Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today in commemoration of the David and Pat Hartline Day. David is a retired LTC, U.S. Army, best-selling author and past State Commander of the American Legion. David has invested over 50 years of his life assisting veterans and their families with the problems they face. He has been nominated for the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his service to this country, its veterans and youth programs. He been named veteran of the year by the Governor of Alabama and was proclaimed a super citizen by TBS television station. Pat is a retired registered nurse with over 50 years of service. She is actively involved with the American Legion Auxiliary. Pat served with the American Heart Association for a number of years, where she taught principles of heart disease as well as CPR to professionals, students, and communities. David and Pat have raised four children, ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. They currently reside on the farm that has been in the family since 1840. The towns of Centre, Cedar Bluff, Leesburg, Gaylesville, and Sand Rock declared Saturday, October 7, 2023 as David and Pat Hartline Day. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, please join me in commemorating David and Pat Hairline Day. I thank them for their service to our Nation, our communities, and our veterans.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Vickie McCurdy as she celebrates 50 years in the banking industry with Farmers and Merchants Bank. Vickie was born on January 19, 1955. She married her husband, Gary McCurdy, on June 15, 1973. Her first day at work was October 1, 1973. Vickie and Gary were blessed with one son, Dr. Matthew McCurdy. Matthew is married to Elisha, and they are expecting Vickie's first grandchild early next year. Vickie attends Lebanon Church of Christ in Piedmont, Alabama, where her husband, Gary, serves as pastor. Vickie has worked to raise money for the American Cancer Society for a number of years and helped with the Spring Garden Education Foundation. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing this milestone for Vickie McCurdy. Congratulations to her on 50 years of service.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I share the sentiment of the most recent speaker. I think it is shameful that the DOD has been playing games with the troops in this country. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this motion to instruct. This motion seeks to strip language in the House bill that prohibits the Department of Defense from spending taxpayer money to facilitate abortion procedures. DOD's abortion travel policy is a flagrant violation of Congress' intent and our Nation's moral principles. This is all part of the Biden administration's politicization of the military. For years, Biden's political appointees have been pushing questionable policies on our troops just to satisfy their ideological agenda. They understand that using military orders is the most efficient way to usher in the rapid social change that they seek. The military should not be used as a petri dish for social experimentation. This is not the right thing to do. Our troops should not be used as the vanguard for the left's social agenda. The civilian leadership at DOD should be focused on building the world's most lethal fighting force. Instead, they are doing somersaults to try to satisfy the far-left's political agenda. This misguided abortion travel policy is just another example. It is a radical overreaction to a problem that doesn't exist. Secretary Austin said that the policy was necessary to avoid significant implications for the readiness of the force, but in the 6 months since this began, there have been less than a handful of people who have exercised this policy. Rather than helping readiness, radical policies like this one are undermining readiness. They are driving away potential recruits, and they are undermining morale and retention. It needs to end. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to oppose this motion, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jackson), an outstanding member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson), a great new member of the Armed Services Committee and a longtime champion of the unborn in America.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I have one correction to make, that this is a new policy. This was not existing policy. It was announced on October 20 against the advice of the congressional leadership and finalized on February 16. They didn't just take existing policy and continue it. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self), a great new freshman Member.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), a longtime champion of the unborn in America.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon), an outstanding member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Indiana.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford), a great member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Van Duyne).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, this provision protects life and restores sanity to the Department of Defense. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to oppose the motion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the motion. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XXII, and by direction of the Committee on Armed Services, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 12 of rule XXII, I move that meetings of the conference between the House and Senate on H.R. 2670 may be closed to the public at such times as classified national security information may be discussed, provided that any sitting Member of Congress shall be entitled to attend any meeting of the conference.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Mr. Harvey Doleman, Sr. Mr. Harvey Doleman, Sr. is a native of Anniston, AL. He received his grammar school education at Central Girard Elementary School, Phenix City, AL, and graduated from South Girard High School in 1953. He attended Chattahoochee Valley Community College. Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Doleman joined the United States Army. Mr. Doleman was assigned to U.S. Army Chemical Corps, Senior Instructor Chemical School, at Ft. McClellan, AL, where he specialized in chemical warfare. He also had overseas assignments during his service including Korea 1956-1957, Germany 1963-1966, Korea 1967-1968 and Vietnam 1970-1971. His final duty assignment and major command was HHC, US Army School/Training Center, TRADOC. He received recognition for his service including National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal (Fourth Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, 2 Oversea Bars, Bronze Star Medal, 6 Service Awards, Stripes and Sharpshooter (Rifle M-14 & Rifle M-16). After serving 20 years, 4 months, and 19 days in the Army, he retired from active duty with an honorable discharge as Sergeant First Class on February 28, 1974. He worked a Civil Service job at the weapon pool at Ft. McClellan, AL after retiring from the Army. Later he fully retired to enjoy life, especially with his family. His family is his pride and joy. He has 5 children--Gwendolyn Carter, Harvey Doleman, Jr., Phyllis Doleman Teague, Sharon Doleman and Frederick Doleman. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. Doleman for his service to our country.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Dr. John Mascia, who has dedicated over 10 years of service as the President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. On January 1, 2013, Dr. Mascia became the 17th President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the nation's most comprehensive education and service program for children, adults, and seniors with hearing and vision loss. Dr. Mascia received his doctorate in Audiology from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Additionally, he holds a master's degree in Audiology and a B.A. degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Hofstra University. Dr. Mascia began his work with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind in January 2005 where he served as Executive Director of the Gentry Facility and Regional Centers until his 2009 promotion to Vice President of Adult Services. Dr. Mascia has received awards from the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind-Alabama-Grider Award, the Alabama Association of the Deaf Alabama Citizen Award, the Council of Organizations Serving Deaf Alabamians Professional of the Year, the Audiology Foundation of America Professional Leadership Award, and the Joan Fox Memorial Award in Audiology. Dr. Mascia is married to Dr. Nancy Mascia, and they have three children, Katie, Chris and Annie. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the retirement of Dr. John Mascia and his service to the state of Alabama.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Mr. Walter Raymond Hall. Walter Raymond Hall was born in Anniston, Alabama. On April 26, 1933, he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and was mustered in as a laborer with Company 463, the Forest Service crew that built Cheaha State Park, Alabama, including the famed Bunker Tower. Hall was honorably discharged from service with the Civilian Conservation Corps in June of 1934. He began his service as a law enforcement officer in May of 1953, when Calhoun County Sheriff A.A. ``Socco'' Pate swore Hall in as Deputy Sheriff. Tragically, in October of 1962 while transferring a prisoner from Calhoun County to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Hall was involved in a car accident. Walter Raymond Hall passed away in November of 1962 from complications related to injuries sustained during the car accident. He was laid to rest at Forestlawn Gardens in Anniston, Alabama. He left behind his wife, Aileen, his two children, Jerry and Gail, a brother, Charlie, and a sister, Birdie Mae. In 2023, Hall's name was placed on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as on the State of Alabama Law Enforcement Memorial in Centennial Memorial Park in Anniston. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life of Mr. Walter Raymond Hall and his service to the State of Alabama.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish John Townsend a happy 85th birthday. John is a native of Talladega County, Alabama. He resides in Fayetteville with his wife, Lola M. Townsend. They have been married for 56 years. He has one son, John Townsend, Jr., who is married to Brenda Townsend and one daughter, Victoria Cook, who is married to Alfred Cook, Sr. Mr. Townsend is blessed with six grandchildren: Jalane, Daria. Alfred, Jr., Johntavis, Cameron, and Alexandria. He has 8 great- grandchildren with the youngest 2 of them twin boys. Mr. Townsend worked for Avondale Mills for more than 29 years before he retired. He also worked for Parker Fertilizer for many years. In his free time, Mr. Townsend enjoys gardening and spending time with his family. To celebrate this milestone, Mr. Townsend is celebrating his 85th birthday at Top of the River restaurant with his family and friends. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing John Townsend a very happy 85th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Mr. Thomas ``Tommy'' Carlisle following his 37-year career at Anniston Army Depot. Mr. Carlisle's service includes travel throughout the United States as well as 4 deployments overseas supporting the mission of the U.S. Army. Tommy has served as a supervisor in 4 divisions including Fielding, Reciprocating Drive Train, Weapons and Track Systems. Additionally, Tommy has served as a Division Chief in 3 divisions including Logistics Management (Fielding), Reciprocating and Tracked Systems. In 2010, he was named Deputy Director of Production where he served for 8 years before becoming selected to serve as the Director of Production. Building on this service, he was selected as Deputy to the Commander at Anniston Army Depot on September 29, 2019. Mr. Carlisle is a native and resident of Lincoln, Alabama. Tommy has been married for 34 years to his wife, Susan. Together, they have 2 children as well as 2 grandchildren. Tommy is an avid University of Alabama fan who enjoys tailgating and traveling to games. Additionally, Tommy enjoys being on the river, riding his Harley and socializing with his friends. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the retirement of Mr. Thomas Carlisle for his 37-year career at Anniston Army Depot.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.