Steven Palazzo

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of J.T. Byrd, Jr. who passed away on December 8th at the age of 97. I send my condolences and prayers to Mr. Byrd's family and friends. Born and raised in Mississippi, he served as Pastor of Eastlawn Baptist Church, Bethany Baptist Church and Oneal Road Baptist Church. Mr. Byrd was loved and respected by his church members, family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. I had the distinct honor of meeting Mr. Byrd and honoring his service to our country during an Honor Flight to the nation's capitol. He leaves behind a legacy of service for us to remember him by. From his service in World War II to his faithful dedication of sharing the gospel with others, we now know he is resting in Glory with his bride. Although we are sad to hear of his passing, we take comfort in his example of a life well lived and the legacy he leaves behind. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Mississippi, we honor the memory of Mr. J.T. Byrd, Jr., a loving husband, father, man of God, and dedicated civil servant.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Gary Staples who passed away on January 2, 2021 at the age of 80. I send my condolences and prayers to Mr. Staples' family and friends. Born and raised in Laurel Mississippi, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi and Jones County Junior College. Representative Staples served as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives for the 88th District. Mr. Staples was loved and respected by his constituents, family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. From serving Mississippi's 88th District for 17 years, he has left behind a legacy of commitment to the State of Mississippi for us to remember him by. Although we are sad to hear of his passing, we take comfort in his example of a life well lived and the legacy he leaves behind. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Mississippi, we honor the memory of Representative Gary Staples, a loving husband, father, man of God, and dedicated civil servant.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Colonel Gregory Michel for his years of service to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Col. Michel has led our state's emergency agency since 2018-- and what a fine job he has done. Colonel Gregory Michel retired from the military in 2017 after nearly 30 years of service to the Army. He began his career with his command at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Hattiesburg, MS where he served as Installation Commander. Colonel Michel is a Veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and a Combat Veteran of Operation Iraq Freedom. Col. Michel's military decorations include the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Col. Michel has remained dedicated to our state in his many roles, and during his time at MEMA was responsible for declaring more than nine Presidential Disaster Declarations, a critical piece of post- hurricane recovery efforts. Although retirement from MEMA might be different given the pandemic, I am confident the impact Col. Michel left on our state and at MEMA will be a lasting one. I want to thank Colonel Michel for his service to our country and to the state of Mississippi.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. On February 1, south Mississippi tragically lost Hancock County Sheriff Deputy Lieutenant Michael Boutte in the line of duty. His end of watch was Monday, February 1, 2021. Madam Speaker, Boutte was a passionate servant in our community, and he will be greatly missed by many. He is remembered for his service not only as a distinguished law enforcement officer, but also as an Air Force veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm. In everything he did, Boutte wore his smile with pride and compassion. A tireless leader in his community, Boutte was responsible for organizing the Silver Alert system and National Crime Night Out for the city of Diamondhead. He was also honored with the Lifesaving Medal and awarded the Officer of the Year Award by the Waveland Community Unity Organization in 2018. Boutte made our community and his loved ones immensely proud. Our State and our Nation owe him and his family a debt of gratitude for his service and sacrifices. Let us go forth and carry his memory and service in our hearts and prayers. Madam Speaker, I ask that Members in the House Chamber please join me for a moment of silence to honor the life of Lieutenant Michael Boutte.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding career of service of Mr. Cannie Lee Cody. Mr. Cody hails from Jacksonville, Florida, and volunteered at 18 years old to serve his country in the United States Coast Guard. After a few years, he decided to follow the path to become a detective. At the age of 29, Mr. Cody graduated as valedictorian from the Duval County Patrol Academy. He served as a highway patrolman for 5 years, eventually reaching the rank of detective sergeant at the Duval County Sheriff's Office. In the 1960s, riots began to break out in Jacksonville, Florida. One riot occurred on March 23, 1964, and on that evening, Mrs. Johnnie Mae Chappell, a mother of 10, was shot and killed. Mrs. Chappell had returned home by bus and then walked to a local store. Upon arriving home, she realized she had left her wallet and went to look for it along the highway. According to witnesses, a dark sedan slowed down and a shot was fired from the vehicle, which killed Mrs. Chappell. The case was left open and unsolved. Five months later, Mr. Cody and his partner encountered a young man who they suspected was involved in the murder. This encounter led them to three other assailants who also confessed to Mrs. Chappell's murder. By this time, they had tracked down the murder weapon and enough evidence to close the case. They gave the uncovered information to the chief of police, but sadly, they were removed from the case and lost their jobs a year later. Mr. Cody had spent the following decades trying to get justice for Mrs. Chappell and her family. For years, he sought vindication and to expose the corruption of the officials involved. Mr. Cody went on to write a book called ``The 14th Denial: A Civil Rights Memoir,'' which inspired the movie ``Wanted Justice: Johnnie Mae Chappell.'' Both the book and movie are thought-provoking and share an incredibly important story. For his service, Mr. Cody is being honored by the Department of Veterans Affairs for his dedication to our country and the civil rights movement. Mr. Cody has spent his life fighting for what is right and serving others. It is an honor to recognize the heroic career of service of Mr. Cannie Lee Cody. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the legacy and the outstanding life of service of Purple Heart recipient Staff Sergeant Robert E. Carter. He was born September 2, 1986, in San Luis Obispo, California, to Rick and Linda Carter. Staff Sergeant Carter attended Rio Vista High School and San Joaquin Delta College as a firefighter for a degree in fire science. He was also in the process of completing his bachelor of science in public health at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Staff Sergeant Carter joined the United States Army on April 25, 2007, and attended training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated as an 11 Bravo Infantryman. Staff Sergeant Carter's first deployment was in 2007 to Baghdad under the Dagger Brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His second deployment was from November 2008 to November 2009 for Operation Iraqi Freedom as a rifle team leader and platoon designated marksman in charge of Small Denial Team's counteroffensive for IEDs. It was during this deployment on April 5, 2009, that he sustained injuries from an IED explosion while conducting dismounted clearance of a hostile village in Balad Ruz, Iraq. His final deployment was in July 2011 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment, he created and implemented the Afghanistan National Army's sniper course. His last assignment before retirement was to serve as a sniper- observer course trainer. A few of Staff Sergeant Carter's awards and decorations included: Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NATO Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Combat Infantryman Badge. He earned each of these accolades and will be remembered for his unwavering service to his country. Staff Sergeant Carter was laid to rest on October 19, 2020, at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. He is survived by his fiancee, Erica Farmer. Staff Sergeant Carter was a beloved son, brother, and friend to all who knew him. He accomplished more in just his 34 years on this Earth than most do in a lifetime. I had the pleasure of meeting with and presenting Staff Sergeant Carter with his Purple Heart award on January 24, 2020. He was a true American hero, motivated by the love of his fellow man. We are all indebted to the sacrifices he made through his unwavering commitment to boldly defending our country. It is an honor to recognize Staff Sergeant Robert E. Carter's life and legacy of service. Honoring the Works of Cannie Lee Cody

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize a true leader of Mississippi for his outstanding career of service, Mr. Rupert H. Lacy. Mr. Lacy has served as the director of emergency management, homeland security, and e-911 for Harrison County, Mississippi, for 13 years. He was appointed director in December 2007 and has been responsible for a wide range of public safety activities, including emergency planning, hazard mitigation, emergency communications disaster response, and recovery for Mississippi's second most populous county, comprised of five cities and more than 200,000 residents. A native Mississippian, Mr. Lacy was touched by disasters growing up and saw the chaos they could cause firsthand. In the late 1970s, he started as a volunteer firefighter but has served in many capacities since then, including deputy director of Harrison County Emergency Management, warden of Leake County Correctional Facility, captain of support services for Harrison County Sheriff's Department, and training officer for Harrison County Sheriff's Department. An expert in all-hazards comprehensive emergency management, Mr. Lacy has been a leader on several high-profile incident management teams and delegations. During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he served as logistics section chief. From 2008 until 2020, Mr. Lacy served as co-chairman of the National Hurricane Conference's response committee, helping scores of coastal communities share their best practices and lessons learned. He is detail-oriented, organized, and prioritizes safety above all, which is precisely the type of person you want running point during hurricane season or an unprecedented pandemic. Mr. Lacy was mentored by the late former Harrison County Emergency Services director, Wade Guice, and has since continued this tradition of mentorship with his coworkers and all who come in contact with him. When asked about Mr. Lacy, many of his coworkers responded that he is a strong father figure in their lives and has taught them so much through his positive example. After many years of faithful and distinguished service, Mr. Lacy retired as EMA director on December 1, 2020. A resident of Saucier, Mississippi, he is married to Ivy Lacy and is the proud father and grandfather of three children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, who all certainly enjoy the extra time with him. We thank his family for being so understanding of his long hours spent serving others. Over the door in his office, Mr. Lacy kept a plaque that said: ``Remembering the past and working in the present to protect the future of Harrison County.'' It is safe to say he lived this creed well. Mr. Lacy's length and breadth of experience in public safety are to be applauded. I know many join me in wishing him a happy and restful retirement. It is my honor and privilege to recognize the remarkable career of Mr. Rupert H. Lacy. Honoring the Life and Legacy of Staff Sergeant Robert E. Carter

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition today of two Mississippi elementary schools that were awarded the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools award. This prestigious award is given in acknowledgment of overall progress and closing achievement gaps and/or being among the State's highest performing schools. The first school was Popp's Ferry Elementary School, located in Biloxi, Mississippi. Popp's Ferry is a title I school for kindergarten through third grade, serving 500 students. I want to congratulate the principal at the time of the nomination, Dr. Todd Boucher; the current principal, Dr. Vivian Malone; Biloxi Public Schools Superintendent Marcus Boudreaux; as well as all members of the Popp's Ferry faculty and staff. The second school is D'Iberville Elementary School in D'Iberville, Mississippi. D'Iberville Elementary is a title I school for kindergarten through fourth grade, serving more than 700 students. This is their second Blue Ribbon Schools award, having previously been honored in 2009. I want to congratulate Principal Cindy Dusang, Harrison County Schools Superintendent Roy Gill, and all D'Iberville Elementary faculty and staff members. It is an honor that two of the four Mississippi schools awarded the National Blue Ribbon Schools award call the Fourth District of Mississippi home. Mississippi is fortunate to have schools and educators dedicated to preparing the next generation. So congratulations again to Popp's Ferry and D'Iberville elementary schools on this incredible achievement. Recognizing the Career of Rupert H. Lacy

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a high school football team within the Fourth District of Mississippi that now can claim the prestigious title of State champions. The Oak Grove Warriors, led by Head Coach Drew Causey, defeated Oxford High School, 29-28, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. This is the Warriors' second State title in school history. The Warriors were 1 point behind with 7.1 seconds to go after a touchdown when junior quarterback Kabe Barnett made the split-second decision not to kick the extra point to take the game into overtime and, instead, rushed 10 yards for a 2-point conversion to win the game. Oak Grove Warriors' season concluded with a 13-0 record, a perfect season even in the midst of so much uncertainty in the world. These young athletes have risen above all the chaos that 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought. They have shown great strength and leadership and brought a community together in a divided time. Congratulations again to Oak Grove High School, all of their players, coaches, staff, and many supporters. 2020 will truly be a season to remember. Honoring 2020 Blue Ribbon Schools in Fourth District of Mississippi

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a high school football team within the Fourth District of Mississippi that now can claim the prestigious title of State Champions. The West Jones Mustangs defeated West Point High School, 33-27, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. This is the Mustangs' first State title in school history and for head coach Scott Pierson, a 27-year coaching veteran. The Mustangs were behind with 50 seconds to go when senior quarterback, Alan Follis, rushed 63 yards for the touchdown. West Jones' season concluded with a 13-2 record, showing that, even in times of adversity, victory is possible. Seeing a group of young athletes come together to rise above the challenges they face and a community circle around them is very special, especially in a year like 2020. Congratulations again to West Jones High School, all of their players, coaches, staff, and many supporters. I am sure this will be a season they never forget. Recognizing Oak Grove High School on State Championship

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a high school football team within the Fourth District of Mississippi that now can claim the prestigious title of State Champions. The Lumberton Panthers defeated Biggersville High School, 20-14, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. This is the Panthers' fifth State title in school history and the first State title for head coach Zach Jones. Their win was secured with just 24 seconds left of play and a tied scoreboard after senior receiver K'nylan Willis carried a touchdown pass from a junior quarterback named Rodney Parker. The Panthers were 12-1 this season, a record to be proud of. 2020 has brought many challenges to our Nation and has not left our students and sports teams untouched. In my opinion, there are few things better than a community coming together to celebrate the resilience and strength of young athletes. Congratulations again to Lumberton High School, all of their players, coaches, staff, and many supporters. This will truly be a football season to remember. Recognizing the Mississippi 5A State Champion Football Team, West Jones High School

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the linemen of Mississippi. Following the recent Hurricane Zeta, almost 100,000 homes in our area were left without power due to the heavy rains and winds. Nearly 1,000 of Mississippi's linemen jumped to action to serve their neighbors during our time of need. These storm teams are expertly trained and well-equipped to reinstate normalcy following a storm, and I am proud to acknowledge their work here today. As one of America's most dangerous jobs, these individuals go to work knowing they serve a critical cause providing the power that empowers our daily lives. So when you make a call to a loved one, use hot water, turn on an air-conditioner, or stay up to date on the news, remember the brave linemen who make these services possible. Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a moment to thank Mississippi Power, Coast Electric Power Association, Singing River Electric Power Company, Pearl River Valley Electric Company, Dixie Electric Power Association, and the many other workers within Mississippi and from out of State who banded together to restore power back to our area. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our gratitude to these unsung heroes. Without them, our future would be a lot less bright. Recognizing the Mississippi 1A State Champion Football Team, Lumberton High School

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was big cats. Today it is big cannabis. When is it time for real COVID relief? When is it time for us to help our constituents, our small businesses, our struggling and exhausted frontline workers, and teachers? To legalize marijuana or not is one thing; to pass a bill that has no recourse for States that don't want mass legalization, which totals 35 states, is irresponsible. To not limit or regulate potency is carelessness. To not do anything to regulate advertising, which proved to be an issue with vaping when the industry targeted kids and teens, is negligent. To not provide funding for the FDA or USDA to manage the regulatory framework is reckless. Take marijuana out of the scenario. None of us would support a reckless, negligent, careless, and irresponsible bill. This flawed legislation is not time sensitive, does not require consideration this week, and should not take priority over the very serious and real issues facing our country. There are real external threats facing our Nation. We should focus on strengthening America and not weakening it. There is a lot to be done before the end of the year, and Congress must be focused on rebuilding our economy and restoring our way of life. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding. I rise today in support of S. 2981, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020. This bicameral and bipartisan legislation aims to improve the smallest uniform service in our country, the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. The men and women of the NOAA Corps operate a highly specialized fleet of scientific ships and aircraft, several of which are based in my district on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and along coastlines around the Nation. The research conducted on these scientific platforms helps to improve hurricane forecasts, manage healthy and sustainable fisheries such as red snapper, and ensure safe and efficient maritime commerce on America's waters. Members of the NOAA Corps are the ones who operate the 9 aircrafts and 15 vessels in NOAA's growing fleet. During a hurricane, they deploy on missions into the storm; and immediately after hurricanes, they deploy to assess damage and map out debris in the channels to open our ports back up as soon as possible. All these activities are essential to my district and many others, especially this year where we had back-to-back hurricanes in the Gulf impacting our maritime economy and ecosystems. NOAA Corps officers provide essential scientific and operational expertise needed for NOAA to meet its missions every day. Recognizing NOAA's 50th anniversary and their growing responsibilities, this legislation will help NOAA retain and recruit the most qualified officers and will offer these servicemembers the level of personal and professional support that they deserve. The 2020 hurricane season confirms that we need to make the right investments so the NOAA Corps can become even better at predicting storms, in turn, protecting life and property while helping conserve our fisheries that are vital to our national heritage. Mr. Speaker, I believe it is crucial that we reauthorize and support the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores), for yielding. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the outstanding life of service to the community of Mrs. Ruby Thompson Green. Mrs. Green, for the better half of her 103 years on this Earth, exhibited true altruism and love for the city of Biloxi. She was born June 5, 1916, in Ahoskie, North Carolina. She earned her bachelor of science from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Mrs. Green also spent some time studying at Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, before attending the University of Southern Mississippi. Mrs. Green married Mr. P. Irving Green on July 26, 1941, and they moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1947. Mrs. Green founded and operated Green's Kindergarten for 17 years, and she was the first African-American teacher at Biloxi High School. Mrs. Green also worked in the Star Program and worked as the assistant education director of the Head Start Program. Mrs. Green joined the New Bethel Baptist Church under the pastorship of Reverend E.H. Potter, and she served as a teacher of the intermediate class, superintendent of the Sunday school, director of the vacation Bible school, member of the senior mission, member of the kitchen committee, and member of the bus committee. She also served as assistant secretary of the Shiloh District of the Congress of Christian Workers. After retiring from her many years of dedication to her students at Biloxi High School, she volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi. Along with her volunteer work, she was a member of the Cheerios Homemakers Club and the Senior Citizen Group. Mrs. Green spent a great many years contributing to her community, and for many of her students and brothers and sisters in Christ, she was a strong pillar in the community. Of the 103 years, 11 months, and 23 days that she spent with us, most of her time was spent bettering the lives of those around her. Mrs. Ruby Thompson Green was an outstanding citizen of the kingdom of God, the United States of America, Mississippi, and Biloxi, and her contributions stand as a reminder to all of us that it is better to serve than to be served. It is my honor and privilege to recognize the wonderful life of Mrs. Ruby Thompson Green.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my neighbors in Alabama and Florida who bore the brunt of destruction from Hurricane Sally when it made landfall on September 16. We keep all those who were affected in our prayers as they rebuild. Mississippi was lucky to be spared this time, but tragedy comes with an important lesson. We must be prepared. I will be the first to say that even I could have been better prepared for this storm after seeing the devastation throughout lower Alabama and the panhandle. September is National Natural Disaster Preparedness Month, and hurricane season is still well underway. I encourage everyone who calls the Gulf and Atlantic Coast home to review the FEMA hurricane guidelines. From knowing your evacuation route to having all the essentials to leave, if necessary, when a storm is headed our way, we will be better prepared to weather it together. Natural disasters are inevitable, and it is our responsibility as elected officials and as individuals, to prepare for them and recover responsibly. For those impacted by Hurricane Sally, I wish you a swift recovery. Don't just build back, build forward.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Mr. Lee Bond and Singing River Health System for their outstanding service to the community of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Mr. Bond has significant family roots on the Gulf Coast. He was born at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula, Mississippi. His great, great, great grandfather was Fernando Upton Gautier, the first settler of the City of Gautier, and its namesake. Mr. Bond earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of South Alabama, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Mr. Bond is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Singing River Health System. Outside of work, he has held community leadership roles in both Jackson and Harrison Counties. He has served on the Gulf Coast Business Council, the Bacot McCarty Foundation, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, Ducks Unlimited Gulf Coast Chapter, the Board of Directors for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Past President of the Gulf Coast Chapter of Mississippi Society of CPAs. Mr. Bond is a graduate of Leadership Jackson County, and was humbly recognized as a Top 10 Outstanding Community Leader for South Mississippi. During these unprecedented times, Mr. Bond and the entire Singing River Health System has gone above and beyond to help the community suffering from this global pandemic. Singing River Health System is the largest COVID-19 provider on the Gulf Coast. It has cared for over 2,200 patients diagnosed with the virus. In response to the increased demand, it continues to make improvements to its critical care nursing units to meet the needs of the most ill patients, has established community-based clinical patient navigators to conduct local contact tracing, and supports patients recovering at home. Mr. Bond credits the entire Singing River care and support services team for their efforts to deliver lifesaving care to those hit hardest by the virus and continue to be their greatest advocate. Despite all the long hours and very difficult days, he and the Singing River team have remained ``Singing River Strong'' and dedicated to their mission of improving health and saving lives.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the appropriations bill before us today. The bill we are debating is as partisan a bill as I have seen in my years on the appropriations committee. Not only does the package spend billions over the current bipartisan budget agreement, the bill also contains many policy items that have no place in an appropriations bill. Despite ongoing negotiations for a new coronavirus relief package this bill adds another 24 billion dollars in coronavirus relief funding . . . this is in addition to the 3 trillion in supplemental funds that were passed in May and adding more funding beyond what was outlined in the Senate's HEALS Act. This may seem like a worthy cause if we knew the bills were going to be signed by the President in the coming days, but that's not the case. Instead, we are sitting here wasting time and energy inserting these provisions that guarantee the bill will never be signed into law as is. This bill contains seriously dangerous provisions that place our men and women in uniform in harm's way by repealing the AUMF's that guide our counterterrorism operations, it ties the president's hands with regard to Iran, and undercuts America's dominance of space and our ability to counter nations like China who want to gain supremacy there. Further, it eliminates several long-standing, bipartisan Second Amendment protections while also defunding the police and targeting law enforcement through overreaching regulations. The amendments that have been made in order by the rule undercut our military leadership even further by making exemptions to policies put in place to preserve good order and discipline, turning our military into a social experiment instead of maintaining our readiness and capability as the world's preeminent fighting force. Despite the inclusion of South Mississippi's priorities in this bill, such as ship and boat building in Pascagoula and Gulfport, rocket propulsion testing for Stennis Space Center, and many other coastal priorities, this bill fails to deliver what's necessary. At a time where America is suffering, the country is in turmoil, and we are working to regain our footing as the world's top economy, this bill does more harm than good. I urge a no vote on the legislation.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, which impacted my flight options, I was not present in the House and unable to vote on July 27, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on Rollcall No. 167.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, due to limited flight schedules from COVID-related travel restrictions, I was not present in the House during the first vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 139, and NAY on Roll Call No. 140.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, just a year ago, south Mississippi mourned the senseless murder of Officer Robert McKeithen, and this month, Mississippi lost one of our sheriff's deputies, James Blair, in the line of duty. Despite the dangers from criminals and lawlessness in our communities, some in America continue to call for defunding and dismantling police departments across the country. While we watched stores looted and cities burned by street thugs and anarchists, the men and women of law enforcement were labeled as the enemy. Madam Speaker, police officers are not the enemy. They are the thin blue line standing between good and evil, civilization and chaos. I stand here today in 100 percent support of defending our police officers and not defunding them. Madam Speaker, I ask all the good citizens of America to stand up and do the same. Defunding law enforcement is not the answer to the problems of this country. Removing criminals from our streets is. May God bless the men and women in blue and their families.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, due to travel requirements, I was not present to vote during the first vote series on June 25, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 116 and NAY on Roll Call No. 117.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding work of PFC Robert Walker who celebrates 100 years of life on June 25, 2020. Mr. Walker hails from Spokane, Washington, and worked many jobs before a call to serve his country during its hour of need inspired him to join the Marine Corps. After completing basic training and being assigned to the 4th Marine Division, he was sent to the Pacific Theatre where he fought in the battle for Iwo Jima from February 19, until March 4, 1945. On March 4, 1945, Mr. Walker was severely wounded by shrapnel and immediately evacuated to Hawaii to be given proper medical care. On September 28, 1945, Mr. Walker was discharged from the Marines and began his civilian life again. His wife of over 50 years, Betty, whom he met in San Francisco where he spent most of his life prior to the war, was waiting for him when he returned. The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest and most ferociously fought battles of World War II. Mr. Walker was one of nearly 70,000 Marines who bravely battled entrenched Japanese forces knowing full well that casualties would be high. For his service, Mr. Walker was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with star, the American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. After his decorated service in the Marine Corps, Mr. Walker began working for the California Department of Motor Vehicles where he retired from a supervising position. Mr. Walker has said that one of the happiest days of his life was when he was released from the Marine Corps, but he will also testify that his time in the Corps changed and defined his life. The phrase, ``once a Marine, always a Marine'' comes to mind when one thinks of the valiant heart and storied life of our friend, Robert Francis Walker.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, due to flight schedules, I was unable to be in D.C. for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 55, and YEA on Roll Call No. 56.

Mr. PALAZZO

Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friend, Mr. McCaul, for yielding. Madam Speaker, the amendment before us today is another example of the Democrats' most recent campaign to undermine our military, our national security, and, as always, President Trump. Repealing the AUMF of 2002 without a replacement is dangerous, and the House majority must understand that. If the Democrats choose to adopt this amendment, it shows our military men and women stationed in the Middle East that the United States Congress does not have their backs. By adopting this amendment, it tells our enemies that they can continue attacking the United States completely unchecked. It projects uncertainty and weakness to those who are actively working against us. The United States must maintain the ability to counter terrorist attacks, and an active AUMF accomplishes that. This amendment, if adopted, will only weaken America's defense strategy in the Middle East. The AUMF is important and helped lead our military to the defeat of al-Qaida in Iraq. It continues helping us identify other international terrorist organizations that want to harm Americans and spread terror throughout the world. No one wants endless wars in the Middle East, but we must have the tools necessary to react in this highly volatile region. We should not prevent the President from defending Americans from imminent threats. To do this is reckless and dangerous. Not only will it put our military at risk, but it will also endanger American civilians. Keep in mind, we need to fight the global war on terrorism over there; otherwise, it will end up in our backyards. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this dangerous resolution.