Hal Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on Nov. 16, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 219 and YEA on Roll Call No. 220.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on Nov. 17, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 221.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on Nov. 18, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 222.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on Nov. 19, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 223 and NAY on Roll Call No. 224.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on Nov. 20, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted nay on Roll Call No. 225, yea on Roll Call No. 226 and nay on Roll Call No. 227. personal explanation

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mike Baker who recently retired as Clay County Clerk after nearly a decade of service to the people of Clay County who elected him to that role in 2010. Mike's heart for public service was inspired by his aunt, Florence Baker who also served as Clay County Clerk. In fact, his first job in public service was under her watch, when he started working as her Deputy Clerk at the young age of 19. It was a role he thrived in and maintained under the administration of three other county clerks, encompassing a total of 38 years of service in the Clay County Clerk's office. Outside of the Clerk's office, Mike and his wife, Linda have been faithful stewards to the community through various philanthropic efforts. Together, they have collected thousands of Christmas Shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse, filled with gifts for less fortunate children around the world. Mike has also partnered with the Manchester Baptist Church and Blanket America to collect and distribute more than 10,000 coats for the people of Kentucky's Appalachian region who are most in- need during winter months. As he begins a new chapter of life, I wish Mike many wonderful years of retirement with his family.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bill Neikirk, co-founder and first President of the Mill Springs Battlefield Association (MSBA), as we celebrate the fruits of his tireless labor to preserve southern Kentucky's historic Civil War battlefield. Bill Neikirk led the charge to secure 900-acres of land and the battlefield's iconic structures in Pulaski and Wayne counties, which are now designated as a National Monument in the National Park System (NPS). In 1991, the National Park Service identified the Mill Springs Battlefield as one of the 25 most endangered battlefields in America. Since that day, I have worked hand-in-hand with Bill Neikirk, the MSBA, the American Battlefield Trust and stakeholders in Pulaski and Wayne counties to rescue the expansive Civil War site of the first major victory for the Union Army in the western theater. The Battle of Mill Springs was the second largest battle to take place in Kentucky with some 17,000 soldiers engaged in the fight. During the battle, Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer became one of the first Confederate generals to die in the Civil War. He was laid to rest under a large white oak tree on the battlefield, now known as the Zollie Tree. In 1993, the Mill Springs Battlefield was designated as a National Historic Landmark, catapulting multifaceted efforts to secure additional tracts of land from Nancy to Monticello, Kentucky. In 2006, we worked together to build a $1.7 million, 10,000 square-foot Visitor's Center and Museum, adjacent to the Mill Springs National Cemetery. The value of preserving these hallowed grounds became the driving force behind the local mission to have the Mill Springs Battlefield designated as part of the National Park System. On July 17, 2018, I invited Bill to Capitol Hill to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources about the intensive preservation efforts of the MSBA and the desire to present the fruits of their labor to the National Park Service for everyone to enjoy. Bill's heartfelt testimony was a key turning point in this monumental endeavor. Highlighting the long-time legislative efforts to protect our beloved battlefield for future generations, the Mill Spring Battlefield National Monument Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 12, 2019, and on September 22, 2020, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt officially established our new national monument as part of the National Park System. Over the years, funding was sometimes scarce and doors were often closed, but Bill Neikirk maintained an unwavering resolve to see the Mill Springs Battlefield earn its rightful place in the national spotlight. It has been one of the greatest honors of my service as the U.S. Representative for Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District to work alongside such a great friend and champion for our region, and to see the final victory of this battlefield to now be included in the National Park System. The people of southern Kentucky owe Bill Neikirk a great deal of gratitude for preserving this rare jewel in our history.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, due to unforseen flight delays, I was unable to vote on September 29, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 207, and YEA on Roll Call No. 208.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Barbara Bailey, Kentucky's longest-serving television news anchor and a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame, as she retires from WKYT-TV after more than four decades of dedication to broadcast journalism. As a native of Harlan, Kentucky, Barbara has been an inspiration to women and men from the mountains of southern and eastern Kentucky for many years. She has always worn her Appalachian heritage with great pride, first as a reporter for the Harlan Daily Enterprise, and continuing to display her passion for people in the mountains throughout her broadcast career at WKYT. Barbara gave a voice to individuals who may have never been heard otherwise, and shared stories that we, as Kentuckians, needed to be informed about. Thanks to her insight on issues in Kentucky's Appalachian region, WKYT has been a news source for families and individuals beyond the Lexington metro area, extending into the living rooms of families across southern and eastern Kentucky. It is Barbara's southeastern Kentucky charm that won over the hearts of countless viewers, and likewise, her mountain moxie that influenced her journalistic integrity and earned the respect and trust of the people of this Commonwealth. Given a platform that few others are ever granted, Barbara has always been a generous steward of her talents and her personal time, volunteering for charity fundraisers throughout the state and serving on the board of various civic groups and organizations. Most recently, we joined together for the benefit of the Cawood Ledford Boys and Girls Club in Harlan County to expand their reach to more students and expand their facilities. I was elected to my first term in office the same year that Barbara anchored her first newscast in 1980. Our paths have crossed many times over the years, sharing information about the challenges and triumphs in Kentucky's Appalachian region. Though small in stature, it is clear that Barbara carries tremendous love and compassion for the people of Kentucky, with a special place in her heart for southern and eastern Kentuckians. As she begins a new chapter of life, I wish Barbara many wonderful years of retirement with her family and grandchildren. The people of southern and eastern Kentucky are proud to call Barbara Bailey one of our most distinguished daughters of the mountains.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my long-time friend and pastor, Dr. French Harmon, who has been elected to lead the Kentucky Baptist Foundation. During a time of great unrest in our nation, the church remains our guiding light as an invisible enemy attacks the health of Americans, our economy, and our way of life. It is spiritual leaders like Dr. Harmon who will ensure that our sovereign God is still recognized as the cornerstone of our blessed and sovereign nation. His servant's heart has never been resigned to ministry inside a building. Rather, Dr. Harmon has embodied the love of Christ through his outreach in every community where he has resided, and through mission work in foreign countries, including Brazil, Israel, Kenya, and South Africa. Successful ministries are often defined by congregation size, tithing growth and doctoral achievements; to that end, Dr. Harmon is among the elite as a Doctor of Philosophy, a Doctor of Ministry, a Master of Theology, a Master of Divinity and upwards of 200% growth in church membership and giving throughout his pastoral assignments. However, it is with great humility that Dr. Harmon would suggest that there is no greater success in ministry than simply sharing the gospel of Christ to a lost world in need of a Savior. As a member of his congregation at First Baptist Church in Somerset, Kentucky, I can personally attest that countless lives have changed as a result of his dedication to Christ's Great Commission. In recent years, Dr. Harmon has been a consummate advocate for the needs of the people of southern and eastern Kentucky. He organized an anti-drug abuse march and rally in partnership with Operation UNITE to combat the opioid abuse epidemic in our Appalachian region. I recruited him to share his wisdom and expertise as a board member, and now Vice Chair, of SOAR--Shaping Our Appalachian Region, an initiative to revitalize and diversify our coal-producing region. I deeply appreciate his ingenuity and guidance as we collectively work to inspire and generate new economic development opportunities in the mountains. In addition to serving as my pastor, I count Dr. Harmon as a true friend and trusted advisor. In fact, I invited him to lead prayer on Capitol Hill for the U.S. House of Representatives and to join me during meetings with prominent leaders over the years, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has been a tremendous ambassador for the United States, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the City of Somerset. For those reasons, I find it bittersweet to congratulate Dr. Harmon as he begins a new chapter as President of the Kentucky Baptist Foundation. My prayer for Dr. Harmon and his family is written in Numbers 6:24-26, ``The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.''

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, due to a personal family matter, I was unable to vote on Roll Call No. 167. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 167.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves for including my request to fund Section 531, the program for Southern and Eastern Kentucky. In the region that I serve, we are still fighting for clean water and reliable wastewater systems for our families, our schools, and our businesses. Many of our folks, like those in Martin County, are often forced to boil water because lines are failing, and believe it or not, we are still finding straight pipes dumping raw sewage into some of our beautiful streams. Thanks to Section 531, some 35,000 families in Southern and Eastern Kentucky now have their own septic system or access to a reliable wastewater system, and over 90 percent of my rural region now has access to clean water. But it should be 100 percent in every part of America. Anything less is shameful. And that is why this funding increase and this bill are so critical. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Graves, and Chairman DeFazio for bringing a great bill out, and I urge its support.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment. This bill funds a number of important programs that are part of our national security. While I believe there is room for a small reduction, taking cuts across the board is not an appropriate way to carry that out. The amendment would cut everything across the bill, indiscriminately, and that includes the $3.3 billion, as has been mentioned, in foreign military financing for Israel. Reducing funding for Israel's security by $165 million, in addition to reductions to embassy security and other key investments, is ill-advised. There is a better way. I urge Members to oppose the amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman, my ranking member, for yielding this time; and I rise in opposition to H.R. 7608, the first appropriations measure to be considered by the House for fiscal year 2021. The measure before us today, Mr. Speaker, includes four of the 12 annual spending bills. Specifically, it would provide funding for the Departments of State, Agriculture, Interior, as well as Veterans Affairs, and their related agencies and programs. As ranking member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I want to again offer my sincere thanks to Chairwoman Nita Lowey for her collaboration. Her decision to lead this subcommittee, as well as being chairman of the big committee, the full committee, is a testament to her dedication to improving lives around the globe. She has been a tremendous partner in that venture for many years, and we will deeply miss her leadership of our committee and of this subcommittee. But I assure you, Madam Chair, we will continue this work in your memory because you have invested so much of your life in this subcommittee. Division A, the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill for fiscal year 2021, includes $55.85 billion in non-emergency discretionary funding, and $10 billion in emergency funding for global coronavirus response, for a total of $65.87 billion. Within that total, the bill includes funding for many key priorities that are critical to our national security. Chief among them is $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel and continued funding at the current level for our close partners in the region, including Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. I am also pleased that the bill maintains funding at the current level, as has been said, for embassy security. The attacks on our embassy in Baghdad this year were a stark reminder of how we must do everything we can to support the safety of our foreign service officers working abroad. I appreciate the Chair continuing funding to combat the flow of drugs into this country and to tackle transnational crime overseas. Overdose deaths from synthetic opioids like fentanyl have spiked with COVID-19's growth, so we have got an epidemic now of increased overdose deaths within the pandemonium that is going on as well. These international efforts go hand-in-hand with the work we do here at home in the relentless fight against drug abuse and addiction. Elsewhere in the bill, Divisions B, C, and D of this package include some notable areas of bipartisanship worth highlighting. I was pleased to see robust funding for clean and reliable water systems and rural broadband service, which are vitally important in my Kentucky district. The bill also continues funding for the Abandoned Mine Land Pilot Program, a crucial economic and community development tool for regions like mine that were devastated by the war on coal. The bill also provides critical resources to take care of our veterans, another welcome inclusion, given their great service to our Nation. While I admire the chair's leadership in guiding this legislation through committee under the most challenging circumstances, I simply cannot support the measure in its current form. Our committee has a proud tradition of bipartisanship and working together to fund and enhance shared priorities. However, this bill's unchecked emergency spending and partisan policy riders give me great concern, and ensure it has no hope of becoming law in its current form. Sweeping measures that threaten the sanctity of life, like those that overturn the President's expanded Mexico City policy and weaken the longstanding protections against coercive abortion and forced sterilization, known as Kemp-Kasten, are the most concerning and controversial. Also problematic are ill-advised investments, including the international climate funds like the Green Climate Fund, which jeopardizes American jobs. Despite some areas of agreement, the unrestrained spending and partisan riders require my opposition to the package. I therefore urge my colleagues to oppose the bill.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Glenda Shrum, one of Eastern Kentucky's earliest activists against the region's deadly drug abuse epidemic. As Glenda retires, I want to commend her for dedicating 16 years of service as Program Supervisor for the Knott and Magoffin County Drug Court Program, plus nearly 27 years of service as Administrator of the Knott County Health Department. Her leadership and courage of conviction has helped save lives in Eastern Kentucky. In 2003, I launched Operation UNITE to combat the opioid crisis in Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, utilizing a holistic approach through law enforcement investigations, treatment and education. One of the first people who joined our grassroots movement was Glenda Shrum. In fact, she had already formed the Knott Drug Abuse Council in 2002 with grant funding support, and she quickly became a trusted advisor for UNITE regarding community and family needs in and beyond the borders of Knott County. I distinctly remember Glenda presenting us with results of a local study that overwhelmingly validated our joint cause to combat drug abuse. The study revealed more than 50 percent of students in Knott County were living in homes without either parent as a result of drug overdose deaths, incarceration for a drug-related crime, or losing custody as a result of substance abuse. Later in life, Glenda personally experienced the reality of this statistic when she became the guardian of a young great-niece and nephew. However, it wasn't the first time that Glenda personally felt the impact of substance abuse within her family; the first came at the age of 9, when her father was tragically killed by a drunk driver. When you examine her life experiences, Glenda's courage of conviction and passion to drive out the stigma surrounding substance abuse is abundantly clear. Through the Drug Court Program, Glenda has actively created local partnerships with employers who are willing to give graduates a second chance job opportunity. Others have found purpose and hope through the Appalachian Artisan Center where they are learning unique skills in pottery, blacksmithing and luthiery. She has also actively created educational programs for the entire family in hopes of reuniting and repairing relationships that suffered extensive damage prior to recovery. Glenda's work has not only helped save lives in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, but has helped rebuild families, and the local workforce where these individuals in recovery are now thriving. In addition to a career centered around helping others, Glenda volunteers her spare time with the Knott County Drug Abuse Council, which was one of the very first organizations of its kind in the Appalachian region. As chairwoman since inception, Glenda has led community-wide events, including the annual Dad's Day Out at Carr Creek Lake in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Project Grad, a drug-free after-prom event; free Christmas gifts for children in need during the holidays; and school supplies for children impacted by the opioid epidemic. Had it not been for individuals, like Glenda Shrum, pounding the pavement for hope and change nearly 20 years ago, I fear what our communities would look like today. When others were hiding addiction problems and sweeping them under the rug, leaders like Glenda marched through our hills and hollows to help us raise awareness and spread a message of hope. It has been an honor to work with Glenda over the years and I personally appreciate her close interaction with our team at Operation UNITE, which now serves as a national model of success. I want to wish Glenda many wonderful years of retirement with her family. She should rest easy knowing the countless individuals that she has empowered and inspired to make life changing decisions over the years. Her legacy will long be seen in the children that are now growing up to lead the way and continue the work she started some two decades ago. May God bless Glenda and her family for her incredible love she has shown to the people of Eastern Kentucky.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, out of an abundance of caution related to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was not able to vote on April 23, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 103, and YEA on Roll Call No. 104.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Simply put, the challenges that the COVID-19 coronavirus pose to our country are without precedent. As the President has said, we are at war. But it is not a war against another country or a terrorist network, it is a war against a silent enemy that is ravaging our people and forcing us to sacrifice our economic wellbeing. This is especially hurting us in rural America, where small businesses, rural hospitals, barber shops, non-profits, and the like are scrambling for answers and hope, My people in Southern and Eastern Kentucky have responded to this crisis with incredible courage and compassion. Without being prompted, our people are filling in the gaps. I've heard story after story about healthcare workers on the frontlines despite not having the protective equipment they need; churches are shifting online and offering assistance to local families; and neighbors, teachers and community leaders are making sure our school children and seniors don't miss a meal. And this bill provides the necessary confidence they need to know a plan is in place to get through this crisis together. I was proud to work with House and Senate leadership to ensure that this bill protects our small businesses, keeps our hospitals afloat, and provides financial stability to our hardworking families. It also provides much needed funding for medical supplies, and ensures our cities, counties, and states have the resources necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens. As Ranking Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I would also like to note that this bill provides critical funding for the State Department to respond to the pandemic at United States diplomatic facilities around the globe, to support continued consular services to Americans abroad, and for costs associated with bringing home Americans that have been stranded overseas. Funding is also provided to ensure all Peace Corps volunteers get home safe. Lastly, funds are included to support humanitarian assistance needs related to the coronavirus internationally. But above all else, the most important thing this bill does is bring hope to Americans searching for a way to protect the health of their families and their livelihood. Mr. Speaker, since our country's birth nearly 250 years ago, the American people have faced a myriad of challenges. And in every one of these instances, we have pulled together and overcome. I have full faith that we will do so again, and this bill helps ensure that we will be victorious. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 748.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill, H.R. 6074. This coronavirus emergency supplemental, as has been said, provides $7.8 billion in additional appropriations for the U.S. response to coronavirus. Within the total, more than $2 billion is included for the Centers for Disease Control, and $1 billion is for State and local preparedness. The bill also provides more than $4 billion for research and development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. As ranking member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I would also highlight the $1.25 billion in the bill for the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development, AID. These funds will help protect Americans abroad and support efforts to contain the virus worldwide. Specifically, it includes: $264 million to maintain consular operations, pay for evacuation expenses, and address other emergency preparedness needs at our embassies and consulates around the world; $435 million in global health funds, including $200 million for the emergency reserve fund that we established in 2017 to address emerging health threats abroad; $300 million of international disaster assistance funding to respond to humanitarian needs related to the virus; $250 million for economic and security needs in countries facing instability because of the virus; and $1 million for the USAID inspector general to perform oversight of coronavirus response activities. The bill also requires a comprehensive strategy to respond to the coronavirus overseas and regular reporting on the use of the funds so that we know how the moneys are being spent. Madam Speaker, this is a good bill. The resources are needed urgently, and I urge our colleagues to vote ``aye.''

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lee County, Kentucky's 115th county established on March I, 1870. Nestled in Kentucky's Appalachian region, legendary explorers like Dr. Thomas Walker and Daniel Boone are among the first recorded frontiersman in Lee County and the Three Forks area, a land rich with beautiful hillsides and streams serving as an undisturbed habitat for wildlife and premier hunting. Some of the earliest successful industries were birthed from natural resources on the land, including pine tar, saltpeter, coal mining, and oil and timber operations, connecting this small Appalachian community to the U.S. Navy, the Great Lakes and the nation's energy grid. For many years, the Three Forks Region served as an economic hub in Eastern Kentucky with access to the Kentucky River and railroads to transport timber, coal and oil. Utilizing former coalfields and the Daniel Boone National Forest, which covers much of the region, Lee County offers premier territory for the tourism industry. In fact, the Beattyville Coal Seam will soon serve as a starting point for challenging hiking and mountain biking trails, leading visitors and residents through a beautiful autumn canopy and the unique limestone cliffs that draw countless rock climbers from around the world. Among all of the resources in Lee County's 150-year history, the very best resource has been local residents. The people of Lee County have proven to be resilient and loyal, innovative and resourceful, exhibiting the enduring compassion and charm that draws visitors to our unique corner of the world. Over the last two decades, volunteers from across the county have dedicated time and energy to the Eastern Kentucky PRIDE organization, enhancing the environment and restoring the beauty of our hillsides and streams. Likewise, through joint local, state and federal efforts, we have been able to expand access to clean water and sanitary sewer for residents and businesses over the last 40 years, paving the way for new industry and job creation. Since 2003, countless volunteers have partnered with Operation UNITE to combat the deadly drug abuse epidemic in Eastern Kentucky, promoting prevention in our schools and connecting families to critical recovery resources and support. Through SOAR--Shaping Our Appalachian Region, we continue to work together toward innovative solutions to diversify our economy, expand access to high-performing broadband in every community, and pave a brighter future for upcoming generations. Finally, any time I think of Lee County, I'm reminded that it is the homeplace of highly respected war heroes, like the late retired Army Major General Charles Beach, Junior, as well as outstanding individuals, like Will Smith, my former Chief of Staff and Staff Director on the House Appropriations Committee, who served as my long- time advisor. Many sons and daughters of Lee County have risen up among the ranks to help lead this great Nation and I'm confident that the same will be true over the next century. Being mindful of the challenges and successes that have written the story of Lee County's past, I am certain that the best days are ahead, and I join the entire community in this 150-year celebration.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Citizens National Bank in southern Kentucky, an incredible milestone for a small business in rural America. The first Citizens National Bank opened on Valentine's Day in 1920 in Somerset, Kentucky's public square. Over the last 100 years, this community bank has been recognized as a local leader, affording individuals and families the opportunity to achieve home ownership, loaning seed funds for entrepreneurial dreamers to start their own businesses, and providing a safe and secure way for families to grow their savings and retirement accounts. Persevering through changes in technology, the bank converted to its first computer system in 1986, added full service automated teller machines (ATMs) in the 1990's, and ventured into mobile banking in 2011. Citizens National Bank was first granted trust powers in 1999 and was listed as a 5 Star Bank by the Bauer Financial Group in the same year, providing new opportunities for growth and progress. Today, the bank's slogan is, ``Moving Forward Together'' and it is an honor to join the countless residents in our region in recognition of Citizens National Bank's centennial year of service spanning four counties. Congratulations to the long line of leaders who established and guided this community bank over the years, providing financial security and hope for local families.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Megan Bell, my Chief of Staff, as she moves on from my Washington office after nearly 13 years of service. During her time on Capitol Hill, she has been a trusted advisor, an appropriations watchdog for this great Nation, and most importantly--a tireless advocate for the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Megan grew up the only daughter of a middle-class, blue-collar Irish-Catholic family. Those ``up-early'' and ``hard-at-it'' values have shown up every day to the Rayburn Building. Knowing the issues that matter most in my home district, she has been a consummate advocate on everything from combatting prescription drug abuse and preserving and protecting the Mill Springs Battlefield, to giving a voice to individuals at risk of losing vital benefits and boosting opportunities in our coalfields. In fact, she helped create a pilot grant program to provide an influx of federal dollars directly to our coal communities for economic development as they continue to rebuild in the wake of the War on Coal, which she precisely described as ``strangulation by regulation.'' Likewise, her tough, dogged oversight of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped protect the business and community interests of our rural region, and the entire Lake Cumberland area during the unprecedented repairs of Wolf Creek Dam. She contributed to the remarkable success of the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit, working alongside my district director Karen Kelly, to rally the White House and leaders from every stake-holder agency to help lead a holistic movement that is now the largest gathering of federal, state and community leaders focused on life- saving efforts to fight the national opioid crisis. The entire prescription drug abuse and opioid fight wasn't just another issue for Megan, but one she passionately invested countless hours to study and understand at every level. She knows the opioid fight, the convictions of my heart, and the challenges in our communities, backwards and forwards. As a result of her expertise and expansive network, we called on other federal leaders to stand up to ``Big Pharma'' corruption, and enacted effective policy and legislative changes, like Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, starting the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, and so many other efforts that will continue to impact the opioid epidemic for many years to come. Navigating legislative ropes, surviving long hours, and becoming a glorified policy wonk inside these historic hallways, requires much more than a juris doctorate, which she impressively earned while working full-time in my office. In her time on my team, Megan has rightfully earned recognition far beyond Washington for her astute knowledge of multiple issues and has truly risen amongst her peers as a result of her sheer moxie, her engaging personality, and always maintaining a refreshing voice of reason. Our staff is much like family and every departure is bittersweet. As we offer well-wishes and work to fill the void of such a talented leader, I wish Megan the very best in the next chapter of her successful life and look forward to witnessing the accomplishments that are sure to come in the future.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mark Davis in appreciation of his dedicated service to the people of Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, specifically through his tireless work with Operation UNITE and the Eastern Kentucky PRIDE organization over the last two decades. I count it a great honor to have had high-caliber individuals, like Mark, helping lead initiatives that I personally launched to meet dire needs across more than 40 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky. He's the type of individual who has sacrificed countless hours, executing a broad spectrum of tasks with his unique charisma, the utmost humility, a tireless reliability and sheer excellence. Mark joined Eastern Kentucky PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment) in 2002 as a Field Representative. PRIDE is a grassroots non-profit organization that was launched to help clean-up the hillsides, roadways, lakes and streams, across our beautiful Appalachian region in Kentucky. Thanks in-large-part to Mark's ambition, organizational skills, and drive, upwards of 30,000 volunteers have participated in litter clean-up campaigns every year to improve the environment. There has never been a task too great or too small for Mark. He was always the first to graciously give his time and energy for the greater good, whether it involved greeting volunteers at events and handing out trash bags, or working directly with state officials to clean up the largest illegal dumpsites in Eastern Kentucky, or educating students about the value of greenhouses and protecting our wetlands. While others discussed ways to improve our environment, Mark was outdoors getting the job done. PRIDE's work is where the rubber meets the road--and Mark could often be found pulling up his bootstraps to haul appliances from illegal dumpsites, transport volunteers to service sites, building outdoor classrooms, and finding every opportunity to make a difference every single day. Mark's passion for PRIDE bled over to another powerful movement in our region, Operation UNITE, a holistic non-profit organization aimed at curbing the deadly opioid epidemic both in our region and nationwide. After faithfully volunteering for Camp UNITE, where he served as a mentor to at-risk middle school students, he joined the UNITE team in 2014 as the Youth Programs Coordinator, and later a Law Enforcement Liaison. In an effort to creatively raise drug-free awareness among our youth, Mark operated a state-of-the-art mobile education trailer and prevention program, called ``On the Move,'' in partnership with the Kentucky Army National Guard and the Appalachian High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA). Since 2013, approximately 40,000 students from schools in 43 counties and four states have participated in the interactive program. He also played a valuable role each year at the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit, coordinating logistics for the event that has grown into the largest conference in the country aimed at saving lives and addressing the nation's opioid crisis through a multipronged approach. Mark is the teammate you want to have in the fox hole with you when things get tough, and the comic relief you need on a difficult day. His dedication, his inspirational attitude, and perseverance have set the bar high for programs operated by PRIDE and UNITE. I'm grateful for the personal efforts that he has invested in the lives of countless students and families across Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and I wish him the very best success in the years ahead.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of my friend, Charles Pennington, Junior, who was a true American patriot and an economic development engine for London, Kentucky. Charlie was a thriving work horse every day that he had the ability to serve others. He dedicated 26 years to law enforcement, first as a Kentucky State Trooper, until he was drafted for the Korean War. He honorably served this great Nation in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1959. When he returned home to American soil, he was sworn in as a Laurel County Sheriff's Deputy. One year later, he became a Deputy U.S. Marshal and participated in some of the nation's most historic moments in time. In fact, he escorted the first African American student into an integrated school and was featured in Norman Rockwell's captivating painting of that fateful day. During my first year in office, representing Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, I was honored to recommend Charlie's promotion to U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the role, serving 67 Kentucky counties, until his retirement. During what could have been long restful years of retirement, Charlie invested his time and energy to recruiting businesses and creating new jobs in Laurel County through the London Planning and Zoning Commission and the London Laurel County Industrial Authority--and he wasn't just good at it, he was great. Charlie helped transform Laurel County into an industrial hub for our entire region. He was instrumental in developing a desperately needed new industrial park, which now rightfully bears his name. Thanks to his tireless efforts to lay a healthy economic foundation and landscape in Laurel County, the I-75 corridor will continue to progress for generations to follow. Aside from his official duties, Charlie volunteered countless hours to the Laurel County Fire Department and other civic organizations. He made a difference in our region and we can already see the growth made possible by his dedication. I am forever grateful for his friendship and partnership on economic development projects over the years. My wife, Cynthia, and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Charlie's entire family and his countless friends across the state.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the first vote series today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 691.

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky

Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this package to fund government operations in fiscal year 2020. I extend my congratulations to this dynamic duo, the first time we have ever had females occupy the chair and ranking member of this committee and, for that matter, I guess, any other committee in the House. This dynamic duo has produced a very good document, a very good exercise of the power of the purse of the Congress granted by the Constitution. I salute these two and wish them well as the day progresses. As a former chair of the full committee, I know of the extreme patience that is required in this job that they are occupying and the difficulty of getting 435 Members in this body, as well as the other body, the White House, and the world, together under any stretch of the imagination, but they have done that. It is difficult to do, and we salute them for it. I especially, having been there, thank them for the great patience that they have shown in putting this bill together. This first package before us reflects our commitment to our Nation's security and our military leadership across the world. The Department of Defense receives additional resources to support our warfighters with the best available technology. We also provide these brave men and women with a hard-earned and well-deserved pay raise. Within the committee, I have been particularly focused on keeping the DOD's electronic health records on track, meshing DOD's medical records with that of the VA. This bill takes bold steps in the right direction to ensure our servicemembers continue to receive the best medical care when they transition out of Active Duty and into the hands of the VA. Second, President Trump is rightly focused on addressing the crisis at our southern border. This legislation will support his efforts to end the seemingly unending flow of drugs that found their way into every American community and, practically, every American home, as well as the violence of the brutal cartels that profit immensely from this trade. Nearly $1.4 billion is included for the border wall, along with additional resources for the Department of Homeland Security to hire more personnel and deploy advanced technology in this region. We were also able to eliminate dangerous riders that would have limited the President's ability to enforce our immigration laws while still ensuring a strong humanitarian response that reflects our values as Americans. This package also continues our momentum in the fight against opioid abuse and addiction. With targeted resources for the Department of Justice and other Federal agencies, the diverse programs funded in this bill reflect the holistic strategy that Congress has embraced against this problem: enforcement, treatment, education, and prevention, all working in concert, in a holistic fashion. Drug courts, veterans treatment courts, and prescription drug monitoring programs receive robust support in this first package.