Bill Posey

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, last year marked the 75th anniversary of India's independence. The growing importance of the relationship between India and the United States cannot be overstated. Our shared commitment to democracy and economic freedom serves to build peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and challenge an increasingly aggressive China. Robust cultural, educational, and professional programs play a key role in strengthening our partnership in science, technology, education, medicine, cybersecurity, civil nuclear energy, and so much more. Americans of Indian descent are an important part of the fabric of American life, including friends like Mike Shaw, who immigrated decades ago with less than $100 in his pocket. Today, Mike is a very successful entrepreneur who has created a strong business and thousands of jobs. This is a relationship to be celebrated as we welcome India's Prime Minister to Washington, D.C., next week.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding today. Today, the issue is rules reform. Let's answer some commonly asked questions about agency rules. Question number one: What is a rule? To be clear, rules were made by unelected, unrecallable, unaccountable bureaucrats. Question number two: Why do agencies write rules? It has been said on the floor, and even by an expert commentator on C-SPAN, that Congress created agencies to write rules. Wrong. Congress created agencies to implement laws passed by elected people, not create new laws outside of their delegated authority. Question number three: Most people back home think Congress makes all the Federal laws. Is that true? Wrong. For every law elected representatives make, unelected, unrecallable, unaccountable bureaucrats can make 1,000 or more new rules enforceable as laws. Last time I checked, there were 170-some volumes of Federal code that were actually passed by elected representatives. The laws known as rules made by unelected, unrecallable, unaccountable bureaucrats could fill this Chamber. Question number four: Can an American citizen end up in court or in prison for violating a rule made by an unelected, unrecallable, unaccountable bureaucrat? The answer is yes. It is estimated that if a citizen is called into Federal court, it is 100 to 1,000 times more likely to be a result of violating a rule made by an unelected person than a law. Question number five: Are there any further restrictions on unelected, unrecallable, unaccountable bureaucrats' ability to write rules enforceable as laws that can end up putting American citizens in court or in prison? Yes. Currently, unelected, unrecallable, unaccountable bureaucrats who write a rule with an impact of over $100 million, as you heard earlier, have to write a cost-benefit analysis. Question number six: Does that mean that they can write a rule with an impact of less than $100 million without doing one? Sure. It seems like it is okay to write rules as enforceable as laws that negatively affect Americans if the cost is estimated to be only $99,999,999. Question number seven: Do agencies always perform cost-benefit analyses as required if the proposed rule has a $100 million or greater impact? The answer is no. Some unelected, unrecallable, unaccountable bureaucrats, unfortunately, are also arrogant, petulant, and defiant. One study revealed one rule had an $80 billion negative impact, but the agency had refused to do the required study saying, you, meaning Congress, can't make me, and we couldn't. Not all Federal rules writers are guilty of bad behavior, for sure. We have many employees who add great value to the process, but we must establish needed guidelines for those who exceed and abuse legislative intent and authority. I could go on for hours, but my time is limited, so I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to regain authority for lawmaking back from unelected, unaccountable, unrecallable bureaucrats by supporting this much-needed legislation reform. Before I yield, I would like to say that I collected Federal Registers for the last 4 years of the last administration. Instead of throwing them in the trash like most people do because we can't act on them, I started building a stack in the corner. My office became a tourist attraction. I had people from almost every State come into my office and want to have their picture taken before the stack of rules implemented by unelectable, unrecallable, unaccountable bureaucrats. How big do you think that stack got to be after 4 years? A lot of people say probably over my head. Actually, it was seven stacks over 10 feet high, over 70 linear feet of rules, longer than the entire amount of laws passed in this country since its founding. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman again for yielding.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, because of an extended flight delay which disrupted by travel back to Washington, DC on Monday, June 5, 2023, I was unable to attend the legislative session. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 246, and YEA on Roll Call No. 245.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, China is cheating America. They know it. You know it. I know it. Everybody knows it. China is avoiding the tariffs both Presidents Obama and Trump agreed upon by shipping solar panels through other countries in Southeast Asia and simply slapping a new label on them. It is an undeniable fact, investigated and verified by the U.S. Department of Commerce. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the CCP--the Chinese Communist Party--has detained more than 1 million Uyghurs and other minorities in China's far western Xinjiang region. An astounding 1 million people detained. To put that in perspective, that is nearly the equivalent of every man, woman, and child in most of our congressional districts. Many of these people have been forced into labor camps and factories to produce goods for the Chinese Communist Party loyalists to sell around the globe. China produces 18 goods using forced or slave labor. Any use of slave labor is morally wrong. We know that, and China is by far the world's biggest offender. Among the products produced by the Uyghurs and others through forced labor are electronics and polysilicon, which is used to make solar panels. Over 50 percent of the country's production of polysilicon takes place in Xinjiang. Some of those solar panels are the very same solar panels we are talking about here today. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these are some of the conditions that Uyghurs and others in China's western region face as they make solar panels: They receive little pay; they are not allowed to leave; they have limited or no communication with their family members; and they must learn Mandarin and undergo an ideological indoctrination. That is truly barbaric, and we shouldn't sell out our production to help them. The regulation in question violates both our laws about importing products made with forced labor and enables these labor practices to continue. I feel sure everyone in this Chamber despises the evils of slavery and slave labor. In a few minutes we will have the chance to see just who talks the talk and who walks the walk. If we pass this resolution, we can help put a stop to China's cheating and slave labor. Make no mistake, people can still buy all the Chinese solar panels that they want to buy. We are not stopping them from doing that. We are not making solar panels unavailable. All we are saying is that they have to pay a tariff. Pay the fair tariff that President Obama and President Trump both agreed upon. I would be remiss in not thanking some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for cosponsoring this commonsense resolution and working to make it bipartisan: The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), the gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Khanna). Please walk the walk and vote in favor of this resolution to put American workers, American products, and the United States of America first.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 13, 2023, thousands of residents from across Central Florida will gather at the Cocoa Beach Pier in Cocoa Beach, Florida, to take part in the Twelfth Annual ``Footprints in the Sand'' Cocoa Beach Kidney Walk. Katie and I have joined others in our community in participating since the first walk was organized in 2012 by Rich Salick, Bill Hahn and volunteers with the Florida Affiliate of the National Kidney Foundation. The ``Footprints in the Sand'' Kidney Walk brings our community together to show our love and concern. So many of us have family, friends and loved ones that are afflicted by kidney disease, and they need our strength and support. The road ahead is not easy for them, but as the kidney walk demonstrates, they do not have to travel that path alone. The National Kidney Foundation of Florida, its supporters and activists have made a significant difference in people's lives. They not only raise awareness about this disease, but they have helped push for much needed changes in our laws and new innovations to give patients more treatment options and a better quality of life. This year organizers of the kidney walk will recognize organ donors and their families for giving the precious gift of life so that others could receive a second chance and continue with their lives. Those recognized include: Nancy Velazquez honoring Pedro Batista, Moncia Beyrooti honoring Seth Anthony Beyrooti, Pat Brown honoring Michael Brown, Mary Carpenter honoring Shawn Carpenter, Kayla Carroll Lopez honoring Keegin Carroll, Sherri Wilson honoring William Garrett Coe, Leslia Collins honoring Jose Collins, Diana Couch honoring Linda Couch, Robin Covello honoring Michael Covello, Crystal Lopez honoring Giovanni Cruz, Laura Dawkins honoring Brooke Dawkins, Kathleen DeLeonardo honoring Anthony DeLeonardo, Shebna Dorsey honoring Andrew Dorsey, Jen Eden honoring Blake Eden, Tamara Edwards honoring Boris Edwards, Lori Evenson honoring Nick Evenson, Dawn Futch honoring Michael-Gene Futch, Annmarie Wong Allen honoring Chadale ``CJ'' Grey, Cheryl Harrington honoring Brenton Lee Harrington, Jasmin Persaud honoring Anand Persaud, Tammy Lee honoring Dylan Rowe, Irene Seltzer honoring Zachary Seltzer, Amber Shillingford honoring Brad Shillingford, Tonnia Bennett honoring Tekeya Smith, Bernadette Thompson honoring Kayla Marie Thompson, Ellen Tuech honoring Geoffrey ``Geoff'' Wasden and Cathy Woodall honoring Christopher Woodall. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the strong will of these caring families, their loved ones and all those who have joined the effort and worked tirelessly to raise awareness about kidney disease.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for yielding. Today, we are considering a historic bipartisan resolution to support American solar manufacturers and workers and hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for dodging our trade laws. H.J. Res. 39 will undo a Biden administration's rule that allowed Chinese solar manufacturers who use forced labor to dodge American trade laws and dump inferior product on the United States. They are doing this by slapping a new label on their products and exporting them to third-party countries like Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Department of Commerce, in a preliminary investigation, concluded that the Chinese solar companies are, in fact, sending their products through these four southeast Asian countries to avoid paying a higher tariff. If left in place, this rule will benefit the Chinese Communist Party. Make no mistake about that. They are not our friends; they are an enemy. This will be at the detriment of American companies and workers. Unfortunately, some believe we must tolerate China's bad decisions and remain dependent on adversarial nations to create renewable energy. That is a false choice, so says the AFL-CIO. The United States can and should focus its resources into developing our own solar products and boosting American competitiveness around the world, rather than supporting China's quest to dominate the market and control energy supply. This bipartisan resolution is a critical step to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for everything from their human rights abuses to their unfair trade practices, all the while protecting American solar manufacturers and workers. Why not be an exporter of great American products rather than an importer of cheap Chinese products? For those who say they are clean energy advocates, I would like to remind them that their Chinese solar panels are built without any environmental protection or controls whatsoever. American solar panels have environmental protection requirements. Most are aware, and I hope everyone in this Chamber is for sure aware, that through economic dominance, China hopes to achieve military superiority. We need to stop helping China do that. How good is this resolution? As if the facts are not clear enough already, keep this in mind: This is a policy that President Obama and President Trump both agreed on. I know that is hard to believe, but you heard that right. It is a policy that President Obama and President Trump both agreed on. Additionally, we shouldn't sacrifice the Uyghur people at the altar of convenience. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting America and H.J. Res. 39.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for his leadership. Today, we recognize a key congressional staffer who has served us on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Jenn Wickre. She has faithfully served both a Member of Congress and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee for more than 16 years. Often in Washington, people hear the phrases: No, we can't do that. That is too hard. No, that can't be done. No, we just can't do that. But that has never been an experience anyone I know has had working with Jenn. She has always been such an amazing help to our staff and to our efforts to properly serve the American people. If our staff or I have ever brought tough issues before the committee, we never heard her sigh, roll her eyes, or do any of the things that somebody might do with some of my crazy ideas. She just jumped right in and figured out a way to get us to where we needed to go. You have got to love it, Mr. Speaker. I have had amendments that have made it into bills strictly because of Jenn's leadership and her hard work; otherwise, they would have just gone nowhere. It is just the special touch that she had. She always found a way to help members on the committee so they could best serve their districts and their constituents, and often it was in a bipartisan manner, which is not easy to come by around this place. Congressional staff are truly the unsung heroes and heroines of this institution. Without them the legislative wheels would grind to a halt, and that is a fact. Jenn Wickre is one of those heroines. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers go out to this wonderful lady and her family. God bless Jenn, and God bless America.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 167, I mistakenly voted no when I intended to vote yes.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of a true American patriot, Mr. Noah Daniels. Born during the post-Great War peace, Mr. Daniels lived a quiet life until World War II began. Wanting to serve, Mr. Daniels desired to join the military, but at his mother's direction, he entered tech school. For hands-on training, Mr. Daniels was sent to Ft. Knox where he later entered the civil service. This proved fortuitous, as Mr. Daniels was instrumental in preparing General Patton's tanks to secure a victory over Germany's feared Desert Fox, Rommel. Following his time at Ft. Knox, Mr. Daniels joined the Navy and then the Coast Guard, serving throughout North America and the Pacific on several ships, including the USS Ingham. Notably, during his time in the Coast Guard, Mr. Daniels designed the `chain stop' to help with servicing the marker buoys in inland waterways--a design later patented by the Coast Guard and used throughout the U.S. fleet. The ingenuity and work ethic necessary to create the chain stop led to Mr. Daniels' promotion to First Class Petty Officer. After completing his military service in 1964, Mr. Daniels moved to Central Florida where he and his family live today. Mr. Daniels is the proud father of former Congresswoman Sandy Adams, a good friend to Katie and I, who previously served in the Florida House of Representatives and the United States Air Force. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Noah Daniels, a man of renowned honor, courage, and patriotism as he approaches his 100th birthday on June 30, 2023. May his next trip around the sun be his best one yet. Happy birthday, my friend.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a true southern gentleman and patriot of great distinction, Mr. Philip Innes Eschbach, Jr., affectionately known as ``The Colonel''. During World War II, Mr. Eschbach was stationed in Dijon, France, where, despite the odds of survival, he piloted a B-26 Martin Marauder on 56 bomber flights against the Axis in Italy and France. During the war he received the French Croix de Guerre. More recently, on May 4, 2013, he was further personally honored by the French government for his heroic deeds in the liberation of their country when they made him an honorary commandant. His daughter, Mary, coordinated his itinerary, and his son, Phil, accompanied him on his trip back to France for the festivities. After the war, Mr. Eschbach earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Florida. He became active in community affairs and began teaching school. Katie, I, and many others were fortunate enough to have him as an English teacher before he went on to teach in high school and college. He never shared any of his war experiences with his students, and they were unknown to me, until he wrote his memoirs in 2004 in a book titled, THE KICKING MULES. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing this hero, dedicated teacher, friend, and role model to so many, congratulations for completing another mission--his upcoming 100th orbit around the Sun. Happy Birthday to the Colonel.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cheryl Moore, a true servant-leader who is retiring this month after forty years of service to the residents and communities across Central Florida and Florida's Space Coast. For the last 13 years Cheryl has been a cherished member of my staff, serving as Director of Community Relations covering North Brevard and Orange County and assisting constituents all over the District resolve complex cases involving federal agencies like the IRS, OPM, Postal Service, veterans' benefits, and Medicare to name a few. Cheryl began her public service career in 1984 as a member of the Orange County Code Enforcement Board, a position she held for eight years. Cheryl would go on to make significant contributions to the state legislature, serving as Chief Legislative Aide to State Representative Tom Feeney and later State Senator John Ostalkiewcz. Cheryl even worked as a staff member in the State Redistricting Office, helping oversee the operation to draw new State Legislature and Congressional Districts. In 2000, she returned to the Florida House as top aide to then-Florida House Speaker Feeney, and upon his successful election to Congress, served as his District Director from 2002 to 2008. Before joining the 8th Congressional District staff, Cheryl served in the same role for Congresswoman Sandy Adams. Cheryl is known as a trailblazer for women and a legend in her industry, often setting the standard for professional and effective public service. Throughout her career Cheryl was recognized with the President's Award from the Orange County Sheriffs Office, the Seminole County Sheriffs Office Legislative Award and the Orange County Sheriffs Award for ``Exceptional Leadership'' for restoring the special risk assessment for law enforcement to 3 percent. However, what Cheryl is truly known for is her caring servant's heart and the difference she has made in the lives of so many. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Cheryl Moore on her long and distinguished service and wishing her all the best in this next chapter of her life.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, due to a transportation issue, I was unable to cast my vote on S. 2333, the Equal Pay for Team USA Act of 2022. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 532.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Florida Institute of Technology--L3Harris Institute for Assured Information student cybersecurity team, FITSEC, for their perfect accuracy, extraordinary score, and first place finish in this fall's 2022 National Cyber League tournament on November 6, 2022. The National Cyber League team tournament is a biannual national competition. This year, 7,500 students from 470 institutions around the country competed to solve simulated, true-to-life cybersecurity problems. The National Cyber League assesses a team's ability to address nine critical cybersecurity workforce categories outlined in the NIST NICE Cybersecurity Framework and the NSA Knowledge Units. Florida Tech students claimed victory with 100% accuracy and a score of 2,755 points out of 3,000. With this win, FITSEC has moved Florida Tech to the number one spot in the Cyber Power Rankings. Founded by NASA scientists and located in the city of Melbourne on Florida's ``Space Coast,'' Florida Tech has always been known for its strength and contributions in aerospace engineering and space science. More recently, the university has also earned its position as a leader in cybersecurity research and education. Home to the L3Harris Institute for Assured Information, Florida Tech has been recognized as a National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security ``National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research''. Florida Tech's rigorous undergraduate cyber operations curriculum, modeled after the NSA Cyber Operations Knowledge Units, is developing bright young minds that will most certainly be among our nation's future leaders in this field. It is good to know that students from my district in Brevard County will soon help solve the problems of tomorrow, like countering unchecked foreign threats, securing intellectual property and private information, and meeting the growing need for exceptional cybersecurity professionals in our nation's industries, agencies and government. According to Florida Tech's provost, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Dr. Marco Carvalho: ``The success of FITSEC underscores the value of collaborations between industry and academia, such as our L3Harris Institute for Assured Information. Here, we have some of the best computer scientists and software engineers in the world conducting cutting-edge research in cybersecurity, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The same experts then teach, mentor and coach our FITSEC students. Finally, these students bring their skills to top U.S. companies and organizations, making invaluable contributions to the security and stability of vital information, systems, and resources.'' Chair of the cybersecurity program Dr. TJ O'Connor, tells us: ``The FITS EC cybersecurity team and cyber operations curriculum contribute to our national security and strength by building critical skills in the cybersecurity workforce gap. The L3Harris Institute of Assured Information and Florida Tech's commitment to excellence in this domain is proven by its successful track record, including the recent victory in the National Cyber League Team tournament, and resulting number one national ranking.'' The 2022 Florida Institute of Technology's team was coached by Dr. O'Connor and consisted of 5 graduate and 2 undergraduate students in computer science, including Kourtnee Fernalld, Joshua Connolly, Blake Janes, Logan Suarez, Stephen Brustowicz, Alexander Schmith, and Curtice Gough. Dr. Sneha Sudhakaran, Florida Tech assistant professor and expert in mobile security and forensics, served as a co-coach of the team this year as well. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Florida Tech and these student leaders on their outstanding accomplishments and wish them every success in the future.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize a historic achievement in our nation's Space Program. Yesterday marked the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 17's landing on the moon--the last time humans went to the moon. Now, 50 years later to the day, Artemis I's Orion capsule splashed down off the Baja California coast, signifying our return to the lunar surface, and beyond. As a teenager I was deeply inspired by President Kennedy's famous Rice University speech declaring America's intent to go to the Moon. I wanted so much to be part it, and, like many in Brevard County. I found work on the Apollo program just a few years later. It was a truly great experience. Space is not only important to our national security, but to advancing American ingenuity and technological prowess, and ultimately, to ensuring the survival of our species. This is an exciting time for space exploration and discovery, and I encourage young people looking to be part of something special, something important, to consider a career in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Louie, the first person who reached their hand out to me when I got here was not you. It was Ron Paul. You were the second one. I got to know you good through Ron Paul's lunches, his wonderful lunches at his Liberty Caucus. I learned, before I ever heard you speak, of what a true patriot you were. I don't know that there has ever been a more consistent Member since I have been here on principles, policy, and ethics than you, Louie Gohmert. You have been a fearless voice for those that were voiceless, something which every Member of Congress should aspire to be. You have been an advocate for what is right about America and a fierce opponent of what is not right for America. Congressman Gohmert, you have always been well informed on a galaxy of issues that come before this body, and as always, you have been more than well prepared to fight for the good and against the bad. An honest, pragmatic, free thinker for sure, Congress could surely use more Louie Gohmerts, not fewer. We are going to miss you, Louie. Godspeed. I don't know what we are going to do without you.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on Saturday, December 17, 2022, Brevard County families, businesses and local community organizations will gather to celebrate the Fourteenth Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza. This wonderful event, which will take place at Fred Poppe Regional Park in Palm Bay, FL, will provide an uplifting message of hope and future during this Christmas season. The House Church, Elevation Church, Eastwind Pentecostal Church, Victory in Christ Jesus, Centerpointe Church, Grace Bible Church, Jornada al Cielo, Church on the Rock, River of Life Christian Center, Brevard Worship Center, and Hope Ministries of Florida, Wings of Grace Ministries, CITA Rescue Mission, and ANEW International have all united to bring the Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza to our City and County. Working with several community and business partners such as the City of Palm Bay Parks & Recreation, Thrifty Specialty Produce, Chick-Fil-A, Fruits of my Labor, Gator Automotive, Florida Blue, Frog Bones-Family Shooting Center, Travel Camp, Al Dia Today Newspaper, Hometown News, and Premiere Oaks 10 Cinema, the mission is to provide a positive venue for residents and children to celebrate Christmas, serve others and give back to their community. Over 60 local businesses and organizations have made donations of Toys, food, gift certificates, equipment, finances, and goodie bags, and will feature Musicians and Artist such as Unified Sound with Joel Lopez, Peabod, KD3, Boannski, Eddie Anthony as Eddie Frost and much more. Senior Pastor Ken Delgado of The House at Palm Bay said: ``With today's news being filled with division, contention, and expressions of hatred, it is exciting to see the City of Palm Bay, along with the city's businesses and the citizens, create an event where love, joy and peace are expressed. The Family Christmas Extravaganza is the greatest expression that so many people yearn for and is what the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus, saying `Peace and good will towards all men'.'' The Mayor of the City of Palm Bay, Rob Medina, issued a proclamation in support for this year's celebration, recognizing the Extravaganza has become the largest Christmas party on the Space Coast and December 17, 2022, as Family Christmas Extravaganza Day. The spirit of the holidays is all about giving and spending time with loved ones. This year's Extravaganza brings our community together to remind us of that. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting all those who are doing their part to spread the Christmas spirit this holiday season and those who have worked so hard to make the Fourteenth Annual Family Christmas Extravaganza possible.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Protecting Firefighters From Adverse Substances Act. It has been a pleasure to work across the aisle on proposals to address the dangers posed by PFAS not just to firefighters but also to our environment. It has been a pleasure to cosponsor the House companion to this bill and support its passage. This bill will direct the Department of Homeland Security to provide training designed to reduce and eliminate exposure to PFAS from firefighting foam and personal protective equipment, to prevent PFAS from firefighting foam from being released into the environment, and to give firefighters and other emergency responders information on alternatives that do not contain PFAS. This bill is another step we are taking together in a bipartisan spirit to address the consequences that we have learned far too late. The firefighters' motto is ``Be Ready,'' and this bill helps better prepare our firefighters. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important legislation.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement and brave service of K-9 Bear to the Cocoa Police Department and to our Congressional District. K-9 Bear, the 9-year-old German Shepherd, not only fulfilled his duty to protect his partner, K-9 Officer Dan Rhoades, but protected his community for more than eight years. K-9 Bear started in 2014 working as a dual-certified patrol K-9 at the Cocoa Police Department. There he underwent comprehensive trainings in everything from tracking fleeing suspects to locating missing persons, as well as finding illegal drugs and other evidence in criminal cases. K-9 Bear also served alongside the elite Cocoa Police Department's SWAT team. During his career, K-9 Bear worked to recover illegal drugs, taking them off the streets, keeping our families and neighborhoods safe. Many say fleeing suspects gave up the fight at just the sound of K-9 Bear's ferocious bawl. K-9 Bear and K-9 Officer Dan Rhoades' close relationship produced results, and K-9 Bear's exemplary skills and dedication proved to be a valuable asset to the department and the community. America's Top Dog, on A&E Network, a show where the most elite police K-9 teams compete, even highlighted K-9 Bear and Officer Rhoades' special partnership. Team Bear, demonstrating their most excellent skills, won the competition and brought home a $10,000 prize to donate to the Cocoa High Athletics Department for an improvement project. Because of K-9 Bear's efforts, America's Top Dog made an additional $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice, the Space Coast K-9 Competition, presented by the Cocoa Police Department in partnership with Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation. K-9 Bear was not just a tool to help his human police officer. K-9 Bear was, and will always be, a loyal friend. Today we celebrate K-9 Bear's tenure at the Cocoa Police Department and commend him for always doing his duty to protect our community. I urge my colleagues to join me as we wish K-9 Bear well in retirement.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, my flight was delayed for more than five hours due to technical difficulties and then inclement weather on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, causing me to depart Florida after the vote series began. Had I been present, I would have voted: NO on Roll Call No. 386; NO on Roll Call No. 387; YES on Roll Call No. 388; YES on Roll Call No. 389; NO on Roll Call No. 390; NO on Roll Call No. 391; NO on Roll Call No. 392; and YES on Roll Call No. 393.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a constituent from Florida's Space Coast who has dedicated his career to advancing the strategic security of our nation and strengthening America's technological capability, and who has been a well-known and passionate advocate of our mission in space--Mr. Joe Mayer. In 1976, Joe graduated from William Paterson College in New Jersey, then attended Georgetown University, and earned a Master of Science of Foreign Service degree focusing on national security. He got his start working on Capitol Hill as an aide to U.S. Senator Jake Garn of Utah, advising on defense and national security issues and helping to support the B-1B strategic bomber as well as funding for the Strategic Defense Initiative. Joe then went on to serve on the staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence focusing on arms control. In 1986, Joe joined Rockwell International taking the lead on Rockwell's NASA space-related business. He worked to modernize the Space Shuttle program and became a leading advocate for the International Space Station. Joe later worked for The Boeing Company supporting their human space exploration efforts. He became the Chair of Citizens for Space Exploration, a pro-NASA, pro-space advocacy organization, received a NASA Space Flight Awareness award from the Boeing leadership team, and was named an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 2007 Joe joined the Lockheed Martin Space team in Houston representing the company in the community and advocating on behalf of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV)/Orion spacecraft. He worked with community partners and traveled across the country meeting with the public, school children, community leaders and elected officials explaining the value of human space exploration. The Houston Mayor and City Council honored Joe for his professional and community contributions with a Declaration designating February 26, 2013, as `Joe Mayer Day in the City of Houston'. In 2013 Lockheed Martin dispatched Joe to Florida's Space Coast where he has served the space community in numerous civic and charitable positions and has been a leading voice for our nation's space program. Joe's local leadership roles have included Chairing the board of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, Chairing the Cocoa Beach Chamber as well as Chair of VISIT Florida and Space Coast Citizens for Space Exploration. He has served on the Boards of Brevard Cultural Alliance, Florida Defense Contractors Association, the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. He is a member of the Space Coast Civilian-Military Association and serves on my Congressional Space Advisory Committee. After more than 40 years of service, Joe recently announced his plans to retire, and we thank him for his tireless service and commitment to our communities, and for his strong advocacy and support for our nation's space program. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Joe Mayer and wishing him and his family well in the years to come.

Mr. POSEY

Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Keith Moskowitz from Vero Beach, Florida, a constituent who has earned distinction for his dedication to ensuring safe communities and for his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others by investing in people and creating opportunity. Keith started his first job when he was only eight years old and since then has worked hard and owned many businesses. Being called to serve others, Keith put his businesses on hold and joined the New York City Police Department. Over the course of his 15-years of service Keith received over 60 awards for his excellent police work, including meritorious and bravery medals. He earned two promotions and led an investigative squad focusing on domestic violence, burglary, and homicides. On September 11, 2001, Keith was on duty in downtown Manhattan when the Trade Center was attacked and worked tirelessly to assist people in getting to safety. In June 2006 Keith retired from the NYPD and relocated to Florida where he once again joined the private sector building a string of successful small businesses in the automotive and home repair industries which he grew to include more than 20 employees. Keith's philanthropic nature has benefited his community as he has given much of his time and resources to local schools, local governments, and people in needed of assistance. Recognized by the governor of Kentucky, Keith was awarded the distinguished Kentucky Colonel designation for his continued investments in people and the communities in which he has served. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Keith Moskowitz for his dedication to community service, courageous acts, and generous spirit.