Gregory Murphy

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an incredible pediatrician, Dr. David Tayloe of Goldsboro, North Carolina, who has spent his lifetime advocating for children's health and well-being. At the beginning of his career, Dr. Tayloe already had an aptitude for recognizing the needs of his community. In 1977, when Dr. Tayloe was a solo pediatrician, he helped establish a level II Neonatal Unit at Wayne Memorial Hospital to help bring care to sick newborns. He has spearheaded systemic changes in our school systems to help low-income and at-risk children receive healthcare resources and special literacy tutoring. Due to Dr. Tayloe's father being held legally responsible in a child vaccine injury lawsuit involving a developmentally disabled child who received a state-mandated vaccine, he was determined to find a solution to the vaccine liability crisis. His legislative advocacy proved successful. In 1986, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation to provide liability protection for physicians when giving state-required vaccines to minors. As all can see, Dr. Tayloe is most talented at wearing two hats as an advocate and a pediatrician. Dr. Tayloe's good deeds extend far beyond Wayne County and the State of North Carolina. While serving in multiple leadership roles at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), including President, Dr. Tayloe made trips to the Middle East to help translate AAP materials into Arabic and to ensure more pediatricians around the globe could have access to AAP documents through low-cost international membership. Dr. Tayloe has received numerous awards for his achievements. While this is only a sliver of Dr. Tayloe's long list of accomplishments and sacrifices to his community, I am grateful for the opportunity to extend Congress's sincerest appreciation and recognition to him. Dr. Tayloe is undoubtedly the epitome of servant leadership and has greatly contributed to fostering a healthier society in his community, State, and around the world. Please join me in honoring this outstanding American.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Chair, even the ranking member said earlier today-- let's roll back the film--there is a nursing shortage. There is a nursing shortage in our country. While the rule may be well-intentioned and it makes you feel good, the nurses aren't there. They can't just come out of the middle of nowhere. They just can't. I would love for there to be more nurses. We could open up more beds at our hospitals and take care of more patients. They are not there. They are not there, and this is where the Democrats are just so out of touch. I get that it makes them feel great. I am happy, but when reality strikes, it is hard. We don't have the nurses. Then you mandate these nursing homes to have nurses that they don't have, so guess what? They close. Now, where are your parents going to stay? Where are your grandparents going to stay? Nowhere. It is absolutely out of mind that this is being proposed because CMS is absolutely out of touch with reality for the day. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to vote for this amendment. It actually makes sense where the rule does not, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Chair, I rise this evening to try to correct a grave error made by CMS. My amendment would prohibit funds from being used to finalize, implement, or enforce CMS's proposed nursing home staffing mandate rule. It is insane. The proposed rule would require nursing homes to provide 24/7 onsite registered nurse coverage and a minimum of 0.55 RN and 2.45 nurse aide hours per resident day. As CMS noted in the proposed rule, the proposed NA and RN requirements exceed those in nearly all States, and if finalized, these new floors would increase staffing in more than 75 percent of nursing homes nationwide. In other words, more than three-quarters of nursing homes in America today would not be compliant if the proposal went into effect. To comply with the hours per resident day requirement, urban facilities would be required to hire an additional 10,495 RNs and 61,348 NAs, while rural facilities would be required to hire an additional 2,100 RNs, 15,000 NAs. Likewise, to comply with the 24/7 RN requirement, an additional 1,900 RNs would be needed in urban areas, 1,300 in rural areas. Collectively, the nationwide compliance cost for nursing homes is estimated to be $40 billion over the next 10 years. Those are CMS's own estimates. Additionally, the rule requires States to collect and report on compensation for workers as a percentage of Medicaid payments for those working in nursing homes and intermediate care facilities, but for providers alone, implementation costs would be $9 million per year for 4 years, or $36 million over 4 years, and once the rule goes into effect in year 5, an additional $18 million per year for 6 years, totaling $144 million over the decade. Mr. Chairman, I recognize the need to ensure that patients receive high-quality healthcare service. I have been doing it for 35 years. However, this rule as proposed would exacerbate existing workforce constraints throughout the Nation, particularly in rural communities, increase burdensome reporting requirements, and substantially impact the finances of nursing homes, ultimately limiting seniors' access to critical healthcare services. It is an unfunded mandate on under-resourced facilities, and it is absolutely out of touch with reality. In a study released just last week, more than 60 percent of nursing students today in nursing school don't even plan to treat patients after graduation. We have a massive shortage now. We are not going to have ones coming in the future. How in the hell are we going to implement this going forward? Where are the nurses going to come from? The ranking member of Connecticut said earlier today during general debate that we have a shortage of nurses today. I absolutely agree. This is not a partisan issue. I would encourage CMS to work with Congress on reforms needed to ensure seniors receive the highest quality care. I encourage Members to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of amendment No. 122, which will prevent funds from being used to finalize or implement the proposed HHS Medicaid Drug Rebate Program rule. This rule makes unnecessary changes to the MDRP that have been in place for decades. If implemented, the proposed MDRP rule will discourage research and the development of medicines while jeopardizing Medicaid beneficiaries' access to affordable drugs. This change would be bad for patients, bad for doctors, and bad for manufacturers. This rule is yet another overreach by unelected bureaucrats trying to make health decisions for our constituents without any statutory authority to do so. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and stop this rule from taking effect, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Chair, I rise as the designee for the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Miller), and I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan amendments submitted by myself and my friend Congressman Costa which would transfer $1 million from the HHS Secretary's general department management account to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to begin to design the infrastructure for the Pediatric- Onset Epilepsies Consortium. The Consortium would enable cooperative research studies, accelerate the development of knowledge about the epilepsies, and rapidly advance therapeutic options and their implementation to improve treatments and healthcare outcomes. As a co-chair of the Congressional Epilepsy Caucus, along with Congressman Costa, I am proud to offer this bipartisan amendment to support millions of Americans with epilepsy. Just to give you a few statistics. More than 3.4 million individuals and their families are affected by epilepsy in the U.S. today, with nearly 500,000 children having epilepsy in the United States. One in 26 individuals will be diagnosed with epilepsy during their lifetime. As November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, we must continue to build awareness around epilepsy, reduce the stigma applied to it, and educate the public and physicians on epilepsy disorders. I thank Representative Costa for his support and co-leading this amendment. This is personal to me, as I have a child who has dealt with epilepsy now for close to 16 years and is doing well, but I want other individuals from across the country to do well also. Mr. Chair, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on the amendment.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor those servicemembers whose lives were taken in the tragic Beirut bombing 40 years ago. On October 23, 1983, 2 suicide bombers took the lives of 220 marines, 18 sailors, and 3 soldiers at the marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, wounding another 128 Americans. A few minutes later, in a coordinated attack, another suicide bomber blew up the French barracks about 4 miles away, killing 58 French paratroopers. On Monday, my good friend Congressman Greg Pence--who had been stationed in these barracks not a week prior to the attack--and I attended the 40th anniversary memorial service in my district, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Jacksonville is home to the world renowned Camp Lejeune, for which the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit deployed to Beirut under the direction of President Ronald Reagan. Their mission was a peacekeeping one. Today, etched in the stone of the Beirut Memorial in Jacksonville is a line that reads: ``They came in peace.'' Eastern North Carolina continues to grief today for the loss of life and the loss of loved ones in the devastating attack 40 years ago. Mr. Speaker, in honor of these fallen heroes, I ask that the House observe a moment of silence.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Chair, I recognize the MVP of the baseball team very much for his heroic athletic ability during the climactic game that we had. I rise today in support of H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' civil works projects and the Department of Energy to enhance our energy security and bolster our economic competitiveness in FY24. Under President Biden, Americans have been forced to pay record prices at the pump, and our Strategic Petroleum Reserve has been decimated. We have become further reliant on China for critical minerals, crushed by overregulation, and watched the woke agenda destroy America's energy independence. This legislation rolls back America-last policies; robustly funds construction, operation, and maintenance of our Nation's ports and inland waterways; and provides $34.8 million for dredging in North Carolina's Third District alone. This bill includes $6.3 million for dredging the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway--we call it the ICW--which is vital to the commercial and recreational fishing industry in my district, and $18 million for dredging the Morehead City port, where our Marine expeditionary units deploy from Navy amphibious ships and play a vital role in our national security. God forbid we have to use them soon. Also included is funding for other important inlets that our fishing industry and ferries rely on, such as Manteo Bay, New River Inlet, Rollinson Channel, New Topsail Inlet and connecting channels, as well as Silver Lake Harbor. Lastly, it includes $5.2 million for the channel from Back Sound to Lookout Bight, which connects the ferry system to Cape Lookout. It has not been dredged in over 30 years, and it is common for vessels to run aground that must be pulled off the shoal with a very expensive movement by the U.S. Coast Guard. I am very grateful for the work of Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Fleischmann, aka the MVP of the baseball team, for putting forward a bill that recognizes the unique challenges and needs of our coastal communities across the country. Mr. Chair, I support this year's energy and water development appropriations bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor those service members who died on October 23, 1983 when the Marine barracks was blown up in Beirut, Lebanon by two terrorists from Hezbollah. There were 220 Marines, 18 Sailors, and 3 Soldiers who died on that ill-fated day. A few minutes later in a coordinated attack, another suicide bomber blew up the French barracks just a few blocks away killing 58 French paratroopers. In the summer of 1983, the Reagan Administration approved the deployment of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) from the world- renowned Camp Lejeune, which is in my congressional district. This deployment was at the request of the Lebanese government, and the battalion landing team (BLT) was First Battalion Eighth Marines, now known as ``The Beirut Battalion''. Their mission was a peacekeeping one. The Beirut Memorial in Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina has this sentence forever etched in stone, ``They came in peace''. They were there to help bring peace to the war-torn city of Beirut, Lebanon. These American service members and the French paratroopers paid the ultimate sacrifice for their beloved nations. Mr. Speaker, I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of these noble men. Many who still live in my congressional district today. God bless them for keeping the faith and enduring the loss of their loved ones. May they never be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, I want to include in the Record the poem on the Beirut Memorial in Jacksonville, North Carolina as it is fitting to do so on this solemn occasion. ``The other wall'' by r.a. gannon It does not stand in Washington By others of its kind In prominence and dignity With mission clear defined. It does not list the men who died That tyranny should cease But speaks in silent eloquence Of those who came in peace. This Other Wall is solemn white And cut in simple lines And it nestles in the splendor Of the Carolina pines And on this wall there are the names Of men who once had gone In friendship's name to offer aid To Beirut, Lebanon They did not go as conquerors To bring a nation down Or for honor or for glory Or for praises or renown. When they landed on that foreign shore Their only thought in mind Was the safety of its people And the good of all mankind Though they offered only friendship And freedom's holy breath They were met with scorn and mockery And violence and death So the story of their glory Is not of battles fought But of their love of freedom Which was so dearly bought And their wall shall stand forever So long as freedom shines On the splendor and the glory Of the Carolina pines. God bless them and their outstanding families. Semper Fidelis.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2795, a critical piece of legislation that extends the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue providing several essential services. I am proud to have introduced the House version of this bill and grateful for Senator Tester's leadership in the other Chamber. Mr. Speaker, my district is home to over 76,000 veterans, and it is my honor and privilege to represent them in Congress. I thoroughly believe that when a man or a woman signs on the dotted line to serve our country, that is their contract, but when they come home, it is our contract to take care of them. It is an absolute priority of mine to make sure that their VA benefits, which were promised and earned, are given to them. This legislation enables the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue carrying out its duty to care for our veterans efficiently and effectively. It allows physicians and nurses that do veterans' compensation and pension plans to practice across State lines. It allows the VA to restore veterans' GI benefits if they use them at an educational institution that closes or gets decertified from the program. It extends the Veterans Health Administration's emergency preparedness measures to protect access to care during times of crisis. Our veterans have made great sacrifices to protect our way of life and our freedom. It is only right that we, in turn, serve them and give them the benefits that they have adamantly earned. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer James Brown for his devotion to Eastern North Carolina as a police officer. Officer Brown has served for more than 65 years within the Jacksonville Police Department and received the lifetime achievement award from NC Project. Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Officer Brown at the Homeland Heroes Banquet, an event recognizing first responders and law enforcement. Residents of Jacksonville witness Officer Brown's dedication to his community every day as he manages traffic and leads local students across the City's busiest neighborhood streets. He is undoubtedly a man to admire as he is the oldest serving officer in Jacksonville's police department. In fact, he is thought to be the most senior serving officer in the United States. I would be remiss if I failed to honor Officer Brown's service to our Nation during WWII. Those who continue their service in law enforcement after military deployments, like Officer Brown, are special people and among our Nation's heroes. Officer Brown has said that he has no plans of ending his career. He is an incredible example of service, duty, and honor that our Nation cherishes. I want to say thank you to Officer Brown for his faithfulness to our Country and community and wish him a Happy 96th Birthday this November.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to formally commend Dr. Robert Whitmore of New Bern, North Carolina for more than 40 years of service as a physician and his exemplary record of service. He has attended to our Eastern North Carolina community and our Nation honorably. His reputation and accolades for patient experience are a testament to the great care and expertise he has consistently provided throughout his career. As a urologist myself, I understand that providing top quality medical care is more than simply treating a disease but taking the time to listen to patient concerns and answering their questions. His standing in our community as a caring doctor, who personally follows up with patients, shows his commitment to the profession and his great character. Furthermore, his CarolinaEast Beacon of Service Award attests to his expertise and ability to touch the lives of so many others. I would be remiss if I failed to say thank you for Dr. Whitmore's service to our Country as a staff urologist in the U.S. Army. Military doctors endure so much, and it takes a special person to do the job. Dr. Whitmore is a true servant-leader with a heart for others and is revered among America's heroes. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring this incredible physician for all he has done and continues to do for the people of Eastern North Carolina.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep appreciation and admiration for Retired General Alfred M. Gray on the occasion of his 95th birthday. It is an honor to recognize General Gray's exceptional contributions to our Nation and his continued service to the Marine Corps. General Gray's illustrious career spans over four decades as he dedicated himself to the defense and security of our great nation. His leadership and strategic vision have left a permanent mark on the Marine Corps and our Armed Forces as a whole. From his service as an enlisted soldier in Korea to his role as the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Gray's commitment to excellence and his unwavering dedication to duty have set a standard for all who follow in his footsteps. A visionary on the battlefield, General Gray presided over changes in military training in the 1970s by placing more emphasis on large-scale operations in desert and cold-weather environments. His doctrine of maneuver warfare, adopted by the military in the 1980s, resulted in the Marine Corps' exceptional performance in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to his 41 years of military service, General Gray has made significant contributions to policy research and national security through his leadership roles at educational institutions like the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Since his retirement in 1991, General Gray has ensured that the Marine Corps remains at the forefront of innovative thinking and preparedness. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape for our military personnel and has provided invaluable insights into key national security, science and technology, and related policy issues. Throughout his career, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, General Gray has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including two Defense Distinguished Service Medals. two Navy Distinguished Service Medals, Distinguished Service Medals from the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard, the Silver Star Medal, two Legion of Merits with Combat ``V'', four Bronze Star Medals with Combat ``V'', three Purple Hearts, three Joint Commendation Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Star, as well as foreign awards from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Korea and The Netherlands. As we celebrate General Gray's 95th birthday, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring him on this special occasion and in expressing our deepest appreciation for his remarkable lifelong service to our beloved country. His contributions to the Marine Corps, national security, and education system have had a lasting impact on our nation. General Gray's legacy of leadership, integrity, and innovation will continue to inspire countless future generations of Marines and patriots. May he have a joyous 95th birthday, and may his years ahead be filled with health, happiness, and continued blessings. God Bless and Semper Fidelis.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1163, the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the words ``unprecedented'' many, many times. Today we stand at an unprecedented crime scene. During the course of the pandemic, the American taxpayers were subjected to one of the greatest heists ever committed, to the tune of about $191 billion in improper unemployment payments. My colleague across the aisle said: Yeah, they received the money accidentally. Well, if I walk up across the street and find a $20 bill accidentally dropped by someone else, do I not owe that money back to them? Is it mine to keep? No, it is not. It is to be given back. This is what was done from payments to the American taxpayers who did not deserve the money. Of course, the spending spree by the Biden administration wants to continue by adding ballooning debt to our national deficit. Today, House Republicans are presenting a solution to this unprecedented problem. We are not raising taxes or spending our grandchildren's money. We are merely asking for money back that was not owed to those people. It is simple. Why not reclaim the billions of dollars in improper payments before spending another cent of taxpayer money? Even schoolchildren would understand what is at issue. It is past time to rectify this disaster and hold those accountable who got money that they did not deserve. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina

Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 39. We are here today because the Biden administration is hell-bent on making the United States energy dependent upon China. They are hell- bent on signing this Nation's death warrant. In pursuit of everything green, the Biden administration has given a free pass for Chinese solar imports to flow into this country by all means, using an emergency proclamation. The last time a President used an emergency proclamation was for lumber in 1946 when American World War II veterans were returning home and needed homes. Today, Mr. Biden, or whoever is running the White House, is using it to waive tariffs on Chinese solar panels coming through Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam for 2 years. Helping war heroes is an emergency, but speeding up total dependence on our greatest adversary is another. It is an absolute abuse of executive power. It is helping our greatest adversary take control of this country. Why on God's green Earth are we handing this Nation's keys to the nation of China? Chinese producers and the CCP are taking advantage of this system to circumnavigate the tariffs. They are cheating. Don't just take my word. Take the President's own Department of Commerce who determined that this would happen, even before President Biden did his emergency proclamation. This is simply un-American and a crystal clear abuse of emergency power by this American President. We need to prioritize American manufacturing, not Chinese manufacturing. We need to produce the energy here in the United States, not handing this to China, our greatest adversary. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, H.J. Res. 39.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, due to committee obligations, I was unable to vote on Roll Call No. 194. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 194 (House Res. 311).

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, this evening, I will be talking on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. I have been a physician now for over 30 years and have dealt with a lot of different types of individuals, and there is a difference medically between men and women. There is a difference biologically between men and women. There is a difference chromosomally between men and women. There is a difference genetically between men and women. At age 5, it is an absolutely normal thing for young children to question who they are. It is absolutely normal. We all go through that phase. Sadly enough, our left colleagues now want to put pressure, either from teachers, counselors, or whatever, that they may be disillusioned, that they may not understand who they are, to try to push them in one direction. What has happened? We now have this huge conglomeration of individuals who don't understand their biological sex. We have been preached to by the left for 3 years, ``Follow the science. Follow the science,'' even though the science was wrong. Right now, they don't want to follow the science. It comes down to the science of gender, and they refuse to allow that truth to be told. They don't want to hear about the true biological and genetic differences between XY and XX chromosomes. As a physician, I can say there is an absolute genetic difference in mitochondria, spindle cell formation, and everything else in a genetic XY male from an XX female. It is how they develop. Regardless of any type of hormonal manipulation, an XY male has a competitive advantage over an XX female--period, point blank. It is fact. It cannot be refuted. Sadly enough, the left doesn't want to hear that. They want to push the fact that the choice of a gender will get to decide a competitive advantage. They want to trample over the rights of women and allow men to compete in women's sports. It is an absolute absurdity. I honestly cannot believe that this is an actual issue that we are debating in the United States of America. It is common sense. I won't point out any specifics, but what would happen if a male from the NBA decided he wanted to compete in the WNBA? Would that be fair? Absolutely not. What would happen if somebody like Michael Phelps wanted to compete in women's athletic sports, in swimming? It would be absolutely unfair, but the left is not horrified if something like that would happen in high school or college. Ten years ago, I would say Democrats and Republicans would never have dreamed we would be going down this path of lunacy, trying to erase women's sports, that a young girl who at the age of 5 or 10 would be competing so hard for her dream at age 18 or 22 to compete in the Olympics for a gold medal or any other medal might have that taken away by a biological male. However, here we are. It is a sad state. It is time for the adults in the room to bring common sense back to this country. Now, I am not downgrading or denigrating the desire for those individuals to compete in sports. I understand that, but what is fair is fair. It is absolutely unfair for a biological male to compete against a biological female in high school or any other type of sports. We are bringing common sense and a sense of normalcy back to women's sports and women's rights against the unscientific madness of the left. Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to vote for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 619, a bill to require the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to declassify all information related to potential leaks between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the origins of COVID-19. We had red flags about COVID's origins from day one. If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably a duck. Folks, this screams like a duck. In January 2020, Dr. Fauci received emails that promulgated that COVID-19 looked engineered and not from the wild. Yet, 3 weeks later, to save his own skin, he commissioned a scientific paper that ``debunked'' the lab theory. He was academically and intellectually dishonest. Why? He did not want the American people to know the truth. The truth is that Dr. Fauci and his institution funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to promote dangerous gain-of- function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology without proper guardrails. That is the key. The Wuhan lab was no more set up to deal with this deadly virus than my mother's kitchen. We had people--thousands, millions of people--lose their lives, their livelihoods, and their loved ones. If this contagion leaked from the lab, if that is the case, the world deserves to know. It is time to call out the duck in the room. Release the intelligence that we need to find out the truth. We have been lied to by China. We have even been lied to by our own government leaders. We need the truth. We ask our colleagues to please pass this bill.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. Today, we honor six North Carolinians who died in a plane crash off the coast of Carteret County on the 13th of February 2022. Four days from now will be the 1-year anniversary of this horrific tragedy. Last March, we held a moment of silence in their remembrance. No words can describe the pain and devastation that our community has felt. Yet, I continue to be moved by the outpouring of love and support from individuals not only across North Carolina but this great Nation. Today, I am introducing legislation with the entire backing of the North Carolina delegation to designate six creeks in Carteret County after six of the individuals who lost their lives. My bill, the Down East Remembrance Act, gives exact latitudes and longitudes as to the creeks' locations. They will be named after Noah Styron, Hunter Parks, Kole McInnis, Stephanie Fulcher, Jacob Taylor, and Daily Shepard. Upon adoption, these names will become part of the fabric of eastern North Carolina. May God bless them and their families and give them peace.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I speak on this bill from personal experience because I am probably the only Member in the Chamber who actually fell under this mandate because I am still actively practicing, and I am still on staff at an active medical center. I have practiced at this one institution for 30 years. I don't know how many calls I got from nurses, people on the floor taking care of COVID patients, pleading with me to not be forced to take this vaccine. Let me just say, if there were any individuals who knew what they were talking about, it was these nurses. They were actually taking care of COVID patients. I have been very pro-vaccine, very pro-vaccine, but I have said since day one that this is not a decision that should be made between a government and a citizen, but rather one made between a doctor and a patient. It is a medication. There are risks and benefits that go with this. Sadly enough, we lost a lot of our nurses, way too many, because they chose not to get this. They were young, of fertility age, and they were fearful. I am just going to speak to my colleague's comments about exemptions. Yes, there were exemptions, but they were minute, and I won't speak about one institution in specific, but nationwide they were oftentimes ignored. Thirty-year-olds who desired not to get this vaccine based upon fears about fertility don't have preexisting medical conditions. I think this is the right thing. I am pro-vaccine, but I do not believe in the avenue of forced vaccination. I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 497.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Ann Windley, who has served our great Nation and the County of Beaufort, N.C. Mrs. Windley started her decades of service as a Naval officer, joining the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps at 21 years of age in May of 1945 and serving until April 1946. She was stationed at U.S. Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Virginia with the assignment to rehabilitate those service members who were wounded in action during World War II and needed medical care before they could be released from active duty. This is where she met her husband, Daniel Morgan Windley, III, a Marine who participated in the battle of Okinawa. They fell in love almost immediately and were married March 9, 1946, 3 months after they met, for 60 years. They quickly settled down in Aurora, N.C. where her husband built the home Mrs. Windley lives in today. They had 5 children, Mary Lou, Daniel, William, John W., And Margaret. Three of their children also served in the military (Army, Air Force, and the Coast Guard) and her brother served in the Marines. It is here, in beautiful Beaufort County, where Mrs. Windley began her decades of public service to Beaufort County. She served as a school nurse and then a county nurse, ultimately retiring from the Beaufort County school system after 2 decades of service. Because of Mrs. Windley's outstanding dedication and great work ethic, she was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award by the American Red Cross. This prestigious award requires a minimum of 4,000 hours of documented volunteer service. I am very grateful for her enduring public service to eastern North Carolina and for the incredible example she has set for all of us to follow in life. It is my honor to recognize her in the hallowed United States House of Representatives. God bless Mrs. Windley, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for her decades of ceaseless service.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Claud ``Rob'' Wheatly, III of Wheatly Law Group, to honor his long and illustrious career. Rob graduated from The Citadel in 1969 and the University of South Carolina School or Law in 1972. He also served in the United States Army, where he obtained the rank of Captain. Rob specializes in property, estate planning, business, corporate, environmental law, and civil trial practice in all State and Federal Courts. During his very successful career, Rob has been the county attorney for Carteret County and is also a member of the Carteret County and North Carolina Bar Associations. Rob recently reached his 50-year milestone as an attorney in private practice and has served over 30 years as the Carteret County Attorney. Rob began practicing law in 1972 with his father, Claud R. Wheatly Jr., making Rob the third generation of his family to practice law in Carteret County. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring this incredible and noble servant and congratulating Mr. Claud ``Rob'' Wheatly, III on a life of outstanding service to his community.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to William ``Bill'' Harold Prestage of Clinton, North Carolina, to honor all that he has done to benefit North Carolina and our great nation. Bill was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 15, 1935, to Richard and Lorraine Prestage. Bill graduated from Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1955 and later attended Western Michigan University. In 1960, Bill, his wife, and their kids moved to South Carolina so Bill could start his new job selling Master Mix feeds for Central Soya. Despite having no agriculture experience, Bill quickly proved to be a natural salesman and was awarded Central Soya's coveted ``Wildcat'' sales award. Bill then moved to North Carolina to service a larger sales area, which led to him meeting Otis Carroll who owned a feed mill. Bill and Mr. Carroll became friends and eventually became partners in what became known as Carroll's Foods. Carroll's Foods was a huge success as it revolutionized the turkey and hog industry by adapting new techniques that would lead to the concept that we now call vertical integration. After Otis Carroll passed away in 1981, Bill sold his share in the business to the Carroll family. In 1983, Bill and his family started Prestage Farms in Harrells, North Carolina with 22 employees and 18 contract growers. Bill and his team were able to expand his newly found family business to become 1 of the largest family-owned and family- operated animal protein production companies in the nation. Currently, the Prestage family of companies has 5 divisions across 7 different states with 3 processing plants and provides employment to nearly 2,500 people and holds contracts with over 450 family farms. 5 of Bill's grandchildren have joined the company and are learning the ropes of the business from Bill and Marsha's 3 brilliant sons. Bill had a deep appreciation for all his employees and contract growers that he got to know throughout his life, and he always made sure they were recognized for all their hard work. These individuals served as the foundation of the business and helped make Prestage Farms what it is today. Bill was inducted into the North Carolina Poultry federation Hall of Fame in 2003 and into the North Carolina Pork Council Hall of Fame in 2005. In addition, Bill chaired the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation Board, served on the Vet Med Foundation Board and served as president of the National Turkey Federation. Bill and Marsha were both recognized with the Menscer Cup, which is North Carolina State University Foundation's highest award for philanthropy, dedication and leadership. Bill and Marsha were recognized with this. prestigious award after donating millions of dollars to North Carolina State University, which would go towards supporting research, teaching, and other programs provided by the university. Bill had a love for the outdoors and had a passion for promoting conservation efforts. Some of his hobbies included upland bird hunting, boating, and fishing. Bill married to his caring and loving wife and business partner, Marsha, for 68 years. Bill and Marsha had 3 sons, Ronald, Scott, and John Prestage. Bill was known as ``Poppy'' to his 9 grandchildren, Kate Prestage Poplin, Zach Prestage, Max Prestage, Billy Prestage, Stephanie Prestage, Dr. Kay I in Prestage, Ben Prestage, Bill Prestage, and Vanna Prestage; and 3 great-grandchildren Charlotte and Claire Poplin, and Marsha Prestage. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the incredible life of Mr. William ``Bill'' Harold Prestage and the tremendous legacy he leaves behind.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Marine who has served our great nation for over 38 years. From a Cobra Pilot to a General Officer leading the Marine Corps largest operational command, Marine Forces Pacific, Lieutenant General Steven Rudder has made a significant impact on the Marine Corps. He has flown attack helicopters in combat and commanded Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 26, and also was in charge of the Legislative Affairs office for the Marine Corps. During his time with the Legislative Affairs office, he was responsible for ensuring the U.S. Congress had the most up to date information on all Marine Corps ground and air programs. He commanded the 1st Marine Air Wing in Japan with Wing deployments to Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia. He also served as the planning officer at the United States Indo-Pacific Command where he led operational planning and further strengthened relationships with our Western Pacific partners and allies. As the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Aviation, he aggressively transitioned the F-35B aircraft program to include oversight of the historic F-35B deployment on the HMS Queen Elizabeth. Additionally, Lieutenant General Rudder completed the MV-22 and H-1 aircraft transitions and increased the readiness of Marine Corps Fighter force to 80 percent. Lieutenant General Rudder finished his career by commanding Marine Forces Pacific, the largest Marine Corps command with over 80,000 Marines. Under his command, the Marine Forces Pacific reestablished a significant program with the Philippines and entered into several trilateral agreements with Japan and Australia. Lieutenant General Rudder would go on to chair the 20 nation Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium with his Japanese counterpart. He was a key figure in the reestablishment of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps Air Group. Ashore or afloat, Lieutenant General Rudder has insured our Marines were ready to fight on behalf of our nation, and on behalf of our nation's commitments to our allies and partners. For his incredible leadership, Lieutenant General Rudder was awarded the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun by former Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi. He was also awarded the Guksun Medal, which is also called the Order of National Security Merit, signed by South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol. It was personally awarded by the ROK Commandant and signifies the impact Lieutenant General Rudder has made in the defense of the Pacific Theater of Operations. Lieutenant General Rudder's awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat ``V'' Device, the Defense Superior Medal (2 awards) and the Legion of Merit (2 awards). The Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat ``V'' Device is of particular note, as it is our Nation's highest award for extraordinary aerial achievement and in Lieutenant General Rudder's case, was awarded due to his courage and skill in combat. I want to note the close ties Lieutenant General Rudder and his family has with my Congressional District (NC-03). They were stationed for about 10 years total in the Jacksonville, North Carolina area. His son, Dean Rudder, graduated from high school there and is a graduate of East Carolina University (ECU) and his daughter, Brittany, attended three schools in my District. Brittany currently resides in Jacksonville, where she has made it her permanent home for the past 12 years. I would be remiss if I did not emphasize his wife, Holly, and her support of Lieutenant General Rudder's career. She was 100 percent behind him during his entire 38-year career and is a Navy veteran herself, after growing up in an Air Force family living all over the world. Needless to say, many of Lieutenant General Rudder's successes can be attributed directly to Holly's support. I wish both of them all the best as they transition to this new chapter of life. May they have fair winds and following seas. Semper Fidelis.