John Rutherford

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, throughout my life, I have answered a call to public service. For 40 years I dedicated my career to serving in law enforcement--12 of which I led as sheriff. I know from firsthand experience that every day law enforcement officers put their lives on the line when they put on their uniform and step out into their communities to keep us safe. That kind of sacrifice is part of the commitment these officers make to protect citizens across the country and is essential to making our communities and neighborhoods safe. Over the past few years, we have seen calls to defund the police sweep across this Nation, and we have heard Members of this very Chamber support efforts to demoralize and delegitimize the brave men and women who enforce our laws to keep us safe. This has made it incredibly difficult for law enforcement officers to do their jobs--not to mention the liberal prosecutors and district attorneys who are failing to do their job to keep criminals off the street. The results? A spike in violent crime that has left cities less safe than they were 3 years ago. I am proud that our House Republicans, led by Speaker McCarthy, are focusing on upholding law and order across America. House Republicans are committed to supporting our law enforcement. That means helping agencies hire more police officers, opposing all efforts to defund the police, and cracking down on those prosecutors and district attorneys who have refused to do their jobs and prosecute crimes. We recently voted to overturn D.C.'s soft-on-crime criminal justice reforms that reduced penalties for people who are committing crimes like carjacking and robbery. Throughout my career in law enforcement, I have seen how failure to prosecute minor crimes leads to more serious violent crimes. We need to work with our leaders in law enforcement--work with them--not against them. That is why I was proud to reintroduce the ` this week. This bill would provide small police departments, with fewer than 200 officers, the resources that they need to hire and retain the best officers, provide necessary training, and improve officer well-being. Small law enforcement departments make up more than 96 percent of our local U.S. police departments. The Invest to Protect Act would simplify the grant process and give departments the flexibility to make meaningful investments in their officers and communities. Part of making grants more accessible to law enforcement agencies is by removing strings to Federal money. I have been fighting against President Biden's efforts to empower the U.S. Attorney General to make training and policy decisions, moving local policing decisions from local sheriffs and local police chiefs to the Federal Government. That is a very scary idea for someone who understands the importance of keeping policing local. The strength of America's domestic security lies in the diversity of our State and local law enforcement. We can start by defunding sections 19 and 20 of the President's executive order on policing which require law enforcement agencies who receive Federal money to be accredited to standards that are set by the AG and to meet a list of policies, also decided by the Attorney General, before they are eligible for Federal grant money. Any move to nationalize local law enforcement must be resisted at every turn. Most importantly, we must do all we can to keep law enforcement officers safe while they are on duty. That is why I reintroduced the Protect and Serve Act again this year to strengthen penalties on criminals who violently target our law enforcement officers. We must hold these criminals accountable and show our officers that we have their backs. As we mark National Police Week and remember those who gave their lives in service to their communities, we must come together to support policies that make our law enforcement officers' lives safer and more effective. Together we can support law enforcement through sound policy and oversight and send the message that House Republicans are committed to passing critical legislation through the House, Senate, and the White House.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, 246 officers from the State of Florida: Officer Christopher Gibson, Detective Joseph Anthony Tripoli, Deportation Officer William Hayes, Trooper John Sumter Horton, Deputy Sheriff Bryan Vannatta, Officer Bart Lane Arnold, Officer Jesus Delaluz ``Chuy'' Lara III, Officer David Leroy Ingle, Officer Franklin Joe, Officer Bruce Eckhoff, Officer Richard Lynn Tostenson, Captain Reginald Kamal Smith, Sergeant Gerardo Morales, Deputy Sheriff Michael Queeney, Detention Sergeant Janell L. Visser, Officer Fernando Uriel Arroyos, Officer Diane Gonzalez, Corrections Officer V Mark A. Loecken, Officer Brian R. Shields, Deputy Sheriff Brian Dennis Moore, Chief Michael E. German, Deputy Sheriff Joseph Robert Tinoco, Captain Jeffrey Allen Pierce, Investigator Steven Ray Finley, Deputy Sheriff Terrance Nicholas Bateman, Sergeant Malek Z. Majzoub, Corrections Officer Melissa M. France, Detective James M. Ward, Corporal Ernest M. Robinson, Officer Ramiro ``Ray'' Perez, Sergeant Kenneth J. Thurman Sr., Officer Daniel J. Sanchez, Chief Don Riffe, Officer Corille Cortez Jones, Officer Tyler Lenehan, School Resource Officer Johnny Patterson, Detective Jason Rivera, Special Agent Anthony Salas, Lieutenant Kevin Pounders, Deputy Jailer Gregory L. Means, Corporal Charles Galloway, Sergeant Ramon Gutierrez, Detective Wilbert D. Mora, Officer Christopher Wayne Berry, Deputy Sheriff John L. Grampovnik, School Resource Officer Travis Hurley, Master Trooper Vince Arnold Mullins, Deputy Sheriff Noah Rainey, Deputy Sheriff Lorin Marie Readmond, Officer Donald Sahota, Senior Correctional Officer Robert F. McCormack, Master Patrolman William Daniel Kelley, Sergeant William Shibley, Sergeant Burke N. Hannibal, Officer Chris Bardwell, Deputy Sheriff Laquintin J. Wilson, Officer John Painter, Master Police Officer David J. Nieves, Sergeant Arthur Duron, Deputy Sheriff Steve Bobbitt, Correctional Officer Helen Mae Smith, Sergeant Chris Jenkins, Captain Collin Birnie, Chief Richard Leslie Stephens, Deputy Sheriff Brian J. Norton, Sergeant Robert M. Miller, Officer Leonard Swanson, Special Deputy Marshal Jose Elizondo Gomez, Patrolman David Glen Evans, Detective Michael W. Godwin, Sergeant Joshua Caudell, Lieutenant Scott Brandon Owens, Correctional Officer Jose Ruiz, Deputy First Class Kenny Olander, Senior Officer Robert Eric Duran, Trooper Tamar Anoush Bucci, Officer David A. Mathura, Correctional Officer Lonnie D. Johnson Jr., Corporal Benjamin Lee Cooper, Officer Jake Alexander Reed, Officer Freddie Wilson, Officer Caleb D. Ogilvie, Deputy Sheriff Dominique Calata, Officer Lane Anthony Burns, Sergeant Barbara Majors Fenley, Trooper Martin Francis Mack III, Trooper Branden Tyler Sisca, Officer Dan Rocha, Officer Jeffrey Herndon Carson, Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford, Investigator Donald Richard Crooms, Agent John Dale Stayrook, Corrections Employee Darrell Avery, Correctional Officer Braxton Hofman, Officer John Mestas, Correctional Officer John Baron Broadaway, Corporal Sheli Godbold, Corporal Michael R. Springer, Deputy Sheriff Aubrey Phillips, Corporal James Michael McWhorter, Correctional Officer Kay W. Zeger Jr., Officer Lonnie Sneed, Corporal Michael Keith Morgan, Sheriff Robert P. Craft, Captain Frank Keith Rezac Jr., Deputy Sheriff Jarett Oroszi, Corrections Deputy Bridgette Lachelle Hunter, Police Officer Nicholas Vella, Lieutenant Jason T. Dumlao, Sergeant Matthew Horton, Deputy Constable Neil Adams, Sergeant John Joseph Donohue, Correctional Lieutenant Steve Taylor, Officer Jorge David Alvarado Jr., Major Rodrick C. Covington, Officer Dominic M. Francis, Lieutenant William David Lebo, Deputy Sheriff Darren Almendarez, Police Officer Trey Marshall Sutton, Sergeant Christopher Michael Vaughn, Deputy Constable Jennifer Lauren Chavis, Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember, Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner, Sergeant Pedro ``Tony'' Candia, Deputy Sheriff James ``Jerry'' Critchelow, Police Officer Roy Andrew Barr, Corporal David P. Jones, Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist, Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier, Deputy Sheriff Walter Donald Jenkins Jr., Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard, Border Patrol Agent Daniel Humberto Salazar, Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Wayne Cash, Police Officer Stephen Charles Plum Jr., Supervisory Police Officer Yiu Tak ``Louis'' Tao, Senior Correctional Officer Daniel Sincavage, Correctional Officer IV Jade Drennan.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate St. John's County's Bartram Trails High School girls' soccer team for completing a remarkable 2022-2023 soccer season. Last month, the team won their third Class 7A Florida High School Athletic Association title in just 4 years, earning them a spot at number one in the Nation. Under Coach Jen Rodriguez' guidance, seniors Olivia Bori, Sophia Magdalein, and Reese Henley scored the winning goals in their final game and secured Bartram Trails' place as northeast Florida's first public school to finish unbeaten in girls' soccer. This impressive record is a testament to the discipline, focus, and skill the team has demonstrated on the soccer field throughout their season. I look forward to following along as they set new goals and break new records. Mr. Speaker, all I have to say now is: Go Bears. Recognizing Bill Rogers

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bill Rogers. Bill has dedicated his life and creativity to developing safety equipment for some of our Nation's most highly skilled military and law enforcement elite tactical teams. It all began in 1969 when Bill became the youngest candidate to be selected for the FBI Academy. After losing his handgun during a pursuit, Bill decided to craft his own holster, a product which he later named the Kydex Holster. In 1973, he presented the holster to the FBI, and the agency went on to buy Kydex Holsters and integrate them for their agencywide use. With his newfound success, Bill Rogers began the Rogers Holster Company and developed Rogers Shooting School to begin teaching gun use and safety skills. In the 1970s and 1980s, Bill began working with the Department of Defense. He was training Navy SEALS, developing new styles of safety holsters, and accepting shooting school contracts from special operations units within the U.S. military and many international units. Many of these units continue to operate here today. In 1980, Bill Rogers sold Rogers Holster Company to Safariland, which is a U.S.-based safety equipment manufacturer and actually helped create Team Safariland, the first professional team in action shooting sports. Bill continued to expand his business by developing a series of competition holsters specifically designed for sporting use. I met Bill in the late 1980s when I was the training commander for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office as we were transitioning from wheel guns over to semiautomatic pistols. It was during that time that I asked Bill if he could help us to develop a holster with a locking mechanism, a retention holster. Little did I know what would come of that, but I was struck by his humility in the face of such success and his ability to innovate firearm safety and training. What I didn't know was that while Bill was developing this retention holster for the Jacksonville Sheriff's officers, he was simultaneously being commissioned by the U.S. Navy to train classes of Navy SEALS. In 2017, Bill went on to contract with all five military branches, an incredible achievement and act of service to our Nation. Hundreds of recruits have been skillfully trained and protected under his guidance. His security holsters and training methods have also saved countless law enforcement officers from one of the most common events an officer ever experiences on the job, and that is a perpetrator trying to take control of their gun. If you look at any uniformed police officer today, it is very likely that that officer is wearing a Rogers retention holster. As a lifelong law enforcement officer, I am honored to recognize Bill Rogers' contribution to our Nation and to the safety of our law enforcement officers. On behalf of northeast Florida, we thank Bill for his continued work to keep our officers, our community, and our country safe. Ensuring Parental Involvement in Education of Children

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, today Congress passed legislation that guarantees parents have a right to be involved in their children's education and to hold their school administrators accountable. At face value, this should not be a controversial bill. Yet, it passed with a slim majority of 213-208. It is a parents' bill of rights. Yet, 203 of my Democratic colleagues voted against affirming parental involvement in a child's education. I would say I am surprised, but this opposition is just more of what we have already seen from Democrat leaders and the White House over the last 2 years. A campaign against parents, characterized by unnecessary school closures, masks in the classrooms, DOJ repressing parents' rights to participate in school board meetings, and an effort to label concerned parents as domestic terrorists. What do we have to show for 2 years of this kind of ``leadership''? Reports of historic learning losses and higher levels of anxiety and depression in our school-aged children. The fact that we even need legislation like this further proves how far we have come in this country. It is an unfortunate reality that there are individuals across this Nation actively questioning a parent's right to know what their child is exposed to in the classroom. A teacher in Arizona has even suggested that because she has a master's degree, she is more qualified to make a judgment call on what children are taught in the classroom and the parents are the ones who need to be vetted before they can voice their opinion. She even went so far as to say this: ``We must remember that the purpose of public education is not to teach only what parents want their children to be taught, it is to teach them what society needs to be taught.'' Mr. Speaker, I reject this idea that my children are her children. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't believe a parent's right to have a say in their child's life ends at the edge of the schoolyard. Parents are the primary stakeholders in their child's education. I am proud to have voted for the Parents Bill of Rights Act today, which will ensure parents have the right to know what is being taught in schools and to see reading materials that are presented to their children; the right to be heard at school board hearings; the right to see school budgets and spending; the right to protect their child's privacy by prohibiting student data from being distributed to tech companies; and finally, the right to be updated on any violent activity that occurs at their school. Opposition to these reasonable provisions is just more of the same government-knows-best attitude that has led us to where we are now. I will put this plainly because this issue hits very close to home for me and for every American family, regardless of party affiliation. The future of this Nation rests on the education of the next generation. While I believe that teaching is a noble profession and our educators deserve recognition for their service, there is not a world in which a loving parent should be separated from taking an active role in their child's education. As a proud father and grandfather, I am committed to ensuring education decisions are made as close as possible to the classroom, so that the future of this Nation remains rooted in freedom for all, but it needs to be made with students, parents, and teachers. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a giant of a man in Jacksonville and in northeast Florida, Mr. Harry Frisch. Many knew Harry as a very savvy businessman and compassionate philanthropist, but I had the great privilege of getting to know him as a true friend. Harry was the epitome of the American Dream. He was born July 5, 1923, in Vienna, Austria, and at age 14, he fled the Nazi takeover, traveling to Czechoslovakia and then later fleeing to Israel, where he worked as an auto mechanic and met his loving wife of 68 years, Lilo. Harry and Lilo then relocated to Jacksonville--with their two sons, Ben and Karl--where Harry began working at his mother's fish business to make ends meet. Through his diligent work ethic and his warm personality, Harry grew Beaver Street Fisheries into one of the largest seafood processors and distributors in the United States. Harry's joy was contagious. He felt a deep sense of appreciation for all those who had helped him along the way and made a point of being authentic with everyone that he interacted with. That is the attitude that helped him develop deep roots across northeast Florida and led him to give back wherever and whenever he could. Harry supported many local nonprofits, like the River Garden Hebrew Home, and several local hospitals, including the Mayo Clinic, St. Vincent's Hospital, and Baptist Hospital. His reputation earned him a multitude of awards, including a place in the First Coast Business Hall of Fame. Above all, Harry was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and he was known to treat his Beaver Street Fisheries family as part of his very own family. He loved them, and they loved him. At 99 years old, Harry lived a life of purpose and faith that sets an example for us all. His philosophy in life and business was: ``If you can't handle the business, you don't need to be in the business.'' Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: The purpose in life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have and make some difference that you have lived and lived well. To the entire Frisch family, I will use Harry's favorite line, ``Let me put it to you this way'': Harry Frisch lived a life of immense and positive impact for an unmeasurable number of people. As Ralph Waldo Emerson would say, he lived well. On behalf of Florida's Fifth Congressional District, I offer my prayers and sympathies to the Frisch family and his Beaver Street Fisheries family. Harry's life and legacy will not be forgotten. A Nation Without Borders Is Not a Nation

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, a nation without borders is not a nation. Since President Biden took office, we have seen a record number of illegal border crossings at our southern border. This has led to more drugs and fentanyl entering the United States, increased crime, and a demoralized Border Patrol. Instead of solving this crisis, the President and House Democrats have turned a blind eye. They continue to double down on their radical open borders policy that focuses on processing illegals faster and moving them throughout the country. To this President, there is no crisis at the southern border. This is his policy--until now. We saw the President visit the border for the first time this month, and now the Biden administration wants to be focused on solving the issues at the border. Well, he is about 2 years too late. Instead of taking responsibility for this national security crisis, the President is shifting blame to us here in Congress, claiming House Republicans have failed to take the necessary steps to defend our border. Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely astounding. Since President Biden took office, CBP has recorded 4.5 million illegal border crossings. That doesn't include their estimated 1.2 million got-aways. Under one-party Democratic leadership, ICE removed, last year, only 72,000 migrants, down from 186,000 removals in the final year of the Trump administration. In December, under Speaker Pelosi's leadership, we saw a record for the most illegal crossings in a month, ever. The tenth month in a row, more than 200,000 immigrants were apprehended at the southern border. How did the administration respond? By releasing more than 1 million people into the country's interior last year, only a third of which are under ICE supervision; by building an app for immigrants to schedule their illegal entry into the country; they responded by creating parole programs that bring tens of thousands of migrants into the country without a pathway to legal status; finally, by cutting ICE detention beds last budgetary cycle. Eleven thousand beds were cut by ICE, decreasing our capacity to detain migrants, not because border crossings are down, but because, with this administration, negligence is preferable to accountability. Make no mistake, we are in the middle of a historic border crisis because of President Biden and House Democrats. During my trip to the border last spring, I met with discouraged Border Patrol agents overwhelmed by the influx of migrants attempting to cross our border, with absolutely no relief in sight. While these agents do their best to handle groups of hundreds and sometimes thousands of people, the cartels are taking advantage of the holes in our border to smuggle in dangerous drugs like fentanyl and dangerous people. Hundreds of terrorists, known terrorists, on the watch list have come into this country. Every State has now become a border State under this administration. By failing to enforce our laws and secure the border, this administration is incentivizing illegal entry and encouraging more people to come here and then overstay their visas. This national security and humanitarian crisis has gone on long enough. Since I came to Congress, I have been fighting to secure our border, working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to help secure over $5.8 billion for a border wall since fiscal year 2017. This Congress, House Republicans are committed to securing the border, ending catch and release, reinstating the remain in Mexico policy, requiring proof of legal status for employment, and eliminating welfare incentives. We owe it to the communities that we represent to take these issues seriously and to hold this administration accountable. House Republicans will take the necessary steps to ensure America is a nation that is safe. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley). Celebrating School Choice Week

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give a voice to the voiceless all across our country and to speak out against the culture of death that has been perpetuated by the abortion industry here in America. Our Founding Fathers enshrined in the Declaration of Independence the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I thought it very telling that our Vice President was speaking on this very issue just the other day, and she only mentioned two of those unalienable rights--only two of them. She left out life. I think she left out life because that is where we are at now. We talk about a culture of death, and we don't talk about life. Our Nation cannot sit idly by as 1 million unborn children have this life taken from them every year--every year. This is advancing the normalizing of this culture of death. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to stand before you now and celebrate the fact that this culture of death is turning. The Supreme Court Dobbs decision doesn't end abortion in America, but by placing abortion decisions at the State level where it belongs, voters now have a greater voice in shaping our abortion laws. But that doesn't stop our resolve at the Federal level. Throughout my time in Congress, I have fought to pass laws that respect life at every stage from conception to natural death and support both mothers and babies before and after birth. Earlier this month, I proudly joined with my colleagues in the House to pass H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which simply ensures that babies who survive failed abortions receive the same life-saving care that all babies who live can receive. It is amazing to think that we have to pass a law like this. Last week, I joined Congressman Alex Mooney to again introduce the Life and Conception Act which recognizes the humanity and life of the unborn and ensures they receive equal protection under the 14th Amendment. Mr. Speaker, whether we take a child's life in the womb or we take it at First and Main, that is simply geography. Life is our most precious gift from God, and it is our obligation to protect the most basic of rights for our next generation.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 95-years-young Walter Raymond Bowers from Jacksonville, Florida. Walter was born March 16, 1927, in Dayton, Ohio. He moved to Jacksonville, Florida, as an infant and was raised by his maternal grandmother, Sadie Perry. When he was 17, Walter joined the United States Navy and served in the Pacific theater during World War II where he earned the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, one star; the World War II Victory Medal; the American Campaign Ribbon; and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, five stars. After the war, Walter was assigned to the USS Pine Island and participated in Operation Highjump, which established the Antarctic research base known as Little America IV. At the rank of boiler technician III 3rd class, Raymond Bowers was honorably discharged from the Navy on July 19, 1948. Just one week later, on July 26, 1948, he married Mary Dopson, the love of his life and mother of their three children: Walter, Jr., Margaret, and Paul. Walter returned to Jacksonville and enlisted in the Naval Reserves where he served for 8 more years. He then began working for the city of Jacksonville road department where he spent 20 years of faithful service. Walter and Mary both surrendered their lives to Christ in 1950, which led him to a new calling, one of a real ministry. Walter joined A.B. Wainwright, and for 18 years they were planting and pastoring Pentecostal churches all across Jacksonville. Even after his professional retirement in 1968, Walter continued this ministry by planting a new church in Jacksonville's Dinsmore community. He started Wayside Assembly of God in 1973 where he served as senior pastor for more than 32 years. His commitment to our Lord Jesus, his family, his community, and his country have contributed to this incredible legacy. May God continue to richly bless Walter for his amazing life of selfless service.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I was unavailable, and I missed the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 501; NAY on Roll Call No. 502; NAY on Roll Call No. 503; YEA on Roll Call No. 504; YEA on Roll Call No. 505; YEA on Roll Call No. 506; YEA on Roll Call No. 507; YEA on Roll Call No. 508; YEA on Roll Call No. 509; YEA on Roll Call No. 510; YEA on Roll Call No. 511; and NAY on Roll Call No. 512.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Anthony D'Aleo on his recent induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. Anthony, better known as Tony, served in the U.S. Army and later in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam war. After leaving Active-Duty service, Tony moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he lives today and serves as the president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Local Chapter 1046. Through this leadership role, Tony has remained active in advocating for his fellow veterans suffering from service-related illnesses. His continued commitment to the veterans of Northeast Florida and dedication to the Nation are unmatched. I take this opportunity to thank Tony for his continued efforts to support those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom and salute his service to this Nation. We owe Tony and veterans like him a debt of gratitude that we could never repay. Honoring the Service of John Leslie

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate retired Navy Commander John Leslie for his induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. John spent a total of 39 years in active service and civilian service to the U.S. Navy, where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Meritorious Service Medals, seven Strike/Flight Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, and numerous other service and unit decorations. He is known by his friends and neighbors as an honorable officer, a devoted friend, a true patriot, and a loving husband to his wife, Patricia, who you see pictured here. John's commitment to supporting those around him has continued into retirement through his service to his fellow veterans across Northeast Florida. He now devotes his time to leadership and volunteer roles at the Mayo Clinic, Community Hospice and Palliative Care, and Veterans Treatment Court in St. Johns County. John's legacy of dedication rightfully earned him a spot in the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. On behalf of Florida's Fourth Congressional District, I thank Commander Leslie for his devotion to our Nation. Honoring the Life of St. Johns County Commissioner Paul Waldron

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember St. Johns County Commissioner Paul Waldron. Paul was a lifelong resident of St. Johns County and a vibrant member of the community. Throughout his young life, Paul worked and operated his family's small business, Harry's Curb Market, before becoming a respected real estate professional. Paul applied his experience running a small business to his role as St. Johns County commissioner through his efforts to support and expand recreation and tourism development and strengthen our economy. Throughout his 6 years as commissioner, Paul also became a powerful advocate for residents in St. Johns County and continued to volunteer in a variety of capacities throughout the community. His recent loss is a devastating blow to our community. He will be remembered as a strong leader, faithful husband, loving father, and beloved neighbor and friend. I was proud to call him my friend. On behalf of Florida's Fourth Congressional District, I extend sincere condolences to Paul's wife, Stephanie, and their two daughters, Ashley and Kati.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I have to tell you, I have spent 40 years in law enforcement, 12 as a sheriff, as you know, and I have to tell you, never in my life have I seen law enforcement more under attack in America than I have for the last 2\1/2\ years--never. I know the dangers that they face out there every day. I have been there. I have done that. I have to tell you, the attempts by those across the aisle to delegitimize, to demoralize, and to defund our State and local law enforcement is atrocious and unforgivable. I hope that, come November, the American public will hold accountable some of these folks that you just heard read out. I can tell you, I don't think they are popular at all with the American public. Yet, now, leading into the midterms, we are going to come together, and we are going to throw four bills onto the floor to address law enforcement and show that we are supportive of law enforcement. I can tell you three of these bills are off that point. First of all, the Mental Health Justice Act, the VICTIM Act, and the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, these three bills, let's take them one at a time. The Mental Health Justice Act will actually make it more dangerous for law enforcement, make it more dangerous for our citizens. We are going to literally send mental health workers to respond to volatile situations where police officers, who are armed, go in and are killed oftentimes. Mental health calls are some of the most dangerous calls that we handle, and we want to send civilians in lieu of law enforcement? I don't think so.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. The idea that we are going to send civilians to do a law enforcement officer's job in quelling a dangerous, volatile situation is bad business. The VICTIM Act does nothing. There is nothing new in the VICTIM Act. All it does is add to the programs that already exist in DOJ--not one single new idea in the VICTIM Act. The Break the Cycle of Violence Act, first of all, comes with a very hefty price tag, $6.5 billion, but all that money goes to public health government bureaucrats, not law enforcement. Listen, our job in Congress is to provide effective assistance to our law enforcement men and women. These three acts do not do that. They simply do not achieve that goal. I am glad, however, that my colleagues have finally decided that defunding the police is not a good idea, but I wish they would look at the appropriation bills where they are basically federally defunding law enforcement because they are putting all of these strings attached to all of our DOJ grants that go to small-, medium-, and large-sized agencies. They are never going to be able to meet those standards, never going to be able to meet all of those standards. So, basically, we just federally defunded State and local law enforcement if that passes. I hope to God it doesn't. Instead of these misguided policies, let's work together on some solutions. Help us hire and retain some of the best and brightest officers that we have. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on all three of these bills: the Mental Health Justice Act, the VICTIM Act, and the Break the Cycle of Violence Act. These will do nothing but endanger our law enforcement men and women.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. I was very fortunate during my 40-year law enforcement career to work for a large and growing law enforcement agency. We had the resources to go after Federal grants to help keep our community safe, to bring those Federal dollars back home to protect my community. I know that many agencies that I worked with did not have that benefit, and that is why, on many of the projects that came from Federal participation, we often partnered with much smaller agencies to help them out. This bill is all about helping those agencies with 125 officers or less to be able to access those Federal grants that they cannot access right now for training, retention, and hiring. That is what we should be doing, Mr. Speaker. That is why I worked with my good friend across the aisle, Josh Gottheimer. I appreciate him working on this, getting to the language that we could all agree with. It has been back and forth quite a bit, but we got it here to the floor, and I congratulate him on that. This is a bipartisan issue. This is for our law enforcement men and women. These are for those small agencies. We need to be able to help them out. I can tell you the last 2\1/2\ years have left law enforcement demoralized like never before. I have seen it. They need this assistance as they have officers that are leaving in droves. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and vote for this bill, which is going to help small law enforcement agencies join with the National Fraternal Order of Police, which supports this bill, and other law enforcement organizations. NAPO is another. Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone to vote ``yes'' on this bill. I believe these small law enforcement agencies absolutely need our assistance.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Texas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Trinity Love Hoblit and the Hoblit family. I rise today to recognize and bring to the attention of our country a horrible condition. Trinity Love Hoblit was born with a rare form of primordial dwarfism and at age 9 was diagnosed with multiple brain aneurysms. Despite undergoing numerous surgeries to treat and prevent future symptoms, Trinity suffered a fatal aneurysm on June 30, 2015, at only 14 years of age. Throughout her young life, Trinity underwent a variety of medical treatments, leading to several hospital visits. Her mother remembers that during those long hospital stays, Trinity would always think of the other children first. It was her love for others and her desire to make a difference within her community that now lives on through the foundation in her name. In 2016, Olivia and Phil Hoblit established the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation, located in Amelia Island, Florida. It is for the purpose of raising awareness, support, and funding for neurological research, training, and treatment for those like Trinity who suffer from brain aneurysms and other cerebrovascular conditions. Most recently, the foundation began research on determining if medical history and genetic markers increase a person's risk of developing these brain aneurysms. Brain aneurysms affect an estimated 30,000 Americans each year and can occur at any age and without any preexisting conditions. Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, this month, is a time to raise awareness for the signs and symptoms that can help with early detection, like: Severe headaches, Pain above one or both eyes, Blurred or double vision, Difficulty speaking or swallowing, A numbness or weakness on one side of the body, and Painful seizures. These are all signs that can be symptoms and help with early detection. Thanks to higher levels of awareness and research developments, we are one step closer to finding a cure. On behalf of Florida's Fourth Congressional District, I thank Olivia and Phil Hoblit and the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation for their lifesaving work in northeast Florida and across the country. Making Homeownership More Accessible to Heroes

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, as inflation takes a toll on families throughout our Nation and housing costs soar, many of our first responders and educators struggle to find affordable homes in the communities that they serve. For this reason, I introduced H.R. 3172, the HELPER Act, which would establish a new one-time-use home loan program for law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and pre-K-12 teachers. Modeled after the successful VA home loan program, the HELPER Act would make homeownership more accessible to our local heroes by removing the downpayment and mortgage insurance premium requirements that can put homeownership just out of reach. The HELPER Act has strong bipartisan, bicameral support from over 90 Members in both Houses of Congress and more than 225 different organizations across the country, including 108 mayors from different cities around the country. As we all know, everything is more expensive these days, and the HELPER Act would prevent our first responders and educators from being priced out of home buying in the very communities they are sworn to protect.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this reckless spending bill, which, contrary to its name, will do absolutely nothing to address inflation. In fact, the bill before us today will further threaten the prosperity of hardworking, middle-class taxpayers. The same leaders who drove this economy into a recession are back. But this time, it is another failed plan to raise taxes, build more bureaucracy, and create a government slush fund with taxpayer dollars. We need to call this bill what it is. It is a $700-billion debacle that will drive up costs for everyone, double the size of the IRS, attack medical innovation, as you have already heard, and use $350 billion to implement the Green New Deal all while giving handouts to the wealthy. Hardworking Americans across the country are facing the reality of rising prices and a nationwide recession. They deserve leaders who are focusing on the lives of everyday Americans, not politicians who pander to the President and his failed policies. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this egregious bill.