Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

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

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. DesJarlais), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman), the chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jackson), who is the chairman of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), who is the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Moylan), who is a member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Kiggans), an outstanding member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), an outstanding and very passionate member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. McGuire), an outstanding freshman member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Haridopolos).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. First, I want to take a minute to thank the ranking member. As anybody who has listened to this debate can just tell, he is a very bright, very thoughtful, articulate fellow, and I am very fortunate that he is my partner in running the Armed Services Committee. I also thank Chairman Roger Wicker of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Ranking Member Jack Reed. They also are very passionate, thoughtful bipartisan Members of Congress. This product that we bring before the House today is a result of this bipartisan, bicameral effort. For those of us who have been around here a long time, we used to see more of this. We don't now. It is refreshing to see this kind of effort, this kind of product come to the floor in these more recent years of toxicity in this town and in this Chamber. That toxicity is not reflected in this product. I also thank our staff for their outstanding work. This is literally a cumulative product of 11 months of a lot of hard staff work. The House Legislative Counsel, the CBO, and the Parliamentarian staff here, leadership staff, as we saw just before this came to the floor, there have been a lot of people pulling hard to get this done, but it has resulted in this product. A lot of folks don't think about this, but this authorization bill is a massive piece of legislation, not just including what is riding along with it today from other committees, but in and of itself it authorizes over half of all discretionary spending. This is a big deal. It also has been done for 64 consecutive years. No matter which party has control of the White House, and no matter which party has control of this Chamber, we find a way to make sure our servicemembers have what they need to be successful and safe. I am very proud of this committee. I am very proud of this product. I am proud of the partnership that we have had with the other party. It is an important bill. I urge our Members to be supportive of it and to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Bersheba Austin as Human Resources Director for the City of Anniston, Alabama. Bersheba received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Faulkner University in 2008, an associate's degree in science from Gadsden State Community College in 1995 and a Bookkeeping and Accounting Diploma from Ayers State Technical College in 1982. She is a 1995 graduate of Cleburne County High School. Bersheba came to work for the City of Anniston in August of 2000 as Clerk Typist. She moved up the ranks to Payroll Clerk, Personnel Specialist, and finally Human Resources Director. Bersheba has dedicated 25 years to the City of Anniston. She is a member of the Alabama Association of Public Personnel Administrators and the Public Sector Human Resources Association. She also served in leadership roles for the IPMA-HR Southern Region organization. Bersheba is blessed with two daughters, Ashley Burton and Alayna Pernell, and two grandchildren. On December 10, 2025, an event will be held to celebrate her retirement at the Anniston City Meeting Center. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Bersheba Austin on her retirement and thanking her for her dedication and service to the City of Anniston. I congratulate Bersheba.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of Gadsden State Community College. Gadsden State is currently under the leadership of President Alan Smith. One of the initial founding institutions of Gadsden State is the Alabama School of Trades. It was established in 1925 as the first state-operated trade school in Alabama and the entire southern United States. Classes began on September 16, 1925, with 42 students enrolled in the inaugural class. Four courses were available: printing, electricity, bricklaying and cabinetmaking. All students lived in the newly constructed dormitory equipped with modern conveniences such as steam heat and plumbing that featured hot and cold running water. Students helped government workmen lay bricks to build the school's first permanent two-story buildings. The Alabama School of Trades continued to thrive as a training center for the area's technical industry with increasing student enrollment and course offerings. In 1942, courses were converted to War Training. At the close of World War II, new courses were added to help veterans re-enter the workforce such as: Radio, TV, Auto Mechanics, Machine Shop, Refrigeration, Drafting, Photography, Upholstery, Auto Body, Barbering, General Farm Dairy, Poultry and Heavy Equipment. In 1973, the school's name was changed to the Alabama Technical College and began offering associate in applied technology degrees. In 1985, the Alabama Technical College merged with Gadsden State Community College and is now known as the East Broad Campus. It is home to many of Gadsden State's workforce development programs such as Precision Machining, Mechanical Design, Industrial Automation, Welding, Electrical, Electronic Technology, Salon/Spa, Court Reporting, Truck Driving, Skid Steer Training, Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy and Civil Engineering. As a result of mergers and expansion of services, Gadsden State is now a sprawling Community College with five campuses including East Broad, Wallace Drive, Valley Street (HBCU), Ayers and Cherokee. Gadsden State serves Etowah, Calhoun, Cleburne, Cherokee and St. Clair counties in northeast Alabama. There are 70 programs of study offered to over 5,000 students. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Gadsden State Community College a happy 100th anniversary.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of Anita Bedwell, a City Councilwoman for Rainbow City, Alabama. Anita was born in Rainbow City to Eugene and Loretta Wimpee on August 27, 1961, along with her sisters, Lisa Abernathy and Susie Carr. She graduated from Southside High School in 1979, attended Gadsden State Community College, and graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in Dental Hygiene. After working as a dental hygienist for 15 years, Anita joined her family's construction business and eventually started her own business, Rainbow Pipe and Metal. Councilwoman Bedwell has tirelessly served on the Rainbow City Council for 17 years. She was first elected in 2008 and has served four terms. As a member of the City Council, she has been an integral part of growing Rainbow City into the fastest- growing city in Etowah County. Rainbow City would not be the thriving community it is today without her leadership. Anita has served on the Utilities Board since 2013 and served as the chairwoman in 2019. Anita married Jeff Bedwell on October 22, 1983. They have one son, Andrew (Chance), and two grandsons, Britton and Cotton Bedwell. A devout Christian, she has been a member of Riddles Bend Baptist Church since 1981 and has served as a children's Sunday School teacher. In her free time, Anita enjoys volunteering for Renew our Rivers and Rainbow City Clean Up Day, as well as traveling, boating, cattle farming, and spending as much time as possible with friends and family. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Councilwoman Anita Bedwell, and thanking her for her service to Rainbow City, Alabama. Congratulations to Anita.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Gary Fuller, Mayor of the City of Opelika, Alabama. Mayor Fuller has tirelessly served the City of Opelika for over 20 years. He served on the City Council from 2000 to 2004 and was first elected Mayor August 24, 2004. As Mayor, he established Opelika as the first gig city in Alabama. He helped establish a first-class Pre-K program and helped with plans to renovate Opelika High School. He led the charge for a new sports complex, library, fire department, police building and municipal court facility. He was instrumental in the development of the Tiger Town shopping district and revitalization of Opelika's downtown. Because of the influx of citizens, over 2,500 new single-family homes have been built. He created the Commission on Crime & Violence in 2018 to help decrease crime. A graduate of Southern Union State Community College, Fuller was President and CEO of Fuller Broadcasting Company, Inc. from 1985 until 1998. His six stations (WKKR, WMXA, WZMG, WTLM, WCJM and WPLV) received numerous awards for community service and local news coverage. In 1988, WZMG and WKKR became the first stations in Alabama to earn the National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award for community service. He was also Managing General Partner for Fuller Properties, LTD and former host of the Lee County Report. He's served as past President of The United Way of Lee County, Opelika Rotary Club and The Opelika Chamber of Commerce. He has served as past director of Opelika Dixie Youth Baseball, Opelika Main Street, Opelika Utilities Board, Opelika Arts Association, Lee County Salvation Army, Achievement Center Easter Seals, Chattahoochee Council Boy Scouts of America, Chattahoochee Historical Commission and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County. Mayor Fuller has served the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (Chairman), Alabama League of Municipalities (Past President), Alabama Monument Protection (Vice Chair), Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, Lee- Russell Council of Governments, Opelika Planning Commission, Auburn University Regional Airport, Master Mason and member of Twin City Lodge No. 76, Emeritus Certified Municipal Official by League of Municipalities, National League of Cities Christian Public Officials Caucus, Julius E. Talton Endowed Program Support Fund and University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences. He received the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, Opelika Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, ``Small Businessperson of the Year'' and Chancellor's Award Outstanding Alumni--Southern Union State Community College. He is married to his wife, Laura, and has two children. The Fullers are active members of First Methodist of Opelika. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing my friend, Mayor Fuller, and thanking him for his service to the City of Opelika. Congratulations to Mayor Fuller.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor Dr. Ken Bodiford. Dr. Bodiford served as Director of Bands at my alma mater, Jacksonville State University. During his 32-year tenure, he transformed the Marching Southerners into one of the most respected and accomplished collegiate marching programs in the Nation. Under Dr. Bodiford's leadership, the Marching Southerners expanded from approximately 140 members to more than 500, becoming one of the largest collegiate marching ensembles in the country. His vision and commitment to excellence elevated the Southerners to national and international acclaim, representing Jax State and the State of Alabama on some of the world's most prestigious stages. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Bodiford led the Southerners in performances at the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in 2024, the World Peace Parade in 2019, the Bands of America Grand National Championships in 2019 and 2002, the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor in 2016, the London New Year's Day Parade in 2012 and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1995. Dr. Bodiford served as Director of the Spirit of JSU Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001 to 2007, guiding the ensemble to multiple Top 12 finishes at the Drum Corps International World Championships. He also served as Director of the United States Army All-American Marching Band from 2016 to 2017, leading some of the nation's most talented young musicians in performances of the highest caliber. His contributions to music education have been recognized nationally through his election to Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity, which honors exceptional leadership and lifelong dedication to the advancement of band music. Beyond his professional achievements, his greatest legacy lies in the generations of students, educators and performers he has mentored. Dr. Bodiford's career stands as a testament to the power of vision, passion and leadership in shaping both institutions and lives. His tireless dedication has brought great honor to Jax State, the Marching Southerners and the State of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Jax State fans and family, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary career of Dr. Kenneth G. ``Ken'' Bodiford.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Chair, in recent years, China has increased the size, scope, and complexity of its drills around Taiwan. As Admiral Paparo has said: These are not exercises. They are rehearsals for a forced reunification. President Trump understands that supporting Taiwan's self-defense now is the surest way to deter CCP aggression. I agree. That is why the President and the Pentagon requested $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative in FY26. This bill fully funds President Trump's budget request. To do otherwise would put peace and security in Taiwan at risk. Therefore, I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, pursuant to House Resolution 682, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), my friend and the chairman of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I agree with Chairman Hill that our committees have a lot of ground to cover on authorities to strengthen the defense industrial base. Mr. Messmer's amendment is a good attempt to break through some of the bureaucracy that has hampered those efforts. I commit to Chairman Hill that we will work with him and his committee on the defense industrial base matters that arise in the conference on the NDAA. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).