Jefferson Van Drew

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 7343.

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, my bill, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, sends a simple but clear message: If an illegal alien assaults our law enforcement officers, they will be detained and they will be deported. This is because these actions must have consequences. Now, that seems like a pretty commonsense life lesson that most of us have learned at a very early age, but it is a lesson, unfortunately, that President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas never have learned. In less than 3\1/2\ years, President Biden has released nearly 4.9 million illegal aliens into the United States. That doesn't include the got-aways. That doesn't include a whole lot, and in most cases, we don't even know who these people are. We don't even know where they are going. We don't even know their intentions once they are here, Mr. Chair. The Biden administration's policies are reckless, and these policies are dangerous. These policies have very real-life consequences, particularly for American law enforcement. Here are just a couple of examples: In March 2023, an illegal alien violently assaulted a U.S. Border Patrol agent as the agent attempted to take the alien into custody, injuring the agent's face and his arms. In November 2022, the FBI arrested two illegal aliens for pushing, dragging, and punching a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Now, the chaos at the southwest border is spreading into communities, towns, and cities throughout the United States of America, and there is no end in sight. Take this example just from this past January. It is just one example. According to the New York Post: As many as 14 migrants were believed to have been involved in a brutal beatdown of two NYPD officers in Times Square. To make matters worse, because of New York's far-left, extreme soft- on-crime policies, many of the attackers were freed without bail. Everybody heard me right: Freed without bail. Moreover, they were given reduced sentences through very weak plea deals. Some of the alleged attackers received a taxpayer-funded bus ride straight to California. Some of the attackers were arrested again while out on bail. The border crisis meets a sanctuary city and a sanctuary State. What a bad combination. Are we surprised by the results of this completely broken system, Mr. Chair? I don't think so. These are actions without consequences. This is Joe Biden's America. The longer Joe Biden and his administration go without taking action and holding these bad actors accountable, the longer our American citizens will suffer. That is why I introduced this bill. That is why it is so important that we pass laws that rein in lawlessness in this country. Actions must have consequences. This bill takes an important step in ensuring that we have zero tolerance for those in our country who break our laws and assault those who are sworn to protect and to serve our American communities. This bill requires the DHS Secretary to issue a detainer for illegal aliens who are charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or have admitted to assaulting a law enforcement officer. It also requires DHS to quickly take custody of the alien if the alien isn't already detained. By requiring mandatory detention for illegal aliens who assault cops, the bill not only prevents these dangerous criminals from being loose on American streets, but it also speeds up the process to remove them from the United States of America entirely. The time for standing by and doing nothing must end. We cannot stand by as the fabric of our American society devolves into violence and lawlessness. Americans are tired of it. The bill isn't just a commonsense solution to removing illegal aliens from our streets and out of the country, it is a call for action and a demand for accountability to those who would break our laws, and it is a reminder that those who do will face real consequences. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I agree with my colleague on the other side of the aisle on one thing: The American people are not stupid. The American people know, see, hear, and feel what is going on around them. The American people know that their streets aren't as safe. The American people who live in certain cities know that their kids are being moved out of their schools so that we can house illegals. The American people know that they are paying lots of taxes, and they are paying taxes in so many ways--to pay for transportation, to pay for housing, to pay for legal care, to pay for bank cards, to pay for all kinds of services to illegals, including, in some cases, education subsidies. The American people are not stupid, and they are tired of it. Additionally, they are really tired of individuals who come from other countries illegally. Let me be clear because I never want this to be morphed into anything else. We love legal immigration in America. Some of our best citizens are legal immigrants. It is illegal immigration that creates this problem. What we know is that there are illegals who break the law once when they come over. Then, they break the law again by committing an illegal act by assaulting someone--in some cases, a police officer. We had cases here just recently. This was published on May 14: ``Migrants charged in attack on NYPD cops in Times Square offered plea deals.'' They were offered a plea deal, but they can still stay in the country. They broke the law when they came here. Then, they came here and broke a law again by assaulting someone. Then, they were let out again, and they broke the law again. This isn't for an election. This is to try to save our country and the American people. They are tired of it, and law enforcement is tired of it. We ask law enforcement, these men and women, to protect this Nation, to protect our people, and then we don't back them up. It is wrong. It is un-American. I want to address something else because we are the United States of America. On top of it all, this is probably the only country in the world where you can come here illegally because we have open borders. Other countries don't allow this. No country can prevail with it. Currently, we allow it, unfortunately. They come here. We allow them here. They break the law here, and we still give them due process. Yes, they should be detained. I will tell you something else. Do you know why they need to be detained? They need to be detained. I hope everybody sits down with the inspector general for Homeland Security, like I did, for 1\1/2\ hours. He would tell you they check the names, addresses, and locations where you are supposed to find those illegals when they are allowed in the country. They are vacant lots. They are vacant storefronts. They are nonexistent addresses. Once they are in, we can't find them anymore, and that is the truth. Additionally, they are breaking the law sometimes, and that is the truth. When they are here and break the law, they have to be detained so we know where they are. Then, they will go through due process and will come before a judge. If a mistake has been made and something is wrong, it will be dealt with the way that it is dealt with always in the United States of America. If they have broken the law once, twice, three times, four times, they should be detained, and then they should be deported. They don't belong in the United States of America. That is not what immigration is about. Immigration is about coming here, loving this country, pledging to the flag, loving America. If you asked in my world what it would be, if you break the law and come here illegally, you should be detained and sent back, period. You don't even have to assault anybody. At a very minimum, for God's sake, let's get this done. Enough is enough. The American people are smart, and the American people are tired. They are tired of it. They are tired of being unsafe and tired of it costing them so much money in tax dollars. They are tired of not being able to take care of their kids, not being able to pay their grocery bills, and worrying about their Social Security and Medicare because we are spending money on all of this other stuff. It is enough. They have had it. I have had it. I believe the majority of this Congress has had it. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Chairman, I said I agreed with the gentlewoman on one issue. I am going to agree with her on a second one, that immigration is a good thing, but let's not morph this. Let's be really clear. Legal immigration is good. Illegal immigration is not. Let's talk about legal immigration for a minute. I always like to tell this story because it is a real story. It is a true story. I have a whole bunch of them. I have, in my district, many legal immigrants who came here, who work hard, who are taking care of their families, who love the United States of America so much. I had this friend of mine who bought a small store and gas station. He lived above it, did it beautifully, reconstructed the whole thing. His kids did well in school. His wife worked hard along his side, and we talked about the issues of the day. I would always stop by there. That is a true story. One day, I went by, and he was there. By the way, he was somebody who believes in American values, and I guess that is the point I am going to make. I go by, and I am talking to him. He starts to tear up, for real. He is a big guy. He is a tough guy. He has gone through a lot in his life. I asked what was wrong. He said: This was a big day for me yesterday. I asked what happened. I thought maybe he lost a family member. I didn't know what happened to him. He said: I became a United States citizen, an American citizen. I am so proud. This is real. He said: I am proud to defend this country. I would fight for this country. I love this country. I will stand up against any foe of this country. This is the greatest country ever on the face of the Earth. That is a good thing. Illegal aliens who come here and flip off the cameras when they are walking out of court because they have been released, illegal aliens who commit crime after crime and keep getting released because of prosecutors that are ultraleft, illegal aliens who get all kinds of benefits but don't want to work hard in America--and that is not all of them, but there are some--illegal aliens who don't even love the United States of America but come here because they want to reap financial benefits, that is not a good thing. Don't let anyone ever say that because you oppose illegal aliens, you oppose immigration. That is not true. It is a sad state of affairs that we are in that this bill is even needed, but given the abandoned southwest border and the violence of the Biden border crisis that it has unleashed on our communities and every community in this great country, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act is another necessary piece of legislation. It is important. It means something. Actions do have consequences. Mr. Chair, what you do has consequences, what I do has consequences. The actions that these individuals, these criminals take have consequences. If you assault a law enforcement officer and you are in this country illegally, you will be detained. If it is true, you should be deported. Period. No questions asked. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. It is common sense. It is the right thing to do. It is the American thing to do. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr Speaker, it is my great pleasure to congratulate David Scott Simpson on his ``Book of Golden Deeds Award'' presented by the Ocean City Exchange Club. This award goes to individuals who have selflessly and continuously served their community in South Jersey as Scott Simpson has done for many years. Scott is a native of Ocean City where he attended Ocean City High School and was a notably great baseball player and a member of the choir. After graduation, he attended the University of Delaware where he majored in business before returning to Ocean City to join his father at the family business, Play land Pier. A few years later he took over as the Chief of the company, all while continuing to serve his community by putting forth countless hours volunteering and donating to the local community organizations. Scott has volunteered for organizations such as the Ocean City Exchange club, of which he was a member for many years, the Ocean City Tourism Board, New Jersey Amusement Association, Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association, and served as a member of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. He has been married to the love of his life, Linda, for 32 years and they have two beautiful children together, Allison and David, who both graduated from Ocean City High School. I have no doubt that Scott will continue to showcase his outstanding leadership to his community by showing the great value of giving back to the community. Congratulations to Scott on receiving the highest honor, The Book of Golden Deeds. God Bless Scott and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, this past month, it was my great pleasure to visit No Limits Academy in Middle Township of Cape May County, South Jersey. During my visit to NLA, I experienced the great work that the organization is doing by providing an outlet to local children and teenagers that have tough home environments through an afterschool program that lasts all afternoon. This gives students the opportunity to complete their homework with on-site tutors as well as play sports and converse with faith-based counselors. After the kids have completed their homework, there is a two-hour boxing program, showing the kids discipline while also having fun. The No Limits Academy has blessed South Jersey for three years, leaving a positive impact on our youth, and we look forward to many more years to come. God bless the No Limits Academy and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to celebrate of the 100th anniversary of the Pennsville Fire Department located in South Jersey. This great fire department began its long history in April of 1924 when Jeer A. English decided to fill a void in the township by establishing a fire department. In 1939, it was recognized that additional emergency crew members were needed so a rescue squad was created and eventually this squad merged with the fire department creating the Fire and Rescue Department we have today. Through the years, the department has ensured that their firefights are as prepared as possible by requiring 180 plus hours of training before the young men and women can put on the uniform. The people of Pennsville always know that when someone from the Pennsville Fire and Rescue Department shows up that they are in good hands. The Fire and Rescue Department also gives back to the community through their Fire Prevention Open House to educate children on safety and by visiting the children's hospital each year to hand out gifts. The Pennsville Fire and Rescue Department has done a great deal of outstanding service to the people of Pennsville, and I have no doubt that they will continue to for the years to come. God bless the Pennsville Fire and Rescue Department and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, one month that is commonly and unfortunately overlooked in our country is Jewish American Heritage Month. As we witness anti-Semitism rise across the country, it is more important now more then ever that we recognize the great accomplishments that Jewish Americans have contributed to the United States and the world. Jewish Americans have thrived in our great nation for generations by serving honorably in the government and military, winning Nobel prizes, leading universities and corporations, and serving on the Supreme Court as symbols of Justice. In South Jersey, it is no different as we boast of many successful Jewish authors, physicists, entrepreneurs, and a former Secretary of Homeland Security. We are proudly home to over 200,000 Jewish Americans so join me as we honor this great group of individuals by celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month. God bless our Jewish Americans, God bless Israel, and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, this past month, it was my honor to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for an incredible young man, James Scalice. James has learned an incredible amount through the merit badge program earning 41 total badges in subjects such as Life Skills, Business, and Science. Within his troop, this young man has developed leadership skills through elected positions and has learned the value of serving his community by participating in countless hours of service to his church and community. He has displayed his love for God by earning two religious emblems including ``Pope Pius the twelfth'' from the Catholic Diocese of Camden. With a deep love for his country and great respect for veterans, James decided to help out the American Legion Post 28 in Absecon, South Jersey for his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of attending the Cape May MAC annual Volunteer Appreciation reception last Tuesday to meet with some great people. This organization has been a champion of the arts, cultures, and history that have taken place in Cape May County, South Jersey since its founding in 1970. Since that time, it has evolved Cape May from a beach resort to the United States' top Victorian theme destination. MAC has been able to do this by bringing to life the Victorian lifestyle of the 19th century by providing several activities that visitors can participate in. These include several tours whether it be a guided walking tour, golf-cart tour, or a hybrid tour incorporating both the historic houses of the district and the three historical sites MAC has. These historic sites include the Emlen Physick Estate built in 1879, the Cape May Lighthouse which has been in use since 1859, and the Fire Control Tower No. 23, a restored 1942 coastal artillery lookout tower from World War II. It was an honor to have the opportunity to visit this extraordinary organization that does so much for its community and tells the story of 19th century South Jersey so well. God bless Cape May MAC and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, what makes today truly historic is the legal establishment of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace. It is a real big deal for south Jersey, but it is also a real big deal for the United States of America. The permanent technical center will expand into a new field called advanced aerospace. Thousands of workers and businesses will come into our country, come into our State, and make a real difference. Critically, this law ensures that the technical center is locally controlled and protected from reorganization. Congress must ensure that the new law is faithfully executed. I will work with my colleagues to achieve that goal. The future of aviation, even with the problems that we have had, is bright for the technical center, for south Jersey, and for the United States of America. I urge swift passage and enactment of this important new law.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. My district of south Jersey is an official Coast Guard community. We are deeply proud to be the home of the United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. The vast majority of all recruits are trained right there. This legislation includes historic levels of funding for the training center. It unlocks over $200 million in authorities that will build Cape May into a world-class facility through new barracks, indoor training, shooting ranges, and more. This is a strong bill for south Jersey. It is a strong bill for the Coast Guard. It is a strong bill for the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this legislation, and I thank the committee chairman and ranking member and the subcommittee chairman and ranking member, as well.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, since day one in office, President Biden has chosen illegals over American citizens. We are now approaching 10 million illegal entries from individuals from all over the world, many parts of the world where they are our enemies such as China, Russia, Iran, and others. We don't know who they are, we don't know what they are about, we don't know why they are here, but a lot of it is not good. Because of the President's efforts, we now live in one of the most dangerous points in American history. Make no doubt about it: His FBI Director says he has never seen so many elevated threats to our national security in his entire career. That was his Christopher Wray. Innocent Americans, like Laken Riley, have been senselessly murdered by illegal immigrants. Law enforcement officers, like Christopher Gadd, have been killed by illegal immigrants. I won't go through the list of one after another after another good, law-abiding, loving Americans who are dead. They are not with us. Their families grieve. Most Americans grieve. Students have been kicked out of their schools to house illegal immigrants and have to learn remotely. Cities and towns across America have cut public safety and education budgets as well to cover the welfare of illegal immigrants, because in many cities and towns we are paying for their housing, we are paying for their clothing, we are paying for their travel, and we are giving them debit cards. We are paying for so many things, including healthcare, that some good Americans don't even have as we speak here and debate this right now. It is the Biden border agenda. It is what he is about. When you allow millions of unvetted people into our country, you have a reason. When you don't know where they are going, what they are doing, what they are about, you have a reason. When you actually hinder law enforcement's ability to apprehend, detain, and deport, which is the answer, you have a reason. You are making America less safe. He can fix this crisis today. Today, as we speak, he can fix it. It took him 1 day to undo and rescind every effective Trump border policy that we had, and it could take him less than 1 day to reinstate them. America needs to have borders. America needs to be safe. Every day that goes by without doing so will only result in more lives lost. Mr. Speaker, that is what we are debating today. Do we want more individuals to die because of this policy?

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, there are more drugs and human trafficking at the hands of cartels at our border and more threats to our national security. Every day this President allows this crisis to continue, it becomes apparent to me--and this is harsh, but I believe it is true-- the chaos is intentional. He is seeking to change the very fabric, the very structure, the America that we know to forever to hold on to his own political power. That must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. No, this isn't a waste of time. No matter how many times it takes, no how many times we have to say it, we will not succumb, we will not give up, and we will not stop, because we are fighting for the United States of America, and it is worth it. Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution, and I urge its passage.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Chair, you just heard the words of Benjamin Franklin from my good friend Tom McClintock, that those who would give up freedom for safety deserve neither. I hope that we aren't marked in history as the generation of Congress that was willing to give up American liberty and freedom. It is what we stood for. It is what we have worked for. It is what the men and women of this country have died for. We owe it to them. It is our most important right as Americans. It is what the United States of America represents. We were told all this before. We were told in the last renewal of section 702 that everything was going to be okay, no worries, all the security was there, nothing to be concerned about, don't look here. Then we saw what happened. We saw that political campaigns and donors were gone after. We saw that Members of Congress were investigated. We saw that journalists were investigated. We saw that individuals who were Libertarians or liberals or conservatives were investigated. We saw FBI agents' own coworkers and even their ex-girlfriends and others were investigated. The average man and woman in America were investigated. It was wrong. It occurred not dozens, not hundreds, not thousands, but, over that time period, millions of times, millions of illegal queries. I cannot support, and I will not support, this legislation unless there is a major change in the form of an amendment that would require what we know needs to be done: a search warrant. It is a basic American right. Don't let them scare you. It doesn't mean that we are not going to go after terrorists. It doesn't mean that we won't protect the United States of America. While I finally wrap up here, if this bill is so good the way it is written, why do we exempt Members of Congress? Do you know why? It is because they are scared that they may still at the end of the day go after us. It is wrong. Rules for thee, not for me. We should not stand for it.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, first and foremost Jonathan Diller is an American hero, a hero whose wife will now have to grow old without a husband who she loved so much, a hero whose 1-year-old son will grow up without a dad. Yet, what makes this tragedy so gut-wrenching, so horrible, so foul is the fact that it was 100 percent avoidable. It did not have to happen. What kind of society are we when we let individuals who have been arrested 14 times, 20 times, or more times than even that, back out to roam the streets and hurt our good American citizens? What kind of a society are we when we prioritize identity politics over the safety of the American public and our law enforcement officers? This is a dangerous pattern that we see in New York, but it is all across the country. The left continues to vilify our law enforcement. The left continues to undermine or outright ignore the laws meant to protect our American citizens. The left continues to push weak-on-crime laws and elect weak-on-crime district attorneys, and that is where the blame goes. This isn't a matter of policy differences; this is a matter of good versus evil, right versus wrong, law and order versus criminality and chaos. Of course, Jonathan Diller, an American hero serving his community, it cost him his life. How many times must we lose good Americans before people wake up and realize that we need to stand up for our law enforcement officers? How many families must suffer the loss of a loved one before we continue to say enough is enough, that this is it, we have had it? This is the time. This is the place. It has to be more than words. It has to be more than resolutions. It has to be in change. We need to make that change now. We cannot allow brave men like Jonathan Diller to die in the future. Our police already have one of the hardest jobs that anyone could imagine. We cannot make their whole lives harder by defunding them. We cannot make their lives harder by demeaning them. We cannot make their lives harder by demonizing them. We cannot make their lives harder by allowing career criminals to stay out of jail over and over and over again. We are a nation of laws, and we owe a tremendous debt to those men and women who enforce those laws. We owe it to them. We owe it to them to pass laws that ensure that they are properly funded and to enforce laws that keep the bad guys off the streets. I thank Officer Diller. I thank him for his brave service, and I am praying--we all are; America is praying--for his family. As I said before, that is not enough. We must make the change. I thank my friend, Congressman Anthony D'Esposito for bringing us all together today. I thank him for his good work.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, last month, I had the pleasure of attending Oliver Tostevin's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Oliver has been involved in the Eagle Scouts since the fifth grade when he joined as a cub scout. Over the years, he has been very involved in his troop by contributing countless hours to community service, participating in many outdoor adventures, and leading his fellow scouts on their path to Eagle Scout. To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Oliver decided to renovate his local baseball field. His project involved putting together new bleachers, painting the dugouts, and cleaning out any trash from the area. Thanks to him and his efforts, our South Jersey community has a beautiful baseball field for everyone to enjoy. I am honored to congratulate this young man on his remarkable achievements, and I wish him all the best. God Bless Oliver and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, this February, we gathered to celebrate Gabriel Burns, a bright young man who worked his way up to the rank of Eagle Scout. To achieve this rank, Gabriel undertook an Eagle Scout Project involving the renovation of his local youth baseball field. This long process involved getting permission from the City of Millville, meeting with the president of the local baseball association, and analyzing the state of the fields. Since he joined years ago, Gabriel has really enjoyed his time with the Scouts, and he is grateful for all the opportunities they have given him. He will always cherish making memories at Camp Roosevelt, hanging out with his friends, and earning merit badges. This young man has a bright future ahead of him and I can't wait to see what he accomplishes. God Bless Gabriel and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of sharing the inspiring story of Tommy Flanagan and his family. In 1995, Tommy Flanagan bought a bar in Manhattan called Flanagan's at 119 Fulton St. Despite their efforts, the aftermath of 9/11 impacted their business beyond repair, ultimately leading to its closure in 2004. Seeking a fresh start, Tommy, along with his wife Eve and their children, Tommy Jr. and Shannon, made the decision to relocate to South Jersey in 2018. It was here that they discovered the old Buck Tavern, a place that they knew would be their next adventure. This month, I had the honor of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated and refurbished Flanagan's, a bar that I know will quickly become a cornerstone of the community. Tommy and his family have embraced their new community wholeheartedly and are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead in South Jersey. As they embark on this new chapter, I want to extend my support and well wishes to the Flanagan family. I thank Tommy and Eve for choosing South Jersey as their home. May their new beginnings be filled with prosperity and happiness. God Bless Tommy and Eve and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight the remarkable journey of Costa Marine Canvas and Enclosures, a true American success story, founded by Joe and Donna Costa in 1971. Starting with humble beginnings in the basement of their apartment, Costa Marine has grown into a leading fabricator of custom yacht enclosures, upholstery, covers, and interiors. Over the years, Costa Marine's commitment to excellence has earned them exclusive partnerships with renowned boatbuilders like Viking Yachts and Ocean Yachts. Despite the passing of Joe in 2011, Donna continues to play a vital role in the company's operations alongside the second-generation leadership of Chris Costa, Jennifer Smith, and Kevin Jelinski. I had the privilege of touring their facility this February, and I can attest to the impressive operation of Costa Marine Canvas and Enclosures. From their dedication to quality craftsmanship to their focus on community and employees, Costa Marine exemplifies the very best. Their story serves as an inspiration to us all. I thank Costa Marine for their outstanding contributions and for representing the best of American entrepreneurship. God Bless Costa Marine and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, this February, I had the privilege of commemorating the 30th anniversary of the tragic passing of a fallen hero, Officer David C. Douglass. On February 18, 1994, Officer Douglass valiantly answered the call of a burglar in the area and tragically lost his life in the line of duty. He was not only a dedicated member of the Lower Township Police Department for 18 years but also served as a lieutenant in the Town Bank Fire Department. His contributions to public safety extended beyond his role in law enforcement; he helped establish the Lower Township SWAT team, instructed at the Cape May County Police Academy, and served as a past president of the Policeman's Benevolent Association. Officer Douglass was a beloved member of our community, known for his integrity, friendship, and mentorship. His legacy lives on through his family, including his wife, son, daughter, and stepdaughter, as well as in the hearts of all who knew him. I thank Officer David C. Douglass for his bravery, his service, and his sacrifice. He will forever be remembered and cherished in our hearts. God Bless Officer Douglass and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, this February, I had the pleasure of attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Ian Crowley, a young man who is a model of dedication, perseverance, and commitment to community service. During his time in the Scouts, Ian has learned the importance of preserving and celebrating our history, a lesson which inspired his Eagle Scout project. He undertook a major task and installed QR codes at the Lifesaving Station, a local historical site in South Jersey. These codes provide access to videos that detail each of the artifacts' histories, preserving the knowledge for generations to come. Beyond his time spent with the Scouts, Ian excels academically and demonstrates a remarkable work ethic. He always keeps busy, whether that's his pursuit of his pilot's license or his participation in the Ocean City High School golf team. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Ian has been honored with the Order of the Arrow, an award which celebrates his dedication to community service, leadership, and the preservation of history. I congratulate Ian on all accomplishments. He makes us all proud. God Bless Ian and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, last month, I had the honor of celebrating Jayson Cagle, a remarkable young man from Pittsgrove, South Jersey, who has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America Troop 1058. Jayson's journey to Eagle Scout is not just a personal triumph but a testament to his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in his surroundings. His Eagle Scout project, improving his high school's music room, reflects his dedication to both his community and his passion for music. As a graduating high school senior this year, Jayson has been accepted into Seton Hall University's School of Diplomacy and International Relations, where he hopes to learn how to serve his country on the global stage. Jayson's commitment to service and leadership is an inspiration to us all. I'm proud to congratulate him for his achievements and I wish him all the best. God Bless Jayson and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. VAN DREW

Mr. VAN DREW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Laken Riley is dead because of Joe Biden's policies. There are no words that I can say that will bring her back to life. There are no words that will bring back State Trooper Christopher Gadd. There are no words that will bring back 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina. There are no words that will bring back all those who have been brutally beaten, murdered, and damaged by illegals who were let out on parole. However, for God's sake, pass the Laken Riley Act. Also, President Biden, stop paroling illegals over and over again. Stop killing our Americans. Stop hurting our Americans.