Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I am curious about the announcement that the administration is in support of this and is working toward this, because they have already issued an announcement that they oppose this piece of legislation. So, if it did pass, it would be vetoed by the President. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), an outstanding member of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest), a member of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill demonstrates just how disingenuous Democrats are about securing our borders and fixing our broken immigration system. Their Caucus is in such disarray on this issue that it took them 10 weeks and a hatchet just to find a compromise among themselves. Now, they are going to send another partisan messaging bill to the Senate, where it will promptly die. Congratulations on the press release. Mr. Speaker, we watched an unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfold on our Southwest border this year. It used to be that when this country faced a crisis, Democrats and Republicans came together to solve it and ensure it didn't happen again. Unfortunately, that is no longer the practice under Democratic control. When Democrats are ready to legislate with real solutions to problems this country faces, Republicans stand ready to work with them. In the meantime, I urge all Members to oppose this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I find it amazing that the majority, the Democrat majority, would like to see us prioritize establishing electronic medical records for illegal immigrants when we still haven't been able to provide that for veterans in our country or our military, and we have been working on it for years. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), a member of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2203. Over this past fiscal year, law enforcement has encountered nearly a million migrants illegally crossing the southwest border. For months, records of migrant families and unaccompanied children overwhelmed obsolete Customs and Border Protection facilities, creating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. And for months, Democrats did nothing. They said the crisis wasn't real. Then they said the President manufactured it. Then, after months of ignoring pictures of children and families living in overcrowded conditions, Democrats finally agreed to the President's request for emergency funding. Now, thanks to that funding and the administration's efforts to reach agreements with Mexico and some Northern Triangle countries, the crisis has finally abated. Congress should use this opportunity to advance a bipartisan bill to address the causes of the border crisis and prevent another one from happening. Unfortunately, Democrats have chosen to squander the opportunity. Instead, they decided to move yet another partisan messaging bill that stands no chance of becoming law. All this bill does is waste taxpayers' dollars on a duplicative new office designed to demoralize law enforcement and serve the demands of illegal immigrants. It should really be called the illegal immigrant customer service act. The bill creates a new ombudsman at the Department of Homeland Security to collect and review complaints made by illegal immigrants against Federal law enforcement officers. The Department already has an Office of Inspector General and an Office for Civil Rights and Liberties required by law to collect and investigate complaints against DHS personnel, as well as recommended relief for the complainant. Both offices maintain tip lines for anonymous complaints and websites to collect complaints, and both regularly report to Congress on their caseload. It is unclear how creating another bureaucrat with a duplicative mission will improve the current process. It is clear, however, that this new bureaucrat will further demoralize the men and women of law enforcement. The bill empowers the ombudsman to scrutinize the training and conduct of ICE and CBP officers on an ongoing basis. The bill also includes a bogus oversight panel comprised of so-called quality of life indicators to make recommendations on how ICE and CBP officers should carry out their law enforcement mission. Every day, the men and women of ICE and CBP put their lives in danger to keep our families and communities safe. They faithfully and skillfully carry out their duty to enforce Federal immigration law. Congress should be moving legislation to thank them, not second-guess and criticize them. Mr. Speaker, this legislation started out as an attempt by Democrats to appease radical leftwing open border activists. The original bill was chock-full of so many absurd provisions that the Speaker was forced to pull it from floor consideration in July. The bill has been rewritten six times to get it to this point where just enough Democrats will vote for it to pass it. But it didn't have to be such a partisan exercise. We could have worked together to move comprehensive legislation to truly prevent another crisis at our border. Republicans are ready and willing to work with Democrats on serious proposals to reform our asylum laws to reduce the pull factors for illegal immigration, to protect vulnerable families and children from exploitation by human smugglers, to expand migrant processing and long- term housing facilities to eliminate dangerous overcrowding, and to hire additional immigration lawyers and judges to reduce the unprecedented backlog in asylum cases. When this partisan bill fails to move in the Senate, I hope Democrats will finally choose policy over politics and will agree to work with Republicans on solutions to our border security problems. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

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

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. In the mid-1960s, NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr., envisioned a bigger and faster track on the NASCAR circuit. After meeting with local race car driver and race fan, Bill Ward of Anniston, Alabama, the location was selected for the track and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Alabama International Motor Speedway (today known as Talladega Superspeedway) took place on May 23, 1968. The first race, the Talladega 500 (now the 1000Bulbs.com 500), was held on September 14, 1969, with Richard Brickhouse winning the race. The race played a major role in NASCAR's history as many of the top stars of the sport walked out the day before the race due to concerns of tire wear on the nearly 200 mph track. Mr. France said the race would go on and recruited drivers from the smaller NASCAR Touring Series, the Bama 400, the day before. The Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive race track on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest- banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles) as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Talladega Superspeedway.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding time and for his leadership on our committee. I rise in support of Ranking Member Thornberry's motion to instruct conferees. It is vital that Congress fund all of the projects that have been listed today as we vote later. The Senate did the right thing, and now the House should follow suit. Securing our border is a vital component to national security. If we can't control our borders, then we cannot tell the American people they are secure at home. Even President Obama's former Attorney General, Eric Holder, said just this week: ``Democrats have to understand that borders mean something.'' This motion to instruct conferees supports the President's task of keeping America safe. It also supports our military by funding construction projects, including the weapons maintenance shop at Anniston Army Depot in my district. This project would consolidate maintenance operations that currently happen in different buildings in different States under one roof. This facility is in preparation for future modernizations in support of our force readiness. This is a simple vote today for securing our borders and building projects for the military. I urge support of this motion.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the Auburn University Bass Fishing Club for winning the first ever Major League Fishing College Redcrest National Championship. The championship took place in August in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on the Mississippi River. The Auburn University Bass Fishing Club was founded in 2007. This season, the club will compete in up to 20 events. Club members include Logan Parks, Lucas Lindsay, Will Phillips, Chase Mundhenke, Patch Pelt and Anthony Vinston. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Auburn University Bass Fishing Club.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 50th wedding anniversary of Henry and Lona Mullinax. Henry and Lona were married on August 29, 1969, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Anniston, Alabama, and spent their honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Lona transferred from Oxford High School to Walter Wellborn High School in 1967 where Henry was in school. The first time Henry saw Lona, she was walking the length of the football field on her hands. She was a cheerleader and Henry was a football player. They began dating in February of 1969 and have been together ever since. Henry attended college while working at Food Town Groceries and Lona worked for Western Super Markets in the home office in Birmingham, Alabama. They leased a 12-unit motel in early 1970 where Henry would attend college in the mornings, had the domestic help handle the office until returning at noon and then ran the office, did the maintenance and rented the rooms all afternoon and throughout the night. They lived in a 12 12 room with a small kitchenette behind the check-in counter for a year. Henry then got a job with Dresser Industries (M&H Valve) who paid every dime of his education. He later moved on to the car business and today owns Mullinax Auto Sales and serves as President of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. Lona and Henry are blessed with two daughters and two grandchildren. For their 50th wedding anniversary, they are taking a trip to Denali in Alaska and will go to Fairbanks for a week-long cruise with family and friends. They will renew their vows with the Captain of the ship. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing this milestone for my good friends Henry and Lona. Congratulations.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the life of Ramiah Elizabeth Leonard. Ramiah was born on February 16, 2009 to Eugene and Rasheda Leonard in Jacksonville, Alabama. They chose a very special name for their special delivery who was born on her mother's birthday. Her godparents, Sherman and Latoya Young, Jr., were named at her birth. Princess Ramiah was a sassy toddler and grew into an active child. She loved music, singing and dancing. She could always be found adorned in the latest fashions including glitter lip gloss. She attended DeArmanville Elementary School and Oxford Elementary School. She was in fifth grade at C.E. Hanna Elementary School and a proud member of the Jacket Singing Sensations. She also attended the TLC Camp Life Enrichment After School program. Ramiah accepted Christ at the age of eight under the leadership of her father. She loved Jesus Christ and was an active member of The Life Center Church. On August 30, 2019 at 8:08 am, Ramiah passed away exchanging her princess crown for a set of wings. Her legacy will live on through her parents. Madam Speaker, please join me in remembering the life of Ramiah Elizabeth.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the life of Nancy Parker Boyd. Nancy was born in Opelika, Alabama, on July 27, 1966 to Bill and Patsy Parker. She graduated from Opelika High School and was the first African American Miss OHS. Nancy also graduated with honors from the University of Alabama College of Communications Information Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1988. Nancy was a five-time Emmy Award winning journalist, received five Edward R. Murrow awards and numerous Associated Press awards for her reporting and documentary work. She began her interest in journalism in high school where she wrote for the Mainstreet Gazette and was an anchor on the WJHO radio station. She spent time working in the late Congressman Bill Nichols' press office and then started her first job in television in 1989. She worked for WTVM in Columbus, Georgia, WSFA in Montgomery, Alabama, and spent over 20 years at WVUE in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nancy was married to Glynn Boyd and had three children: Parker, Piper and Pierce. Madam Speaker, please join me in remembering the life of Nancy Parker Boyd.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the life of James Joseph McCarthy. Jim was born in Boston to Joseph and Anne McCarthy and sister, Louise (McCarthy) Faulstich. He was an allstar-football and basketball player in high school. He graduated from Suffolk University and served in the United States Army from January 1946 through June 1947. Jim worked as a successful insurance executive and was best known for his 29 years on ``The Sports Huddle.'' This weekly radio show was a raucous, call-in program with up to 20,000 callers on any given night. One of many memorable antics was when he and his two partners, life- long friend, Mark Witkin and Eddie Andelman, placed a live call to Buckingham Palace to ask if the New England Patriots could exchange two of their guards for two of theirs. ``The Sports Huddle'' also publicly accused President Nixon of ``first degree oversight'' after he neglected to congratulate the Bruins for their Stanley Cup Victory. Thousands of listeners sent letters to the White House demanding action and shortly after, the Bruins received a congratulatory telegram from President Nixon along with a declaration that the Boston Bruins were number one. Jim was also part owner and president of Foxboro Raceway which was eventually sold to become part of Gillette Stadium. He loved to read, run on Nantasket beach, travel with Patricia and play tennis with his buddies. He was handsome with blue eyes that twinkled and was always impeccably dressed. He loved the saltwater and his idea of bliss was a hotdog, a cold beer and the sea. He was a devoted and adoring husband, father and grandfather and will be missed dearly. One of his seven grandchildren, Ethan, works for me in Washington. A celebration of Jim's life will be held September 11th. Madam Speaker, please join me in remembering the life of James Joseph McCarthy.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize Dixie Green, Inc. of Cherokee County for being named Alabama's Farm of Distinction. The honor was awarded in Birmingham, Alabama in April. The owners of Dixie Green, Hank and Shelia Richardson, will represent Alabama in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest. Dixie Green is a greenhouse business known for poinsettias and other plants. The family business has almost 12 acres of heated greenhouse space and eight acres of outside plant pads. They provide poinsettias for places like Opryland and Disney World. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Richardson Family and Dixie Green on this honor.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 100th birthday of Willie Maude Atkinson. Willie Maude Atkinson was born on August 20, 1919 to Maude and Will Bates of Hobson City, Alabama. She attended the Calhoun County Training School (formerly C.E. Hanna Elementary School and currently Hobson City Hall), and has been a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church since 1930. In 1942, Willie Maude married Clyde R. Atkinson. Clyde passed away in 1988. They were blessed with three children, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. She is the oldest citizen born in Hobson City, and the oldest member of the Priscilla and Aquila Order of the Eastern Star. In the early 1940s, Willie Maude was hired by Howard and Katherine Bentley to assist with the care of their seven children while Mr. Bentley was serving overseas during World War II. The Bentley children and grandchildren considered her a ``second mother and grandmother.'' She remained employed by them until her retirement in the late 1990s. She also assisted the Bailey, Dewberry, Dumas and Pyles families with home care. Willie Maude Atkinson has positively influenced many lives in her lifetime. She is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her family and her ``adopted'' families. Her love and wisdom have been passed on for several generations. Madam Speaker, please join me in wishing Willie Maude Atkinson a happy 100th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, if this unanimous consent request cannot be entertained, I urge the Speaker and majority leader to immediately schedule the Born-Alive bill so we can stand up and protect the sanctity of human life.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Willie Stroud, Jr. Willie, a 96-year old World War II Veteran, plans to attend his Webb, Rowell, Fielder and Lockhart Family Reunion at the end of July. He was born in Auburn, Alabama, in 1922 to Will Stroud Sr. and Ida Mae Rowell Stroud. Willie was inducted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served until 1946. While in the 25th Infantry, he was a truck driver and Rifle Specialist. He received the American Theater Service and the World War II Victory Medals. With an honorable discharge, Willie, his siblings and his Mother migrated to Roseville, Michigan, and settled there after the Army. Willie worked as a truck driver for Roadway, making deliveries of freight throughout the United States and later worked in a steel mill in Detroit, Michigan. Later in life, he decided to become a business owner, buying a truck to become the beloved ``Vegetable Man'' in the blue truck on the east side of Detroit. He also owned and operated several fish markets on the eastside of Detroit and even has a secret batter for frying fish. Willie married several times and was blessed with several children: Arabelle (deceased), Rodger (deceased), Roscoe, Lany, Brenda (deceased) and Deborah Stroud. He currently resides with his daughter in Southfield, Michigan. He enjoys church, traveling, shopping, spending time with family during his yearly birthday bash and attending the Family Reunions over the years. Willie plans to attend the family picnic and banquet at the Loachapoka Enrichment Center, and church service at Mt Pelia Missionary Baptist Church in Camp Hill, Alabama. The Webb, Rowell, Fielder and Lockhart Family will also attend the Civil Rights Museum in Montgomery during the reunion at the end of the month. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life of Willie Stroud, Jr.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Captain (Ret.) Kenneth Griffith who passed away on July 5, 2019. A Full Military Honors graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Crook Cemetery in Ohatchee. Kenneth is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sandra (Bowman) Griffith; three daughters, Keli Griffith, Kendra G. Hollaway, and Kerri G. Ladd; seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was born in Blue Mountain on January 29, 1940, and grew up in Anniston, Alabama. After graduating from Anniston High School, he joined the U.S. Army. He began his career with the Military Police at Ft. McClellan and was stationed throughout the Southeast and in Europe. His final station was in Cu Chi, northeast of Saigon, with the 25th Infantry Division. On the ninth time he was shot down by the enemy, while defending his load of wounded casualties, the front bubble of the helicopter was shattered by gunfire, grievously wounding both himself and his co-pilot who passed out. Griffith fought on and succeeded in flying his disabled helicopter back to camp, accomplishing a controlled crash landing before succumbing to his own wounds. For his heroism he was awarded the third highest military honor, the Silver Star. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster after a seven-hour helicopter battle with Viet Cong guerillas. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor by his commanding officer. During his military service he also received the Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Aviator Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with three stars, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with two loops and the National Defense Medal. After completing physical rehabilitation due to the loss of his leg in combat, Capt. Griffith officially retired and returned to his hometown. Griffith chose Jacksonville State University to continue his education where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1974, a Master of Public Administration in Criminal Justice in 1975 and a Master of Science in Personnel Counseling in 1976 from Jacksonville State University. Griffith was a Master Mason and long-time member of Golden Springs Baptist Church. Told that the loss of his leg would limit his physical capabilities, he took great satisfaction in proving the doctors wrong. He went on to teach his children how to water and snow ski, playing and coaching them in several sports. Lovingly referred to as `The Captain' or `Cap' by everyone, he will be forever remembered as a loving and devoted man. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring his life of service.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Johnny (Sal) Gardner and his coaching career. Staring in 1967, Coach Sal has devoted his life to his community coaching the city's youth in football, baseball and basketball. During his years as the head football coach at Oxford, he achieved over 225 wins and had a 49-game winning streak from 1999 to 2005. He also coached baseball for 47 years where he won or tied for the area championship four times, had numerous playoff appearances and coached over 550 athletes, including my children, during his tenure there. He won two state championships in youth baseball in 1985 and 1990. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Coach Sal for his dedication to our local youth.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Chairwoman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.