, the ranking member urges the House to vote ``aye'' on this matter, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko).

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch), for yielding the time to our side. I want to thank the chairman for his service to the House. I have appreciated working with him in Congress and look forward to our continued service in the next few months. The Ethics Committee is the only evenly divided committee in the House. We are a consensus-based committee. Through the hard work of many Members and professional staff of the Ethics Committee, we have brought forward this report today by unanimous vote in the committee regarding our fellow House Member, Representative David Schweikert of Arizona. The Ethics Committee has been entrusted to fulfill the constitutional obligation and responsibility for admonishing Members and staff when appropriate. This is not a duty that we take lightly--far from it--but it is essential in maintaining the public's trust of our Chamber. I want to thank the four Members who served on the investigative subcommittee. This was no easy burden on the investigative subcommittee, led by Congressman Dean Phillips and Mr. Bill Flores as the chairman and ranking member of the panel. They were joined by Congressman Jamie Raskin and Congressman John Katko. Collectively, the investigative subcommittee met 22 times during this 116th Congress and four times in the previous Congress. They reviewed over 200,000 pages of evidence and materials and conducted 18 witness interviews. The members took their charge with great care and diligence to ensure a thorough and fair process, and I thank them for that. They worked through some very complex material and have produced today's report. I join the chairman in thanking them for their service. I encourage all Members and staff to read the report, as it contains significant guidance on proper use of the Members' Representational Allowance, also known as the MRA; the reporting of campaign funds; the proper use of official resources; and financial disclosure. The gentleman from Arizona and his legal counsel have participated in this lengthy process with both the investigative subcommittee and the full Ethics Committee. It now rests with the House to accept this report and its recommendations, and I support its swift and favorable passage this morning. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Charles and Sherry Dobis on their 50th wedding anniversary. July 25th marks five decades of devoted matrimony for these two esteemed citizens of Irving, Texas. Originally from Gary, Indiana, ``Chuck'' and Sherry married in their hometown, and have since accompanied each other on a journey of personal and professional accomplishments. In 1971, Chuck graduated from the School of Pharmacy at Purdue University where he was a member of Pi Kappa Psi. For the past 49 years, he has been licensed to practice pharmacy in Indiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Throughout his distinguished career, he has assumed a variety of leadership roles which include President of the St. Joseph County Pharmacist Association; Chairman and President of the Indiana Pharmacist Association (IPA); founding Chairman of the IPA PAC; and Chairman and Treasurer of the American Pharmaceutical Association (AphA) PAC. In 1979, Sherry also graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree, and continued to enhance her qualifications through a program at the South Bend Medical Foundation. Seeking to further her studies, she obtained her Masters in Public Administration (MPA, '90) from Indiana University where she was involved in the Pi Alpha Alpha honor society. Sherry's professional roles have been extensive. Over the span of her fruitful career, she has served as a Medical Tech. at Mishiana Community Hospital, Lab Director at LaPorte Hospital, Lab Administrator at Parkview Hospital in Vicksburg, MS, Senior Director for Laboratory, Respiratory and Business services at VHA in Dallas, and Vice President for Business Development at Health Network Laboratories in Allentown, PA. Chuck and Sherry are now semi-retired, but they remain actively involved in the Catholic community and enjoy travelling, reading, gardening, crafting, orchestra and fly tying/fishing. They are also the proud parents of Diane Dobis and loving grandparents of Anthony, Christina, and Vivian Dobis, all of whom reside in Irving, Texas. As Chuck and Sherry's journey continues to unfold, may their commitment to one another continue to serve as an example of how love and dedication can enrich our lives. Madam Speaker, I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing this noteworthy milestone, the 50-year wedding anniversary of Chuck and Sherry Dobis.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a very special constituent of the 24th Congressional District, my son, Luke Beckett Marchant. Tomorrow, Luke celebrates his 40th birthday with his wife, Katie, and their two young children, Walker Ross and Carter Bailey. While working in Austin in an internship during college, he worked for Senator Ken Armbrister. After learning the ropes in the Texas Senate, he shifted gears to run and manage the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples. Luke graduated from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma, in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and promptly came up to Washington, D.C., in hopes of finding himself a job in public service. I offered to put Luke up at the Pentagon Days Inn in Arlington, VA, for two weeks while he hit the pavement on Capitol Hill in hopes of landing a job as a recent college graduate. After wearing out considerable shoe leather, Luke was hired to work in the mail room for Senator John Cornyn and later learned every street in the nation's capital while navigating the Senator around town as his driver. He quickly rose up through the ranks while never forgetting that he came to work each day to better serve the people of Texas to the best of his ability. Luke's passion for political life has taken him from Maine to Kentucky; Florida to our Lone Star State. He would go on to work for our colleagues Congressman Pete Olson and Senator Marco Rubio. I'm fiercely proud to note that he also worked for Texas Attorney General and now Governor Greg Abbott. Even though Luke has journeyed across our great country, it was deep in the heart of Texas, working on Pete Olson's first run for Congress, when Luke got luckiest. There he met his future wife, Katie, and it changed his life. I'm so proud of the man he has become and the family he and Katie have built. l look forward to spending more time with them and their children at our ranch. Since December 2016, Luke has served as Vice President for Hill and Knowlton Strategies in Dallas, Texas. I would like to say that I taught him everything that he knows, but that hasn't been true for a very long time. Nowadays he has been teaching his old man plenty. I wish Luke a wonderful last day of his 30s today, and ask all of my colleagues to join this proud father in wishing him a very happy 40th birthday tomorrow.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, after consulting with physicians about traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was not able to make it to Washington for this vote, but I would have voted NO on H.R. 7120, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020. Instituting common-sense police reforms is a bipartisan goal, but this bill is unfortunately an exercise in partisan politics. I continue to support the JUSTICE Act put forth by Senator Tim Scott, which contains many bipartisan reform measures, and urge the Speaker to bring it before the House for a vote.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my granddaughter, Hayden Marie Marchant, upon her eighth-grade graduation at The Hockaday School on May 21, 2020. Located within my congressional district in Dallas, Texas, Hockaday was founded in 1913, and has since developed into a beacon of educational excellence that draws students from across the country and around the world. As Hayden successfully completes her middle school education, our family is proud to celebrate her impressive accomplishments. Aside from managing her academic responsibilities, Hayden has proven to be a dedicated athlete by participating in volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball. Off the field, she has excelled in other extracurriculars, as demonstrated by her multiple awards at the State Fair of Texas Lego competition and her recent portrayal of Von Hussler in Hockaday's performance of Mary Poppins. Hayden has also displayed an entrepreneurial spirit by launching her own business, ``Rocking M Beads'', which she continues to run and operate. Her friends and relatives all agree that she is outstanding in her field. Students at Hockaday celebrate the conclusion of their middle school experience by arriving at their graduation ceremony in traditional white dresses and listening to congratulatory remarks from the administration, faculty, and a chosen student speaker. This final event serves as a rite-of-passage that prepares students to assume the added responsibilities of their upper-school years. Hayden continues to make her parents, Matthew and Lindsay, extremely proud. Her two sets of grandparents, Donna Marchant and myself, and Rod and Sherry Hill of Frisco, Texas, could not be prouder of the young woman that she is becoming. Hayden truly embodies the four cornerstones of The Hockaday School: character, courtesy, scholarship, and athletics. Our entire family is excited for Hayden's continued progress. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Hayden Marchant and The Hockaday School Class of 2024 on their eighth-grade graduation. As every school across the nation has been negatively impacted over the past few months, I would also like to recognize the teachers, administrators, and support staff that have been working hard to meet the educational needs of our youth.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, after consulting with physicians about traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was not able to make it to Washington for this vote, but I would have voted YES on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 266. Our local small businesses are facing unprecedented circumstances due to the COVID-19 crisis, with many struggling to keep all of their employees on payroll. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was a solution passed unanimously by the House just a few weeks ago, providing loans that keep Americans employed across the country. It was no surprise that demand for these loans was high, but it was a surprise to see members of Congress hold up more funding for the PPP over partisan political demands. I am glad to see my colleagues on the other side of the aisle finally bring up this vital bill for a vote today to provide the relief that so many businesses and workers need. Estimates already predict that this additional funding will keep over 103,000 workers on payroll. Unfortunately, the Speaker's push for the creation of a new select committee to conduct oversight of the response to COVID-19 is another attempt to use taxpayer dollars to fulfill partisan goals. There are already eight different mechanisms in place for the House to exercise oversight over the response to this virus, making this new one completely redundant. It is clear that this committee is intended to score political points against the President rather than improve our pandemic response. If that is the goal, it should be funded by their campaigns, not by American taxpayers. That is why I would have voted NO on the Resolution Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pastor Robert Morris and his wife, Debbie, for twenty years of leadership, service and worship at Gateway Church in my District. Their tireless efforts to spread the word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ have reached countless believers over the past two decades. Since they founded Gateway Church in the year 2000, Pastor Robert and Debbie Morris have endeavored to create a spiritual impact on the Dallas/Fort Worth area and beyond. Twenty years ago, they began that journey by meeting with a small group of thirty individuals in their living room to pray for their upcoming ministry that would soon be headquartered in Southlake, Texas. What grew into a congregation of 180 people during their first Easter service now encompasses more than 71,000 attendees across multiple campuses in North Texas. As head pastor, Robert Morris has proven to be an exceptional leader to the Gateway community, guided by a mission to truly care for others and trust God. That resonating message has resulted in the production of a television program that airs in over 190 countries and a radio show broadcast to more than 1,800 stations across America. Gateway's widespread following is a working testament of its vision to see people ``saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving.'' Together, Pastor Robert and Debbie Morris have ensured the enduring growth and prosperity of Gateway's congregation. With the support of their family and the spirit of service at heart, they have created lasting change that will continue to affect thousands in North Texas and around the world. Madam Speaker, on this twentieth anniversary of Gateway's first Easter service, I am proud to recognize their tremendous impact on our community. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating their success.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate thirty- three outstanding students from the Hurst Euless Bedford Independent School District who have been selected to receive the District's Awards of Excellence for the 2019-2020 school year. These accomplished students possess unique talents that have enabled them to succeed in their respective disciplines. This year's recipients have been recognized for their achievements in a diverse field of subjects which include visual and performing arts, business and industry, science, mathematics, and communications to name but a few. Through their hard work and dedication, the following young men and women have built a strong foundation upon which they will continue to enhance their education. Asim Adhikari, Kierra Ashford, Lexie Barthelemess, Khaezer Xann Bellen, Indya Bobb, Erin Brewer, Melanie Butcher, Tanvi Dalal, Kameron Dancy, Antoni Davila, Marcos De La Liana, Zachary Deande, Giandre Dejesus, Maliabo Diamba, Sofia Dominguez, Lyra Ehninger, Anna Maria Glowacki, Myra Gordon, Mason Hunter-Gray, Kya Jordan, Charlotte Lewis, Alec Liu, Savannah Lo, James Mahon VI, Hayley Otteson, Elizabeth Perry, Alana Rada Pico, Nicolas Sears, Devashree Shah, Grant Trusty, Mahanga Uhilamoelangi, Yulisa Villeda, Allyrica Williams. In addition to recognizing the above, I would like to take this oppmtunity to thank the instructors who have worked tirelessly to ensure the needs of their students are met. It is with great praise that I recognize the following teachers from Hurst Hills Elementary, Central Junior High, L.D. Bell, Buinger CTE Academy, KEYS, and Trinity High School for their invaluable role as educators: Lauren Allen, Jo Ann Antinone, Shawn Bemis, Andy Bloodworth, Pamela Bracken, Tammy Brown, Mario Casanova, Monica Chavez, Jennifer Choate, Amanda Collins, Ken Davis, Michael Dean, Bianca Diaz, John Fetters, Kenda Fries, Mark Gustafson, Candace Harris, Tara Hernandez, Susan Kaufman, Cathy Kazyaka, Courtney Koder, Amelia Langi, Stormee Massey, Allen Matthews, Laurel McClanahan, Karen McCurdy, Joseph Mendenhall, Thomas Montelongo, Alyssa Nabors, Amanda Stevens, Kent Wooley. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize these outstanding students and teachers and congratulate them on their admirable achievements. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating the recipients of the 2020 HEB ISD Awards of Excellence.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Todd Martin, a member of my District Office staff for over a decade, for his outstanding and dedicated service to the United States House of Representatives and to the Twenty-Fourth Congressional District of Texas. Todd joined my staff over ten years ago initially as an intern, following his graduation from Baylor University in Waco, Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. He didn't stay an intern for very long, as with his sharp talents he was quickly hired on to the permanent district office staff as the Director of District Affairs. Throughout his time in my office, Todd has been an integral part of the team, working diligently to provide outstanding constituent service and helping to manage the daily operations of the district office. During this time, Todd has conducted himself with the utmost dedication and professionalism, ensuring the needs of every constituent he encountered were addressed to the fullest extent possible. Going above and beyond the normal expectations of a Congressional staffer is a normal day for Todd. Todd's tireless efforts ensured countless constituents received federal assistance, unpaid benefits, and additional earned services provided by the federal government which may have been delayed, misplaced, or unknown to the constituent. Additionally, Todd's efforts on the ground in the District ensured the legislative needs of constituents were heard and communicated to myself and my legislative team in Washington, D.C. This work often goes unnoticed but was instrumental in ensuring voices of the 24th District were constantly heard in Congress. Todd's commitment to public service is apparent in his pursuit of excellence in the public sector. During his time on my staff, Todd acquired a master's in public administration from the University of North Texas in 2012, further improving his abilities to serve the American public. In a very bittersweet moment, this upcoming Friday, February 28th will be Todd's last day working for the people of the Twenty-Fourth Congressional District. He will leave as the fourth longest serving staffer in the office during my time in Congress. Todd will be continuing his commitment to public service in a new capacity, as he will soon be working for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the contributions Todd has made to the 24th Congressional District of Texas, The State of Texas, and the United States of America. I ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Todd Martin and his outstanding service. We wish him well in his next chapter of public service.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lisa Williams for her tireless devotion to helping victims of human trafficking overcome the many challenges they face. As a distinguished leader in the non-profit community, Lisa has been working to counter the tragic effects of child abuse and sexual exploitation since she founded Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life, Inc. in 1999. From the outset, Circle of Friends has collaborated with various stakeholders to fundraise and create awareness about the systemic issues that human trafficking presents to communities across the country. Under Lisa's guidance, other programs were established to further this goal, such as Living Water for Women, Living Water for Girls and the Living Water Learning Resource Center. Through these channels, Lisa has focused on providing services that are based on proven intervention and rehabilitative strategies, such as creating spaces for safe refuge, delivering therapeutic treatments, and facilitating educational and career opportunities for victims of sex trafficking. For over twenty years, Lisa's work has enabled women and children to heal by way of an extensive network of support services. Her efforts will continue through the Circle of Friends Impact Legacy Scholarship Fund, a dollar-for-dollar, matched endowment that is administered by the Century Challenge at Boston University. The Circle of Friends scholarship fund will empower survivors of adverse sexual experiences to pursue an education and achieve self-sufficiency. Ms. Williams's philanthropic endeavors have undoubtedly served as a beacon of hope to many. Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize the remarkable work that Lisa has produced in support of human trafficking victims. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Lisa Williams for her distinguished years of service.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, due to a family emergency, I have been unable to travel to Washington, D.C., and missed votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote No. 14, I would have voted aye; Rollcall vote No. 15, I would have voted aye; Rollcall vote No. 16, I would have voted nay; Rollcall vote No. 17, I would have voted nay; Rollcall vote No. 18, I would have voted nay; Rollcall vote No. 19, I would have voted nay; Rollcall vote No. 20, I would have voted aye; Rollcall vote No. 21, I would have voted nay; and Rollcall vote No. 22, I would have voted nay.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Brian Hintz on his well-earned retirement from the Grapevine Police Department after more than twenty years of dedicated service. Brian is a hardworking and highly respected Senior Officer at the Grapevine Police Department. He has honorably served as an officer in the state of Texas since beginning his distinguished career with the Midland Police Department in August of 1990. During his time in Midland, Brian served as a K-9 officer along with his K-9 partners, Lex and Rio. In 1999, Brian joined the Grapevine Police Department where he has served for more than two decades with the K-9 unit. Attaining the rank of Senior Officer, Brian has received numerous recognitions throughout his career, including the 2014 Medal of Valor and the 2016 Life Saving Award. Furthermore, Brian, along with his K-9 partners Darby and Brinkley, have won numerous K-9 competition awards, advancing to the United States Police Canine Association Nationals. Brian's commitment to service is apparent through these outstanding achievements, and his dedication to continuing his law enforcement career is demonstrated through the 6,791 training hours that he has accumulated. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the exhaustive work that Brian has contributed to the City of Grapevine and the state of Texas. I applaud his work and ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Senior Officer Brian Hintz for his many years of service.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is a revolutionary trade deal that will usher in a new era of economic prosperity and growth for Americans across the country. Texas, in particular, stands ready to thrive under this agreement. Our State exports more to Mexico than any other and is second in exports to Canada. Each year, over $135 billion worth of Texan goods are sent to our two closest trading partners, supporting over 114,000 jobs in Texas. The reforms in the USMCA will ensure that we continue to have free and fair access to international marketplaces, keeping prices low for Americans and business booming for business and workers. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member, my good friend, for shepherding this through. Members on the other side of the aisle, I have been in legislatures for a long time, and I always believed that, on this bill, you were trying to get to ``yes'' on it. I appreciate the hours that you met, and Texas will appreciate every vote that is cast for this bill.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sergeant Carl Coats on his well-earned retirement from the Grapevine Police Department. After twenty-five years of dedicated service, Carl has distinguished himself as a respected member of the Grapevine police force. Beginning his career with the United States Marine Corps, Carl attained the rank of Sergeant and served as a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassies in Prague, Czechoslovakia and Quito, Ecuador. Transitioning to law enforcement in 1990, Carl served four years as a correctional officer with the Cooke County Sheriffs Department in Gainesville, Texas. In addition to that experience, he graduated from the police academy and subsequently became Deputy Sheriff. In 1994, Carl joined the Grapevine Police Department where he has devotedly served as Patrol Officer, Detective, CID Sergeant and Patrol Sergeant. As evidence of his dedication to professional development, Carl is a graduate of the School of Police Supervision through the Institute for Law Enforcement. Through rigorous instruction, Carl has also obtained his Master Peace Officer's License- the highest level of its kind. Carl's colleagues, supervisors and community members have expressed their deepest appreciation for his accomplished service. Specializing in child protection and physical abuse investigation, Carl has earned twenty-four commendations to date. In 1999, Carl received the Life Saving Award for his rescue of a five-year-old autistic child from a swimming pool. The following year, he developed a multidisciplinary team approach to investigate shaken baby syndrome. Carl also received the 2002 Advocate of the Year Award from the Tarrant County Crime Prevention Resource Center, honoring his efforts in promoting safety for women and children in the community. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the excellence of Carl's work which has repeatedly been commended as an invaluable asset to both the City and the Grapevine Police Department. His legacy will leave a lasting mark. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Sergeant Carl Coats for his numerous years of service.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Love Thy Baby on twenty years of exemplary service to newborns and their families in North Texas. Love Thy Baby is a Dallas-area, non-profit organization that provides support to families of newborns experiencing an economic or health crisis. By supplying blankets, quilts and clothing to families in need, Love Thy Baby helps to ensure a standard of comfort and warmth for infants in our communities. The organization also coordinates monthly deliveries to healthcare facilities such as Parkland Hospital in Dallas, John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, and PediPlace Pediatric Clinics, among others. On October 11, 1999, Patricia Clay-Jolly created the Dallas Chapter of Newborns in Need upon identifying a demand for warm blankets, clothing, and other essentials for newborn babies at Parkland Hospital. The organization would go on to provide tens of thousands of items to newborns and their families. In January 2015, Newborns in Need integrated into the organization, Love Thy Neighbor, ultimately changing its name to `Love Thy Baby'. Today, Love Thy Baby has 120 active volunteers and provides over 40,000 new items every year. Furthermore, Love Thy Baby donates over 10,000 gently used items to other area nonprofits including Hope 4 Refugees, Sharing Life, Nexus, Family Place, and White Rock Center of Hope. Madam Speaker, Love Thy Baby's incredible contributions to the newborn children of North Texas has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of so many North Texas families. Such an accomplishment should not go without recognition and I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in thanking Love Thy Baby for their twenty years of service.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, if innovation is the lifeblood of our nation's economy, then the Dallas-Fort Worth region might very well be considered our country's heart. World-class research hospitals and several leading pharmaceutical companies call DFW home, where they create life-saving treatments while keeping our local economy strong. Their continued success, however, depends on their access to international marketplaces, especially those in Canada and Mexico. That is why passing the United States Mexico Canada Agreement, or ``USMCA,'' is so important. One of the biggest concerns that I hear from innovators in my district is the protection of their intellectual property (IP) rights in the international marketplace. President Trump and Trade Ambassador Lighthizer have delivered on this issue by installing robust IP protections into this trade agreement with Canada and Mexico. The USMCA provisions that strengthen patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets protections mean that innovators can spend less time worrying about protecting their IP rights and more time creating products and Texas jobs. Not only will this job creation boost the American and Texan economies, but it will also benefit two of our country's strongest trading partners. In 2017, Texas alone exported $127 billion in products to Canada and Mexico, with 72 percent of the materials imported by Texan manufacturers coming from those same countries. The Texas economy flourishes from its trade relationship with these countries, and in the end, trade with Mexico and Canada supports 948,900 jobs in our state. Many Americans are already living in the strongest economy of their lifetimes, and the USMCA is critical to ensuring that our country's industries can continue to prosper and sell their goods freely and fairly across the globe. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage and ask that it be brought up for a vote as soon as possible.

Mr. MARCHANT

Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Richard Bradshaw on his well-earned retirement from the Grapevine Police Department. After twenty-four years of service as a Crime Scene Technician, Richard has created a lasting impact on the department by working tirelessly to preserve the public safety. Richard began his career in law enforcement by honorably serving as a military police officer with the United States Army in 1972. He continued his service as a Sergeant with the police department in the Army Active Reserve until 1978. During that time, he also earned his associate's degree in Criminal Justice and served as a police officer for the Penn Hill Police Department in Pennsylvania until December of 1979. In 1980, Richard joined the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Police where he served as both a police officer and an aircraft rescue firefighter. On August 14, 1995, Richard joined the Grapevine Police Department as a Crime Scene Technician and has proven invaluable to the collection of critical evidence in major criminal investigations. During his tenure in Grapevine, Richard has produced a quality of work that has earned him the respect of his colleagues, supervisors, and the community. His commitment to professional development has driven him to complete more than 1400 hours of training and stands as evidence of his outstanding service and professionalism. Richard's contributions to law enforcement operations have helped to ensure that countless officers have been adequately supported in their mission to uphold the rule of law. His legacy will leave a lasting mark on the City of Grapevine for many years to come. Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize the dedication that Richard has devoted to the city of Grapevine and the state of Texas. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing Richard Bradshaw for his many years of service.