David Scott

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson) as cosponsor of H.R. 5239.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to join you in recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary public service and legacy of Mr. Jeffrey E. Turner, a lifelong son of Clayton County and a dedicated servant-leader whose impact on our community spans more than three decades. A road named in Mr. Turner's honor is a lasting symbol of his journey and service, paving the way for others who will follow in his footsteps. From his early days in 1987 as one of only four African American patrol officers on the Clayton County Police force, Mr. Turner's career has been defined by courage, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to justice and community safety. Rising through the ranks to become Clayton County's first African American Police Chief, Mr. Turner led with vision, compassion, and innovation. Under his leadership, the department earned National Accreditation, an accomplishment that elevated both the standards and reputation of our law enforcement institutions. Beyond the badge, Mr. Turner served our community with humility and integrity during some of Clayton County's most challenging times. His steady leadership and unshakeable dedication offered a model of public service grounded in both excellence and heart. While Mr. Turner now steps away from formal office, his legacy continues, in the safer neighborhoods he helped build, in the officers he mentored, and in the example he set for generations to come. We honor not just his titles, but the integrity with which he carried them. I thank Mr. Turner for his 35 years of selfless service to Clayton County. His commitment has left an indelible mark on our community, and it is my hope that this moment of recognition serves as a reminder that his contributions will not be forgotten. With my deepest appreciation.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had I been present during November 12 to November 15, 2024, my votes for Roll Call Numbers 456, 457, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, and 465 would have been cast as such: YEA on Roll Call No. 456, Bill Number: H.R. 82; NAY on Roll Call No. 457, Bill Number: H.R. 5342; NAY on Roll Call No. 459, Bill Number: H. Res. 1568 (PQ); NAY on Roll Call No. 460, Bill Number: H. Res. 1568 (Rule); YEA on Roll Call No. 461, Bill Number: H.R. 8446 (MTR); YEA on Roll Call No. 462, Bill Number: H.R. 8446; YEA on Roll Call No. 463, Bill Number: H.R. 7409 (MTR); YEA on Roll Call No. 465, Bill Number: H.R. 8932.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a most beloved woman of faith in her centennial year, Mrs. Mary Louise Bishop-Brown. Mrs. Bishop-Brown, the eldest of nine children, was born on June 24, 1924 to King Bishop and Julia Nesmith Bishop in Dorsey Town, South Carolina. Having given her life to the Lord, Mary established her first faith connections while attending St. Mark's African Methodist Episcopal Church as a young girl. In young adulthood, she took a job working as a cook. However, Mary's interests quickly expanded beyond the kitchen when she met Miley Brown, the love of her life. At first sight, the two were immediately smitten and bound for a bountiful future together. Though this relationship would be put on hold due to Mr. Brown's deployment to Europe during World War II, nothing could keep these two from their eventual marriage on October 26, 1946. Blessed to grow up in a large and loving family, Mary knew that was what she wanted for her and Miley. They went on to have seven children--Jackie, Ethel, Miley Jr., Wanda Annette, Herbert, Marilyn, Murray Lee, and Emma Jane. Mary also raised Sean, her grandson, as her own. Being believers and people of faith, Mary and Miley prioritized keeping their family rooted in the Word of God. They brought their children up in the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, where they were spiritually and emotionally nurtured through Sunday School and weekly church services. Additionally, Mary kept busy with church duties, singing in the choir and cooking for various church events, whether that be for anniversaries, church unions, funerals, or whenever else she was called upon. However, with sunshine there must come rain. Mary's heart became overwhelmed with sadness when Miley passed away on December 23, 2001. With that said, nothing could keep Mary from bringing goodness to all she met with and joy to those around her. She now lives in Fairburn, Georgia, where she lives with her youngest daughter, Marilyn. Mary embodies what it means to be a righteous person of faith. She has lived several lifetimes in her 100 years on this planet and witnessed numerous changes in our nation throughout the years. Despite this, she never stopped being who she was, and loved all who crossed her path. ``Do unto others as you would have them done unto you''--this is the golden rule Mrs. Bishop-Brown stood by. I hope that we can all learn from her example as we celebrate her long, continued life. May God continue to bless Mrs. Mary Louise Bishop-Brown.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise at this time feeling a great honor to be here in the House of Representatives of the United States to say a few words about an extraordinary person. Mr. Speaker, as I reflect, I am thinking of three specific instances of my interactions with this wonderful lady that I think sheds a great light on the legacy of her story. One was where I served in the Georgia State Senate. I was chairman of the State senate rules committee, and we were dealing with a very serious issue facing our farmers, particularly our peanut farmers. Into the committee walked this lady, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, to express the need to help these farmers. It ruled the day because there was some debate on that, but she turned it and gave a resounding victory, and helped to give that victory to our farmers. The second instance was in the rules committee when we had another bill. It was to give our young people of Georgia scholarships in our university systems. Some had great problems with that. It was a good friend, Zell Miller's bill, Governor Zell Miller at the time, and some wanted to reference it as gambling because it was related to that. However, with Rosalynn Carter there, again, she was able to help get a victory. The third time was when Rosalynn Carter came into my district in Georgia. It was in the neighborhood of Summerhill and Grant Park. There she was with us all, hammering nails and building houses for those who needed houses in my district. What a lady. Mr. Speaker: Them that's got shall get Them that's not shall lose So the Bible said and it still is news Mama may have, papa may have, But God bless the child that's got his own. Mr. Speaker, Rosalynn Carter was most assuredly a child of God, and we thank God for sending Mrs. Rosalynn Carter our way.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the very first thing I want to say is this: Take note, those of you who are around the world watching this House of Representatives in action, that the very first bill that we are putting out is a bill to send a powerful message that we not only stand with Israel, but we will fight with Israel. There is absolutely no way, as God is our maker, that we are going to stand by and see Israel destroyed. Make no mistake about it. It is as clear as a bell. In the Holy Scriptures brought down by the mighty hand of God Almighty: Stand with my people, the people of Israel. Mr. Speaker, I was called upon as a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to go to Iran to write the paper on Iran. I met the people of Iran, and I want the people of Iran to listen: Go to your mullahs. Go to your leadership. They are the ones that control Hamas, Hezbollah. Then, I call upon our friends in Saudi Arabia. The answer to this is in your hands.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had my vote for H. Res. 298, On Ordering the Previous Question and On Agreeing to the Resolution for the ``Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 734) Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res 42) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022'' been cast, it would be recorded as NAY. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 185, and NAY on Roll Call No. 186.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had my vote for Mace of South Carolina Amendment No. 1, to H.R. 734, the ``Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act'' been cast, it would have been recorded as NAY. I would also like the record to show that had my vote for Motion to Recommit for H.R. 734, the ``Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act'' been cast, it would have been recorded YEA. Lastly, I would like the record to show that had my vote for H.R. 734, the ``Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act'' been cast, it would have been recorded as NAY. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 190, YEA on Roll Call No. 191, and NAY on Roll Call No. 192.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had my vote for H.J. Res. 27, the ``Providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5 United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``Revised Definition of `Waters of the United States' '' been cast, it would be recorded as YEA. I would also like the record to show that had my vote for H.J. Res. 42, the ``Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act'' been cast, it would be recorded as NAY. Further, had my vote for H.R. 1149, the ``Countering Untrusted Telecommunications Abroad Act'' been cast, it would be recorded a YEA. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 187, NAY on Roll Call No. 188, and YEA on Roll Call No. 189.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I stand here to make a passionate plea to my Republican friends. Yes, we have to pay our debt, but we do not need to deal with this, putting it on the backs of the poor, our children, our veterans. We must stand down. It is a national security issue. We must incorporate getting food to our veterans when 11.7 percent of our veterans live in food-scarce communities and households. Let me just sum it up and say that if Caesar were here, he would say the words that he said to Brutus: Brutus, yours is the meanest cut of all. We cannot put this on the backs of our children, our grandchildren, our seniors, and our veterans. I plead with you in the words of Caesar and God almighty because if we do not, it is ungodly.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had my vote for H.R. 1151, the ``Upholding Sovereignty of Airspace Act'' been cast, it would have been recorded as AYE. Had my vote for H. Res. 240, ``Condemning recent actions taken by the Russian military to down a United States Air Force drone'' been cast, it would have been recorded as AYE. Had I been present, I would have voted AYE on Roll Call No. 183, and AYE on Roll Call No. 184.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Tommy Dortch was and still is a leader of this Nation. Tommy and I worked together to, first of all, elect Maynard Jackson to become the first African-American mayor, and then Andy Young, the first African American to be elected to Congress since Reconstruction, right here. When I think of Tommy, I am reminded of that glorious song that God Almighty has given to us: ``Them that's got shall get,'' and ``Them that's not shall lose,'' because the Bible says and it still is news. Your mama may have and your papa may have, ``But God bless the child That's got his own.'' God bless Mr. Tommy Dortch, my friend.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would like the record to show that had my voted for H. Res. 104 been cast, it would be recorded as AYE. I would also like the record to show that had my vote for H.J. Res. 24 been cast, it would be recorded as ``nay.'' Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea'' on rollcall No. 117 and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 118.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. This is an important bill, and, yes, it will bring down inflation. Mr. Speaker, we are dealing here with basic economics, and unless we have multiple forces working simultaneously, we will not be able to bring down the costs of food particularly. I raise this point because, as Chairwoman Waters pointed out, it does help in terms of prescription drugs. It brings down the cost of healthcare. Those reflect some of our basic needs. It helps our veterans with their healthcare. Just as I stepped up and helped to deal with the step-up, we are having a problem with the front end of our food supply chain. We have 17,000 of our ranchers and small farmers going out of business every year.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that this is very important, and it sets the stage for this bill working with our lower food and fuel costs to continue the process. Finally, we will have a bill in September that addresses the front line of our supply chain that will also bring down costs and inflation.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following letter from the Government Accountability Office. United States Department of Agriculture--Applicability of the Congressional Review Act to the 2021 Updates to the Thrifty Food Plan

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Arthur Hughes, a constituent of Georgia's Thirteenth Congressional District, for his efforts to recognize the fathers whose sons or daughters gave their lives in the line of duty. Mr. Hughes' commitment to this goal led to the dedication of highway (State Route 139) as ``Gold Star Fathers Highway''. We know our Gold Star Families to be the relatives of American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. The honor of a ``Gold Star'' is given posthumously to honor the service member and uplift their family. Gold Star Fathers' collective grief and anguish show that our service members do not go into the armed forces alone, but with the support of their loved ones. As a grateful nation, it is imperative that we honor the Gold Star Fathers across the country who contributed so much to support our American heroes. Since 1936, our nation has set time aside each year to formally recognize and uplift Gold Star Mothers. However, we have not yet codified any observance to include Gold Star Fathers in the same respect. It is to this end that Mr. Hughes seeks to shed light on the fathers of our fallen heroes. He is not the only Georgian who has undertaken this pursuit. Georgia State Representative Rhonda Burnough has long made increasing the recognition for Gold Star Fathers a cornerstone of her work in the state legislature. It was her diligence that led to formalizing the statewide recognition of Gold Star Fathers on the ninth of November each year. The unwavering commitment to our service members and their families that these stalwart citizens embody is a selfless form of diligence and service that we should seek to emulate as a nation. It is the bare minimum we can do for those who gave all in service to our great nation. The efforts of these Georgians are commendable to the highest degree. May God Bless our Armed Forces and may God Bless America.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Harder), a member of the House Agriculture Committee.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our distinguished Speaker of the House.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger), who is also the chair of our Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me clarify something the ranking member said. Yes, I was able to bring in all four CEOs of our meatpacking companies, and we were very grateful that they accepted our invitation. But our ranking member made a mistake. It wasn't all four that said in answer to my question about whether or not they agreed or had any agreement on pricing in our meat industry. Three said no; one said, ``Not to my knowledge.'' Now, you must understand what we are dealing with here and why just that reply from them requires an investigation. That is what we are here for. That is why we did the hearing, to bring those parties in. We must act, Mr. Speaker. As I said before, we cannot continue to lose 17,000 ranchers and farmers. Also, so many of them, thousands of them, have not made a profit in 5 years. We have a problem. In a report, the GAO noted that the USDA's investigations were planned and conducted primarily by economists, without the formal involvement of attorneys from USDA's Office of General Counsel, or the OGC. As a result, a legal perspective that focused on assessing potential violations was generally absent when investigations were initiated and conducted. This is precisely why the special investigator bill is so important, because it alleviates an issue that has not had enough scrutiny and ensures that attorneys will be responsible for looking into possible violations. The GAO also found that the USDA's Packers and Stockyards Act, PSA, investigations had not modernized to keep up with today's complex, competition-related concerns, with consolidation at the heart of this issue, nor had it implemented previous recommendations. It also recommended that GIPSA and USDA's Office of General Counsel work more closely together. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the distinguished chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), my friend, the distinguished majority leader.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to clear up something that the gentleman just said. It is very important. The United States Department of Agriculture is the proper source to deal with this investigation. It needs to be investigated per the will of the American people, and there is no agency better equipped, better qualified, to find out what is going wrong. According to the USDA, the language is clear on the special investigator being a career employee. It only specifies that the position be appointed by the Secretary and based on the qualifications of the individual. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Craig), a member of the House Committee on Agriculture.