Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, let me say for the record, if there is any Member on the other side who feels the strength to come and testify before our committee, I invite them, right now, to let us know and we will gladly entertain whatever information they have as to what happened on January 6. Some of them ran out of this building fearing for their lives, so there is no question that something happened. And H. Res. 503 says, absolutely, we have to find the facts and circumstances as to what happened and why and make recommendations; and that is what we have to do. We have the constitutional power to issue subpoenas. If people do not follow subpoenas, we have the right to bring them before this body and recommend contempt citations; and that is what we are doing today. So it doesn't matter if they were a father, a mother, a sister, or a brother, had children; if they break the law, they break the law. No one is above the law, and that is the point we are trying to make. We asked the individuals, subpoenaed them to come before the committee, and they chose not to come and, therefore, they broke the law, and that is why we are here today. So, Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned, when I testified before the Rules Committee, it is absurd that there should be any disagreement at all about why we are here for this contempt resolution. If you listen to the arguments from some of my friends on the other side, they have very little to say of substance of this matter. We hear excuses. We hear attacks about process. We hear scare-mongering about the select committee. Let me remind my colleagues, we have conducted over 830 interviews and depositions. And again, I invite any of them to come talk to us if they want to. Now, if, for some reason, they are reluctant or afraid, then I feel sorry for them. Our constitutional democracy was challenged on January 6. We have to fix this. Over 200 years, we have operated in complete freedom, and all of a sudden, this institution was attacked; and we have to fix that. We are the number one democracy in the world, but we lead by example. Democrats are leading by example. The select committee is leading by example by bringing these two gentlemen who broke the law, who decided that it is better to deal with the law of Donald Trump rather than the Constitution of the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, especially my friend from Wyoming (Ms. Cheney). Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member to support adoption of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from New Jersey yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, my bill, H.R. 5633, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Transparency Act, seeks to provide Congress and the public greater insight into the findings of the independent body charged with overseeing the third-largest Federal department. The DHS Office of Inspector General has the dual mission of detecting waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department and promoting economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of Departmental resources. Since the establishment of the Department in 2003, Congress has looked to the DHS OIG to provide independent, fact-based analysis into departmental programs, activities, and personnel. Historically, the DHS OIG has provided critical oversight of the Department, including audits of FEMA following Hurricane Katrina, whistleblower retaliation at the Coast Guard, and conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. Troublingly, for the past 2 years, reports regarding substantiated whistleblower retaliation or misconduct by senior DHS officials have been withheld from Congress and the public. Last year, the Government Accountability Office released a report that brought to light significant and longstanding operational weaknesses at the DHS OIG that GAO concluded have impacted the quality and timeliness of the OIG's work. Separately, an independent government watchdog, the Project on Government Oversight, in July 2021, found that the DHS OIG has repeatedly impeded and delayed ongoing investigations into alleged improper handling of intelligence and whistleblower retaliation. My bill seeks to ensure that the DHS OIG operates in a more transparent manner with Congress and the public. Specifically, the legislation requires that the DHS OIG, when it substantiates allegations of whistleblower retaliation or misconduct by senior Department officials, provide those reports to Congress and publish them on its website. This legislation also requires additional reporting by the DHS OIG in its semiannual report to Congress. When enacted, the semiannual report would be required to include a description of every ongoing audit, inspection, and evaluation, as well as data on the number and types of complaints and tips that OIG receives. Finally, H.R. 5633 requires the inspector general to notify Congress if the head of any DHS component or office fails to respond to a DHS OIG request in a timely manner. The Department of Homeland Inspector General Transparency Act has bipartisan support and was reported out of committee by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, I urge my House colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the gravity of the cyber threat to our national security and critical infrastructure, especially as we face potential cyber threats from Russia following its horrific invasion of Ukraine. The Federal Government must know when vital sectors of our Nation are affected by cyber attacks, so that we may deploy the full resources of the Federal Government to respond to and mitigate these attacks. Division Y of the bipartisan ``Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022'' will take significant steps to strengthen cybersecurity protections and ensure that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, is at the forefront of our Nation's response to serious cyber attacks by requiring timely reporting of these attacks to the Federal Government so that we can better prevent future incidents and hold attackers accountable. To be clear, Division Y of the Act, which is based on Rep. Yvette D. Clarke's H.R. 5440, the ``Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2021,'' and its Senate companion legislation (S. 2875) sponsored by Senator Gary C. Peters, does not impede the FBI or other law enforcement investigations against perpetrators of attacks. The plain text of Division Y makes Congress's intent clear. Although the reports themselves--and any ``communication[s], document[s], or material[s], or other record[s] created for the sole purpose of preparing, drafting or submitting'' those reports--may not be received in evidence, the FBI and other law enforcement entities nevertheless may make full use of the information contained in such materials in their investigations of a cyber incident or for other purposes authorized by the statute. Likewise, additional facts developed in those investigations may be used to further those investigations or activities, including in ex parte or other proceedings. In other words, although the FBI cannot attach the report filed with CISA in a warrant application or submit it in evidence in a trial, it may, as appropriate, use information contained in the reports and derived from them for a range of purposes, including obtaining a warrant and prosecuting bad actors. Further, the legislative language also is not intended to prohibit or discourage entities from reporting to CISA and law enforcement concurrently. The language of this division makes clear that the information may be used for cybersecurity or investigative purposes. In the new section 2245 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 created by this division, it clearly states that reports submitted to CISA under this provision can be used for ``the purpose of preventing, investigating, disrupting, or prosecuting an offense arising out of a cyber incident reported pursuant to'' the statute's requirements or through voluntary reporting provisions. Moreover, facts developed during an FBI investigation of a relevant cyber incident using other authorities are not subject to the evidentiary restrictions found in section 2245(c)(3) of the statute, including similar facts that may also have been disclosed to the Federal Government in the report to CISA. The FBI's efforts to hold accountable, disrupt, or deter perpetrators of cyber attacks are fully consistent with the goal of encouraging entities to disclose cyber incidents. As stakeholders work through the rulemaking process, the committees of jurisdiction in both the House and the Senate look forward to working with them to ensure that congressional intent is not misinterpreted, and that this legislation is implemented as intended. Mr. Speaker, the hard work of many of my colleagues went into the inclusion of this important legislation in the ``Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022.'' I want to thank especially Representatives Clarke, John Katko, and Andrew R. Garbarino; and Senators Peters, Rob Portman, Mark R. Warner, and Susan M. Collins.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and ambitious young lady, Mrs. Kenesha Lewis. Kenesha has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success. With over 10 years of restaurant management experience, Kenesha has always had a love of serving people with excellence, bringing smiles to their faces. Known as the ``fruit lady'' in her family for many years because of her love for fruit, Kenesha felt led in December 2018 to start creating beautiful fruit arrangements. She worked throughout the night, knowing she was being purposely driven because she was so filled with joy. After showcasing her arrangements on social media and seeing the positive and enthusiastic responses, Kenesha, with her husband Jason, birthed Kay's Kute Fruit, offering gorgeous fruit arrangements for all occasions, as well as their all-natural smoothies. ``Being a young woman here in the Delta, it's not a lot of health options,'' Kenesha says. ``It's not a lot of places you can go and get a healthy wrap and then you can go in the same place and have nice service.'' Kenesha got the idea to start a business after her husband kept getting on her case for eating too much sugar. ``I lost two teeth and he said, `wait a minute now, you're too young to be losing these teeth.' '' she recalls, laughing. ``[he said] `Let's figure this out.' So, we created smoothies together and I said, okay, this is good for me.'' It turns out, it was also good for business. Lewis exceeded her projected annual sales in her first month after opening. Growing up, she says people in her community were good entrepreneurs, but they usually worked out of their homes. Her mom is a stylist, and her dad ran a house painting business. Being a black woman, now with a storefront downtown, she sees herself as a role model. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Kenesha Lewis for the outstanding work and accomplishments she has made thus far.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable team, Leflore County High School (LCHS) football team. LCHS football team has had a tremendous football season. They ended their 2021 season with an 10-4 record. On November 26, 2021, LCHS defeated Charleston High School. 24-22, in the North State 2A championship game in Charleston to advance to the state title game. On December 4, 2021, the Tigers lost to Scott Central, 72-24, in Hattiesburg. Despite their loss, Leflore County celebrated them. LCHS is the district's only high school to reach the state championship in football since the Greenwood and Leflore County districts merged in 2019. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the remarkable Leflore County High School Team for their commitment and hard work.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office for H.R. 5683, the Department of Homeland Security Border Support Services Contracts Review Act. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the Committee report filing. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, March 1, 2022. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 5683, the Department of Homeland Security Border Support Services Contracts Review Act. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Lindsay Wylie. Sincerely, Phillip L. Swagel, Director. Enclosure. H.R. 5683, Department of Homeland Security Border Support Services Contracts Review Act--January 21, 2022 [By fiscal year, millions of dollars] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2022 2022-2026 2022-2031 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Direct Spending (Outlays)........... 0 0 0 Revenues............................ O O 0 Increase or Decrease (-) in the O O 0 Deficit............................ Spending Subject to Appropriation * 6 ** (Outlays).......................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * = between zero and $500,000. ** = not estimated. Statutory pay-as-you-go procedures apply? No. Increases on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2032? No. No Mandate Effects: Contains intergovernmental mandate? No. Contains private-sector mandate? No. H.R. 5683 would require the Under Secretary for Management at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to the Congress within 180 days of enactment on the department's active contracts that relate to U.S.-Mexico border security and that are above $50 million. The report would need to include an assessment of whether contract personnel are necessary to fulfill the department's mission on the U.S.- Mexico land border and a strategy to improve the effectiveness of such contracts. The bill also would require DHS to submit a plan to implement the strategy and brief the Congress every six months until the plan has been implemented. Using information from DHS, CBO expects that the department would need about $2 million in contractor support and seven employees to produce the report and about twice as many employees to implement the strategy for two to three years after it is finalized. On that basis, and assuming the bill is enacted near the end of fiscal year 2022, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 5683 would cost approximately $6 million over the 2022-2026 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Lindsay Wylie. The estimate was reviewed by Leo Lex, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Marshall's Music and Bookstore. Marshall's Music and Bookstore is a Black-owned family business on Farish Street in Downtown Jackson. The store has been around for 84 years. The store has its own story of surviving everything from the Great Depression, segregation and Jim Crow era to a pandemic, recession, and even digital transformation. Maati Jone Primm is a third-generation owner of the store, which prides itself on educating children and adults about Black History-- which Primm stresses don't begin in enslavement. Books, literature, and music are stacked on tables and shelves. The walls are adorned with striking images of African American changemakers with roots in Mississippi. Stacey Abrams from Gulfport, Ruby Bridges from Tylertown, Sam Cooke from Clarksdale, Charley Pride from Sledge, C.L. Franklin from Shelby, and Judge Mablean from Hazlehurst are only a few of the faces you will see. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Marshall's Music and Bookstore.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and innovative gentleman, Mr. Herman Moore. Mr. Moore has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to achieve success. Herman Moore has been awarded top honors with the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA), which recognizes African-American scientists and engineers around the country. The winners chosen are leaders shaping the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in the STEM pipeline. He was recognized at this year's BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, which was held in Washington, D.C. Feb. 17 through 19. He is the leader and main technical developer of the Army Facilities Components System project. On that project, he plays an instrumental role by providing direction and input to teams, sponsors, and customers to resolve technical solutions and enhanced application features. Moore began his career at ERDC in 1996 and earned his master's degree in computer science in 2004. With Moore's technical capabilities and leadership experience at ERDC, he is always looking for opportunities to serve as a mentor to junior scientists and to develop himself to advance the mission. His advice to engineers just beginning a career is to identify strengths and weaknesses. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Herman Moore for his passion and dedication to the field of Engineering.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated gentleman, Mr. Christo (Chris) Lunderman. Mr. Lunderman has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success. Chris Lunderman has been awarded top honors with the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA), which recognizes African-American scientists and engineers around the country. The winners chosen are leaders shaping the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in the STEM pipeline. He was recognized at this year's BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, which was held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 17 through 19. Lunderman, a research physicist in the Information Technology Lab (ITL), received the Outstanding Achievement and Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award, which focuses on individuals who have created new paths for others in science, research, technology, and development. In his day-to-day role, Lunderman leads a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of engineers, scientists and technicians in the design and installation of sensor systems and communications to better quantify the condition of aging infrastructure. Lunderman also serves as a mentor to several ERDC employees, supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts and sits on an advisory board for employee morale efforts. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Christo (Chris) Lunderman for his passion and dedication to the field of Engineering.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable young man, Mr. Jarrod Dixon of Copiah County. Jarrod Dixon is a man of God and the Pastor of Faith Tabernacle M.B. Church located at 2117 Experiment Station Road in Crystal Springs, MS. Jarrod graduated from the Enterprise Attendance Center in Brookhaven, MS. He received his bachelor's degree in Divinity from US Mingo Bible Institute and is currently working on his master's degree. Jarrod is married to the beautiful Corte'zia Dixon, and they have one daughter, Kennedy Dixon. Jarrod loves the Lord and desires to encourage young people to stop the violence while providing information that would enhance the lives of those in the community. He believes that we should not only provide for people's spiritual needs, but also provide for their physical needs as well. Jarrod has demonstrated his leadership skills during his pastoral ministry by leading Faith Tabernacle to greater heights during the Covid-19 pandemic. He has been awarded the 2021 Copiah County Pastor of the Year Award and the Alderman Brown Spotlight Award. He attributes his awards to God's love for him and his love for God. Madam Speaker, l ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Jarrod Dixon for all his hard work, leadership, accomplishments, here in the Second District of Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable hero, Mrs. Chrystal Williams-Davis. Chrystal was born August 27, 1971, to the late Emma Turner Williams in Marks, Mississippi. She was the last born of 10 children. She attended schools in Quitman County and graduated from Quitman County High School in 1989. Immediately after graduating high school, she enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed in 1990 to Operation Desert Shield where she was in the Persian Gulf for one year serving during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. She received the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait, The Army Commendation Medal, and The National Defense Medal. Chrystal served a total of ten years in the United States Army Reserve. Chrystal returned home from Desert Storm and attained her certificate in Practical Nursing from Northwest Community college in 1995. Upon completion of Practical Nursing school, her mother Emma passed away suddenly. Chrystal was sad but remembered how proud her mother was of her accomplishment, and that gave her great comfort and pushed her even harder. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for five years and decided it was time to advance her career in nursing. She then attended Mississippi Delta Community College where she obtained her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2005. She worked as an Intensive Care RN for several years and decided once again that she wanted to have the ability to do more for her patients after seeing how chronic diseases affected her community. She obtained her Bachelors' Degree in Nursing with honors from Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2010 and her Master of Science degree in Nursing with honors from Walden University as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2014, She has been employed with a rural health clinic, Northeast Mississippi Health Care, providing primary care to residents in Mississippi who might otherwise not be able to afford care. Chrystal has worked in various settings in the nursing field. She has worked with Special Needs adults, Women's Health, Medical Surgical Nursing, Emergency Room, Infection Control Nursing, Home Health, and Hospice. In her spare time, she provides nurse consulting. Outside of work, she is very active in her community, where she participates in community activism and provides health education in various settings. Her passion is for the education of young women on self-esteem. Chrystal is married to Davie Davis, and they have three children: Chelsea, Jamaal and Dawoud. Chrystal gives her mother Emma all the credit for her ability to be a loving mother, sister, and aunt. Her mother Emma raised her to; ``Do her best at whatever she decides to do, but always remain humble and give God praise in everything.'' Her family and friends are very important in her life. Chrystal has been a faithful member of the Nation of Islam for over twenty-five years; a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; a member of various nursing leadership organizations; and, she is an active participant in all of these organizations. Chrystal's leadership, passion, dedication, endurance, dependability, and service has made her synonymous with being one of the best, if not the best Nurse Practitioner in Mississippi. She is often praised by her patients for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that they receive the most competent health care services. Chrystal is recognized for her service to God, her family, her country, her community, and the people that seek her help. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Chrystal Williams-Davis, Family Nurse Practitioner, for her dedication to serving this great state and country.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Reverend Dave Washington, Jr. Reverend Washington began his formal, education at Druid High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He accepted a football scholarship to attend Alcorn State University, where he graduated with a degree in Chemistry. He later received a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Jackson State University. Reverend Washington spent 11 years as a NFL Pro Football Player for the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers. At the age of 25, and while still playing in the NFL, Dave became a real estate developer. He designed and built a middle-class residential subdivision in Port Gibson, MS, which he named Trace Hills. Upon his retirement from the NFL in 1981, he served under the administration of Governor William Winters before taking on the Directorship of the Farish Street YMCA, where he developed the city's largest little league football program. For all the lives Reverend Washington has touched, his legacy will continue in our hearts and in our interactions with colleagues, friends, and family. He was truly a dedicated man, husband, father, friend, and educator. Reverend Washington, Jr. will forever be remembered for his business acumen and passion for education, sports, mentoring, and entrepreneurship was a catalyst to many of the worthy endeavors for which he was involved. He was one who truly used his platform to leverage opportunities for others. He conceived and produced youth programs such as the HIS Ranch Youth Summer Program, the 12+2 Men's Youth Program, the annual Scholarship 3-Point Slam Dunk Contest, the Canton Peace Rally and Golf Classic, and his crowning charitable achievement, ``Super Bowl Super Kids Super Sunday'', which was a precursor program to the modern-day NFL Experience. His exceptional life of unyielding faith, devotion to family and the greater good will be cherished by his high school sweetheart of 51 years, Dianne Williams and his four children. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend Dave Washington, Jr. for his dedication and tenacity to serving his community and desire to be an example for all.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office for H.R. 5633, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Transparency Act. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the Committee report filing. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, February 10, 2022. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 5633, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Transparency Act. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Lindsay Wylie. Sincerely, Phillip L. Swagel, Director. Enclosure. H.R. 5633--Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Transparency Act As reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on January 21, 2022 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ By fiscal year, millions of dollars--

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable hero, Maggie Wade. Maggie has remained at the same station where she was first hired as a senior at Mississippi College. She is the 89th member of her extended family to attend Jackson State University. She is the oldest of seven children. Maggie was planning to go to law school; she wanted to be a corporate attorney. She never intended to be in television because everything that she learned was preparing her for a law career. Maggie landed an interview with Randy Bell at Miss 103/WDJX. She was hired for the position as a weekend News Anchor/Radio Announcer. She was also in school full time at Mississippi College. While working at WDJX/Miss 103, a weekend weather opening became available at WLBT. She was introduced to Woodie Assaf at WLBT and went through the interview process for the position. She received the job at WLBT, and this has been her employment since then. She fell in love with the media and the power of the media to bring change. Maggie gives all glory to God and speaks about how God had this planned for her. The first assignment for Maggie was at the University of Mississippi Medical Center inside the Children's Hospital. She was in love with the children and the support from her colleague. Maggie's favorite quote is from Maya Angelou, ``People may forget what you did, they may forget what you said, but they'll never forget how you made them feel.'' She uses this quote because when you can do a story, when you can cover an event, no matter what that event is, and it touches the heart of people, you've done a good job. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of Ms. Maggie Wade.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of a remarkable individual, Curtis Hayes Muhammad. Curtis Hayes Muhammad spent his entire life participating in various struggles for human rights and civil rights. His activism began in the fall of 1961. Only 18 years old, he was one of five young people from McComb, Mississippi, brave enough to respond to Bob Moses's call to begin direct action and community organizing there. He was a key member of SNCC's dangerous and groundbreaking efforts all over Mississippi throughout the sixties. Jailed many times for civil rights work, Curtis kept the principles of bottom up organizing learned from Moses and Ella Baker as the guiding foundation to subsequent efforts of union and community organizing and struggles for African Liberation. These beliefs in a cooperative society and bottom up organizing led by poor and dark-skinned people have been embraced by many contemporary movements for social justice today. Curtis's early life experiences made him responsive to these movement ideals. He grew up in a family of sharecroppers in Chisolm Mission, Mississippi who had joined with 26 other sharecropping families and purchased a plot of land which they worked together. Raised by his grandmother, a midwife, he was taught principles of black independence and strength. Learning that his father had to flee Mississippi after killing several Ku Klux Klansmen in a gun fight, Curtis was determined to find ways to fight against Mississippi segregationists. He began preaching as a child and was encouraged by his grandmother that he had an important role to play in the liberation of black people. Curtis's post-civil rights activism included helping to organize the 1963 Chicago School Boycott when 225,000 students walked out demanding an end to racial segregation and the disparate treatment of Black students. He was an organizer for the New Politics Convention that ran Dr. Benjamin Spock and Dick Gregory in the 1968 presidential election as third-party candidates. Curtis helped establish a radical Black bookstore in Washington, D.C. and helped create an early version of a Community Supported Agriculture project, bringing produce from Black farmers in the South to northern progressive communities in D.C. and NYC. He also worked on housing issues for poor people with the Harlem Reclamation Project which urged homeless people to take over abandoned brownstones and rehabilitate them, and thus extract ownership from the City. In Jersey City, NJ, following the same model, he assisted in the handing over of more than 60 brownstones to poor folks. Later he worked as a union organizer for Unite in Monroe, LA. He successfully organized several dozen locals, mostly of Black women garment workers, using the Ella Baker model of organizing. As a result, the organized workers sometimes made decisions independent of and criticized by national union leaders such as calling for and enacting wildcat strikes. He went on with the now federated Unite-HERE to New Orleans organizing hotel and restaurant workers there and mentoring young folks in Union Summer. He also joined local New Orleans community members in Community Labor United, which worked on improving public education in New Orleans as the laboratory for a national Quality Education as a Civil Right Campaign. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of Mr. Curtis Hayes Muhammad.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of a remarkable individual, Ethel B. Toy Gordon. Ethel was born February 11, 1925, in Holmes County to Daniel and Leola Brown Toy. Ethel, at the age of 96, was called to her heavenly resting place on Wednesday, January 28, 2022, in her home of Greenwood, MS. At an early age she professed her faith in Jesus Christ. Ethel joined Meeks AME Church in Cruger, MS. Ethel was influenced by her family to be a loving and caring woman. She always gave her time to others. Ethel married James Gordon in 1944, to that union 13 children were born. She later joined Gordon Chapel MB Church until moving to Greenwood, MS. In 2018, Ethel joined Providence MB Church until she passed away. She believed in family, and she always shared her childhood stories. It was never a dull moment and always great laughs and good meals. Ethel wanted everyone to love each other because love was one of the many morals that were instilled in her. Ethel was a God-fearing woman. One of her favorite sayings was ``If it had not been for the Lord on my side, I wouldn't be nothing nor would I have nothing.'' She was a blessed woman of God, who was full of life and joy. After the sudden passing of her husband, she was left with ten children to raise. By the Grace of God, they never needed nor wanted for anything. She was a woman to be admired and praised. Ethel B. received everything she deserved until her departure. Ethel B. Toy Gordon was proceeded in death by her loving parents: Daniel and Leola Toy, her husband James Gordon, brothers Louis Toy, Jonas Toy, three sisters Dorothy Toy, Mattie Toy Martin, Viola Toy Montgomery, two sons Arthur Gordon and Eddie Gordon, two daughters Charlene Cooper and Trufilia Hayes, one grandson Billy Gordon. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her family and friends. On today she leaves loving memories to the 13 children, 8 daughters, 5 sons, 1 God son, 32 grandchildren, 50 great grand- children, 8 great great grandchildren, two sisters, and one brother. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of Mrs. Ethel B. Toy Gordon.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I am proud to join with Speaker Pelosi and my Democratic colleagues in support of the ``America COMPETES Act''--legislation that holds the promise of preserving America's place as a global economic leader for generations to come. Enactment of this comprehensive and strategic package of largely bipartisan measures would enhance America's competitiveness on the world economic stage and our security. This package includes bipartisan legislation advanced by the Committee on Homeland Security that spurs scientific and technological innovation and, at the same time, reduces our dependence on foreign countries by creating incentives for more U.S. manufacturing of critical goods and technology. The ``America COMPETES Act'' includes legislation offered by my colleague on the Homeland Security Committee, Representative Correa, which passed the House last November. The ``Homeland Procurement Reform Act,'' or ``HOPR Act,'' requires the Department of Homeland Security use least one-third of the funds obligated for uniforms or gear, like vital personal protective equipment, to purchase goods manufactured or supplied by American small businesses to the maximum extent possible. These provisions would boost domestic sourcing of vital homeland security equipment and supplies, create new opportunities for small businesses, and improve supply chain security. The vice chair of the Homeland Security Committee, Representative Torres, has also focused on supply chain security. His ``DHS Software Supply Chain Risk Management Act'' is included in the homeland security division of this measure. This legislation directs DHS to issue Department-wide guidance to improve visibility into the supply chain for software purchased from new and existing contractors. As the lead Federal agency for cybersecurity, it is important that DHS lead by example in aggressively protecting its own networks. Similarly, Representative Guest's ``Unmanned Aerial Security Act'' ensures the integrity of DHS data by preventing DHS from operating, financing, or procuring unmanned aircraft systems that are manufactured in certain foreign countries that are identified as foreign adversaries by the intelligence community. Finally, the homeland security division of this measure also includes Representative McEachin's ``Department of Homeland Security Mentor- Protege Program Act,'' which would help build and sustain a reliable pool of small business vendors that could compete for DHS contracts. This program encourages big businesses to help small businesses build their capacity to compete for government contracts, which is incredibly important for woman-, veteran-, and minority-owned firms. The ``America COMPETES Act'' strengthens our economy, creates good jobs--including good union jobs--and delivers for American families. Madam Speaker, I congratulate my dear friend, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, the chair of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for shepherding this complex bill through the legislative process. I am so pleased we are acting expeditiously on this measure and look forward to working with my partners here and in the Senate to turbo-charge our economy by getting this package signed into law.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of a remarkable individual basketball champion, Lusia ``Lucy'' Harris Stewart. Lucy was born February 10, 1955, in Minter City, Mississippi to Ethel and Willie Harris. Lucy, at the age of 66, was called to her heavenly resting place on Wednesday, January 18, 2022, at Greenwood-Leflore Hospital in Greenwood, MS. From her humble beginnings in rural Leflore County, Lucy, along with her eleven siblings, were raised on a system of integrity premised on the tenets of love, kindness and compassion imparted by their parents who instilled a central moral compass that echoed the heart of the Good Samaritan and core ethical values encompassed in the importance of work, family, community, and the love of God. A graduate of Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood, MS, Lucy received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in health, physical education, and recreation in 1977, a master's degree in education in 1984 and an honorary doctorate degree in 2014--all from Delta State University. Lucy still owns a plethora of Lady Statesmen basketball records and has the honor of holding another distinction: at the 1976 Olympics, Lucy scored the first points ever recorded in an Olympic women's basketball game. Lucy changed the face of women's basketball. Opponents called her unstoppable but even that barely described her approach to the game. To this date, Lucy is still Delta State's career record holder in points (2,891) and rebounds (1,662) and averaged 25.9 points and 14.5 rebounds per game in 115 career games played. Lucy shot an astonishing 63.3 percent from the field in her illustrious collegiate career. She holds the distinction as being the first female, collegiate player inducted in the National Basketball Hall of Fame (1992) and is a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (1999). She is also a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (1990) and the Delta State Sports Hall of Fame (1983). Lucy collected Kodak All-American honors in 1975, 1976, and 1977, and was the Mississippi Sportsperson of the Year in 1976. She became the first and only woman drafted by the NBA, when the New Orleans Jazz selected her in the 1977 draft. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of Mrs. Lusia ``Lucy'' Harris Stewart.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I join with my fellow committee chairs in thanking the House Office of the Legislative Counsel for their incredible work during the First Session of the 117th Congress. They have produced landmark legislation amid some of the most challenging working conditions Congress has ever known. In just the First Session of the 117th Congress, attorneys within the House Office of the Legislative Counsel have provided steadfast guidance on not just the ``American Rescue Plan Act,'' the ``For the People Act,'' the ``Build Back Better Act,'' or the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022,'' but also more than 7,000 measures introduced in the House. My fellow committee chairs and I have joined in a letter thanking the office, led by Wade Ballou, which I include in the Record along with a roster of the entire HOLC staff. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, December 16, 2021. E. Wade Ballou, Jr., House Legislative Counsel, Office of the Legislative Counsel, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Ballou: The committee chairs of the House of Representatives would like to express our profound thanks to you and the entire staff of the House Office of the Legislative Counsel (HOLC) for your extraordinary work during the First Session of the 117th Congress. Since its authorization more than a century ago, HOLC has offered professional, nonpartisan, and confidential advice on drafting legislation to all Members and committees of the House. Few Congresses in that time have been as legislatively active and demanding as the 117th. Amid a pandemic, your talented and patriotic non-partisan staff has helped our committees and all Member offices draft more than 7,000 pieces of legislation. The body of work produced by HOLC includes some of the most broadly significant and transformational measures our Nation has ever seen, which include the ``American Rescue Plan Act,'' the ``For the People Act,'' the ``Build Back Better Act,'' and the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022,'' as well as additional measures that were significant priorities for each of our committees. What follows are committee-specific statements of appreciation of your counsels' expert work, which together with the names of the HOLC attorneys and staff whose work we acknowledge here, will be included in the Congressional Record: Committee on Agriculture The Committee on Agriculture would like to thank the non- partisan staff at the House Office of the Legislative Counsel for their extraordinary work supporting our committee's legislative priorities. We are grateful for the invaluable legal and legislative drafting expertise of HOLC's agriculture and nutrition attorneys: Michelle Vanek, Kathryn Swiss, James Grossman, Kakuti Lin, and Jean Harmann. Their expertise, professionalism, and tireless commitment to public service has been key to our committee's work, including the agriculture components of the American Rescue Plan Act and the Build Back Better Act, as well as the 10 bipartisan measures that this committee favorably reported or successfully advanced to the House floor this session of Congress. These efforts could not have been accomplished without HOLC and its dedicated nonpartisan staff. David Scott, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture. Committee on Appropriations On behalf of the Committee on Appropriations, I would like to recognize and express our deep appreciation for the House Office of the Legislative Counsel. We thank the Office's attorneys and staff for their dedication to public service, for their professionalism and expertise, and for their indispensable contributions and service to the House of Representatives. We are especially grateful for the assistance of Wade Ballou, Noah Wofsy, Tom Cassidy, Kalyani Parthasarathy, and Donalene Roberts and the Office of the Legislative Counsel team for providing the support necessary for the Committee to craft appropriations bills. Rosa L. DeLauro, Chair, Committee on Appropriations. Committee on Armed Services The Committee on Armed Services is very grateful for the tremendous contributions of the House Office of the Legislative Counsel to the committee's legislative efforts, especially the HOLC's prodigious contributions to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. The committee commends Hadley Ross, Tony Sciascia, Thomas Anderson, Tom Cassidy, Ken Cox, Mathew Eckstein, Brendan Gallagher, Brenna Marie Gautam, Greg Kostka, Keith Nemeth, Kalyani Parthasarathy, Veena Srinivasa, and Mark Synnes of the HOLC's amazing defense group and Karen Anderson, Marshall Barksdale, Hallet Brazelton, Jordyn Coad, Lisa Daly, Michael Sribinder, Billy Wilson, Noah Wofsy, and everyone on the indispensable HOLC team for sharing their critical expertise and their extraordinary devotion to public service with the committee. Adam Smith, Chair, Committee on Armed Services. Committee on the Budget The Committee on the Budget is extremely grateful for the entire hardworking, non-partisan staff of the HOLC that worked on the American Rescue Plan Act as well as the Build Back Better Act. Budget Reconciliation is, necessarily, a multicommittee and a multi-counsel effort, and our committee appreciates the complexity of this task and all of your staffs contributions. This effort was ably led by the talented, hardworking, and relentlessly cheerful team of Tom Cassidy and Parker Johnson. Their work over weekends, early mornings, and late at night was invaluable. John Yarmuth, Chair, Committee on the Budget. Select Committee on the Climate Crisis The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis greatly appreciates the invaluable guidance and advice provided by the House Office of the Legislative Counsel (HOLC). One constant in climate forward legislation across jurisdictions, is the thorough, professional and essential work of the HOLC. While we are not a traditional legislative committee, our role in helping the House and the standing committees tackle the climate crisis head-on requires innovative, cross-cutting policy that is not always easily translated into legislative text. HOLC's drafting the bills passed by the House this Congress has already led, and will continue to lead, to immeasurable improvements to the lives of so many across this country, especially as it relates to the climate crisis. We extend our gratitude to the entire HOLC staff and wish you a restful holiday season. Kathy Castor, Chair, Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Committee on Education and Labor The House Office of the Legislative Counsel (HOLC) has been invaluable to the work of the Education and Labor Committee this year. Thanks to the dedication and patience of HOLC's expert staff, the Committee was able to include historic relief for students, workers, and families through both the American Rescue Plan and the Build Back Better Act. Additionally, HOLC provided round-the-clock support throughout the year to ensure the Committee advanced key legislative priorities for the American people, including legislation to strengthen workers' collective bargaining rights, prevent child abuse and neglect, and address workplace discrimination. The Committee would like to give special thanks to Wade Ballou, Anna Shpak, Justin Gross, Brenna Culliton, Susan Fleishman, Brendan Gallagher, Karl Hagnauer, Jean Harmann, Paul Kubicki, Molly Lothamer, Donalene Roberts, Adam Schilt, Jessica Shapiro, Kathryn Swiss, and Adrienne Thomas. Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott, Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor. Committee on Energy and Commerce The nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Counsel has played a critical role in the work of the Committee on Energy and Commerce this year, including efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, make prescription drugs more affordable, invest in efforts to modernize the nation's infrastructure, and combat the climate crisis. Such work required your staff to dedicate many late nights, early mornings, and weekends. While that work took place out of the public view's, your superb drafting and technical expertise was vital to the passage of legislation that responds to the needs of the American people. For that, the Committee is extremely grateful. In particular, I would like to thank those who have contributed directly to the Committee's work: Warren Burke, Casey Ebner, Karl Hagnauer, Alison Hartwich, Kakuti Lin, Chris Osborne, Adam Schilt, Brandon Senger, Jessica Shapiro, Adrienne Thomas, Michelle Vanek, and Sally Walker. Frank Pallone, Jr., Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce. Committee on Financial Services As Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, I am grateful for the tireless work and counsel that your staff provided our Committee during the First Session of the 117th Congress. Specifically, I'd like to thank Paul Callen, Marshall Barksdale, Veena Srinivasa, Sarah Rens Zavislan, Kathryn Swiss, Jim Grossman, and Lauren Anderson, all of whom worked with my Committee staff throughout the session. They helped prepare many pieces of legislation for our hearings and markups and worked into the dead of night to draft key pieces of legislation in our jurisdiction. Notably, they were essential in ensuring the housing provisions in the Build Back Better Act, our amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2022, and the Financial Services pieces of the American Rescue Plan were ready for inclusion and carefully written. Additionally, they assisted my staff in preparing several critical pieces of housing legislation, including ``The Housing is infrastructure Act,'' ``The Ending Homelessness Act,'' ``The Down-payment Toward Equity Act,'' and the ``Expediting Assistance to Renters and Landlords Act.'' They were also instrumental in turning the Committee's policy into a reality, using their unparalleled knowledge of consumer protection law on legislation such as the ``Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act,'' legislation to regulate America's largest banks and improve credit reporting. Once again, I want to thank everyone for their work on these key pieces of legislation over the past year, and I look forward to their continued work with us in the upcoming year. Maxine Waters, Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services. Committee on Foreign Affairs The House Foreign Affairs Committee would like to express our deepest gratitude to the House Office of the Legislative Counsel, especially to Mark Synnes, Mathew Eckstein and Kalyani Parthasarathy and their clerks. Their talent, commitment and mastery of foreign affairs statutes have resulted in over 75 measures passed by the Committee this year. I want to particularly thank them for the work on the State Department Authorization Act and the EAGLE Act. The work by this team has given the United States Congress a voice in serious matters of security, peace, development, human rights and democracy abroad. Countless individuals and countries have benefited from their work supporting the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which has enabled America to lead and build lasting relationships around the globe. We salute all of the Office of the Legislative Counsel for a job well done and look forward to our continued work together. Gregory W. Meeks, Chair, Committee on Foreign Affairs. Committee on Homeland Security The Committee on Homeland Security has benefitted greatly from the excellent work of several counsels, but we would specifically acknowledge the contributions of three senior attorneys that provided invaluable counsel, Mat Eckstein, Hadley Ross, and Tom Cassidy. With the support of the talented HOLC team, the Committee has successfully advanced 30 measures to the House floor under suspension of the rules and the ``National Commission to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Complex Act'' (H.R. 3233) under a rule. In addition to the homeland security components of the ``Build Back Better Act'' and the ``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022,'' the HOLC team provided the Committee with expert advice on other important priorities, such as the ``Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2021'' (H.R. 903), the ``DHS Reform Act of 2021'' (H.R. 4357), the ``State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act'' (H.R. 3138), and the ``Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2021'' (H.R. 5440), to name just a few. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security. Committee on House Administration As Chairperson of the Committee on House Administration, I extend the sincere gratitude of our Committee's Members and staff for the exceptional work of the House Office of the Legislative Counsel. Among other issues, our committee's jurisdictional responsibilities include oversight of federal elections. The talented HOLC team has provided invaluable technical assistance in our drafting of and contributions to major legislation to strengthen our democracy and provide access to the franchise for all Americans, including the ``For the People Act,'' the ``John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,'' and other important measures. In addition, HOLC staff provide significant assistance when we consider measures related to the internal procedures and priorities of the daily operations of the institution, including legislative branch agencies and offices that provide vital services to Members, staff, and the public. Among the many experts on the HOLC staff who provide invaluable assistance to Members and committees every day, from the perspective of the Committee on House Administration, we take this opportunity to thank and recognize in particular Wade Ballou, Noah Wofsy, and Parker Johnson. I have seen firsthand how their technical expertise improves the work of all Members, in turn, improving the work we perform for our constituents. We are grateful for their outstanding public service. Zoe Lofgren, Chairperson, Committee on House Administration. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Drafting legislation can be a complex, demanding, and technical enterprise; drafting intelligence legislation can be especially so. Yet time and again, attorneys from the House Office of the Legislative Counsel (``HOLC'') have provided expert assistance to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (``HPSCI'')--at all hours and on the tightest of deadlines. Their efforts have run the gamut of intelligence and related subject matter, from foreign interference in U.S. elections, to human rights, to cybersecurity, to counterintelligence, and to the protection of Intelligence Community whistleblowers. Whatever the subject or the project, HOLC lawyers consistently have been extraordinary. HPSCI wishes, in particular, to recognize the tremendous contributions by Tony Sciascia and Brenna Marie Gautam--who have been vital to the drafting of the Intelligence Authorization Act, including under the extreme conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The enormity of their contribution cannot be overstated. HPSCI is deeply grateful. Adam B. Schiff, Chairman, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Committee on Judiciary The Committee on the Judiciary is very grateful for the expertise, professionalism, and patience of our House Office of the Legislative Counsel (HOLC) colleagues. We deeply appreciate the work of Hallet Brazelton, Megan Chasnoff, Ebony Holder, and Allison Gilley, the HOLC team that has worked so well with us this year to draft and report a steady stream of legislation on such issues as criminal justice, civil rights, and bankruptcy reform. Because antitrust reform has been a focus this year, we are also grateful for Jean Harmann's expert assistance. Finally, we express our sincere thanks to Susan Fleishman for working with us on immigration legislation, especially the immigration language included in the Build Back Better Act. Jerrold Nadler, Chairman, Committee on Judiciary. Committee on Natural Resources The Committee on Natural Resources owes much of its success to the dedicated staff at the HOLC. Under the leadership and expert guidance of Lisa Daly and her team members, Brandon Senger, Michael Sribinder, Kathryn Swiss, and Billy Wilson, the Committee on Natural Resources has successfully ordered to be reported 63 bills and passed 30 bills under suspension of the rules. During the first session of the 117th Congress, Daly and her team provided invaluable subject matter expertise and drafting assistance for House passage of the Committee's historic, nearly $20 billion-dollar, reconciliation measure included in the ``Build Back Better Act'', the ``Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act'' (H.R. 803), and several measures for the betterment for the Indigenous Peoples of the United States. HOLC's efforts, often requested through late nights and weekends, were integral to the passage of legislative measures that will benefit the American people and our environment for years to come. Raul M. Grijalva, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources. Committee on Oversight and Reform The staff of the House Office of the Legislative Counsel has provided the Committee on Oversight and Reform excellent service throughout the strenuous first session of the 117th Congress. From the American Rescue Plan, to Postal Service Reform, the Build Back Better Act, and D.C. Statehood, the expertise, guidance, and drafting services of HOLC, especially Tom Cassidy, Sally Walker, Casey Ebner, and Noah Wofsy, have been invaluable. The hard work and dedication of all the attorneys at HOLC is greatly appreciated. Thank you! Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman, Committee on Oversight and Reform. Committee on Rules Each week, the House Rules Committee relies on the expertise of the talented staff at the House Office of the Legislative Counsel to move legislation to the House floor. Quite simply, we couldn't do it without you. On behalf of the Members and staff of the Rules Committee, I write to thank each and every attorney and staff person at HOLC for their dedicated service to the House of Representatives. We call upon you late at night, early in the morning, on weekends, and every time in between to produce legislative text that will help the lives of people across the country. You've drafted thousands of amendments and revisions that enable the voices of Members across the Congress--Democratic and Republican alike--to be heard. Sometimes, we need this text at a moment's notice, and you never fail to deliver. In particular, I'd like to thank Wade Ballou for his incredible leadership of HOLC, as well as Noah Wofsy and Bob Weinhagen who have worked over multiple holidays to help our committee finalize rules packages at the start of the past two Congresses. James P. McGovern, Chairman, House Committee on Rules. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is grateful for the incredibly hard work of the House Office of the Legislative Counsel during the 117th Congress. This has been a very active year for the Committee, with comprehensive authorizations of most of the major research agencies in addition to the complex and difficult work associated with the Build Back Better Act. Through all this legislative activity, the counsels and staff of the Office of the Legislative Counsel have been integral players in advancing the Committee's work. Quite literally, the Committee's legislative work would not have been possible without HOLC's dedicated staff. Frequently this session, this work included long nights and weekends working with Committee staff on legislation. In spite of these difficult hours and circumstances, the staff and counsels of the HOLC have always engaged with the Committee with the utmost professionalism. Paul Kubicki, Justin Gross, and Donalene Roberts have all assisted the Committee during the 117th Congress, and their hard work is very much appreciated. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Committee on Small Business The non-partisan staff at the House Office of the Legislative Counsel provide invaluable services fundamental to the work of the House Small Business Committee. Veena Srinivasa and Thomas Anderson are dedicated public servants with a work ethic rarely matched on Capitol Hill. Throughout the COVID crisis, our committee has sped to provide relief to struggling small businesses. As my staff and I worked late nights and early mornings to meet the urgency of the moment, Veena and Tom have always been there to lend their sharp legal minds to our legislative efforts. Our office knows them as consummate experts in small business law, among many others such as government procurement and financial services. Their work with our committee's legislation, in addition to other major bills like the National Defense Authorization Act highlights their dedication to this institution and our country. Lastly, I'd like to thank Wade Ballou for his leadership of this critical office. HOLC is a vital component in the legislative process. Without their services, Congress would be much less efficient in fulfilling our duties to the American people. Nydia M. Velazquez, Chairwoman, Committee on Small Business. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure The non-partisan staff of the House Office of the Legislative Counsel have provided the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with expert legislative drafting and guidance over the years. Their hard work has been essential to the Committee's contributions this Congress to major pieces of legislation including the American Rescue Plan Act and the Build Back Better Act, as well as the INVEST in America Act, a five year surface transportation reauthorization that passed the House in July. We'd like to extend particular thanks to Karen Anderson, Robert Casturo, Jordyn Coad, and Kakuti Lin, who worked extensively with the Committee during the 117th Congress. We appreciate the dedication, attention to detail, and professionalism of the entire HOLC staff. Peter A. DeFazio, Chair, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Committee on Veterans' Affairs The Committee on Veterans' Affairs is grateful to the dedicated staff of HOLC for their invaluable work during the first session of the 117th Congress. The Committee has a significant legislative agenda each year and could not accomplish its work on behalf of veterans without the outstanding work of Hadley Ross, Tony Sciascia, Ken Cox, and Brenna Marie Gautam. The Committee is particularly fortunate to be able to collaborate with counsels who are well-versed on veterans matters and Title 38. The Committee is grateful for the work of our HOLC counsels--through many redrafts and late nights--on the ``American Rescue Plan Act'' and the ``Build Back Better Act of 2021''. We are deeply appreciative of Hadley and Tony's willingness to attend bicameral meetings to bring their expertise to thorny legislative drafting issues. The HOLC team assisted the Committee in developing legislation in support of military toxic exposure presumptions, burial benefits, and other disability benefit program enhancements this year, like the ``Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act''. The Committee would like to specifically thank Tony Sciascia and Brenna Marie Gautam for their efforts in developing the Committee's comprehensive military toxic exposure package. The ``Honoring our PACT Act'' would not be possible without the support and hard work of these individuals. The HOLC team was excellent in drafting the ``Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions (REMOTE) Act''. Their due diligence means 50,000 veterans will have housing during their next school term. It also means many School Certifying Officials will be able to do their job better, and finally it will save the jobs of hundreds of educational employees from schools around the nation. The Committee is also grateful to the HOLC team for its work on technology-related legislation, to include the ``VA Electronic Health Record Transparency Act of 2021'' and the ``Demographic Data Collection Improvement Act.'' Finally, the HOLC team has been incredibly responsive and collegial in drafting multiple pieces of legislation on mental health and research, to include the ``STRONG Veterans Act'' and the ``VA VIPER Act of 2021''. Mark Takano, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Committee on Ways and Means Over the last year, the Office of the Legislative Counsel has worked alongside the staff of the House Committee on Ways and Means as we undertook the herculean task of moving both the American Rescue Plan and Build Back Better Act through the committee and on to the House floor. This process has been anything but straightforward and has required late nights, last minute drafting sessions, and even work through holidays and weekends. Throughout, this learned band of legislative counsels with deep expertise across the varied jurisdiction of the Committee has provided expert advice and drafting assistance. Their unfaltering commitment to their craft and continued professionalism under extraordinary pressure distinguish them as true public servants. The Committee on Ways and Means thanks you and the following members of your staff for tireless work on behalf of the American people: James Grossman, Jessica Shapiro, Scott Probst, Henry Christrup, Mark Synnes, Justin Gross, Paul Kubicki, Megan Hawkins, Michael Sribinder, Adam Schilt, Adrienne Thomas, Karl Hagnauer, Kalyani Parathasarathy. Richard E. Neal, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means. House Office of the Legislative Counsel, 117th Congress Ashley Anderson Karen Anderson Lauren Anderson Tom Anderson Wade Ballou Marshall Bellsdale Debby Birch Joe Birch Hallet Brazelton Warren Burke Paul Callen Tom Cassidy Rob Casturo Megan Chasnoff Henry Christrup Jordyn Coad Ken Cox Mairead Crotty Brenna Culliton Brian Cunningham Lisa Daly Rachel Davis Tom Dillon Monique Ducksworth Casey Ebner Mat Eckstein Susan Fleishman Brendan Gallagher Rosemary Gallagher Brenna Marie Gautam Allison Gilley Justin Gross Jim Grossman Karl Hagnauer Jean Harmann Alison Hartwich Kevin Hauff Megan Hawkins Ebony Holder Parker Johnson Miekl Joyner Mike Kim Rebecca Kim Toni King Greg Kostka Paul Kubicki Kakuti Lin Matt Loggie Molly Lothamer Luke Mansfield Preble Marmion Nancy McNeillie Kelly Meryweather Tom Meryweather Carroll Neale Keith Nemeth Chris Osborne Kalyani Parthasarathy Angelina Plater Scott Probst Elonda Rich Donalene Roberts Hadley Ross Hank Savage Adam Schilt Tony Sciascia Brandon Senger Jessica Shapiro Anna Shpak Michael Sribinder Veena Srinivasa Craig Sterkx Alex Swindle Kathryn Swiss Mark Synnes Peter Szwec Alex Thierer Adrienne Thomas David Topper Michelle Vanek Sally Walker Billy Wilson Noah Wofsy Sarah Rens Zavislan

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, I call up the report (H. Rept. 117-216) and accompanying resolution recommending that the House of Representatives find Mark Randall Meadows in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with a subpoena duly issued by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished majority leader of the House.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank my colleague from Wyoming for supporting this effort of the committee. She has been a wonderful member of the committee, and I look forward to continuing the relationship. I thank my colleagues who presented on the majority side today who made a clear case of why Mr. Meadows' defiance is unacceptable. I take no joy in having to ask this House to make this referral. Mr. Meadows served here with us for 7 years, but that doesn't excuse his conduct. If anything, he should know better. It is disappointing that he put himself in this category with a small handful of uncooperative witnesses who are drawing out a lot of attention hiding behind every privilege you can think of trying to slow down and slow-walk this process. We want to hear from them all. But we have heard from more than 300 witnesses. Just this week, three significant individuals have already come in and spoken with us on the record. As you have heard, last night and today, we have made some significant findings. This investigation is moving ahead swiftly, but even with all that cooperation, we need to send a clear message that this sort of defiance of the rule of law cannot stand. We need to hear from Mr. Meadows, and his refusal to appear is plain and simple contempt. I ask all Members to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close after the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Cheney) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Banks). Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.