Brad Wenstrup

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the death and celebrate the life of Scioto County, Ohio Commissioner Michael Crabtree, who passed from this Earth earlier this week. Mike was a staple of the community, a dedicated public servant, and an unwavering advocate for Scioto County. His love of country and commitment to bettering our community were indisputable. Michael Crabtree was a true patriot who served in the US Army with the 82nd Airborne Division, then stayed engaged in many civic organizations, ultimately serving 18 years as County Commissioner. While Mike's earthly mission is complete, his impact on Scioto County and all that knew him will be felt for generations as his legacy lives on. We are all forever grateful for his service and I will miss working with him. I ask for everyone to join me in praying for Mike's wife, Dianna, his friends and family, for the community he served, and the lives Mike touched.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Commissioner Ed Humphrey for his years of tireless service and dedication to the Clermont County community as he is set to retire at the end of the year. Commissioner Humphrey has been a fixture of Clermont County for his entire life, and his service to our community has been felt for generations. Mr. Humphrey's early volunteer work as a firefighter with the Miamiville Fire Department led to the development of the Life Squad on which he served as EMS Chief for 12 years. He went on to serve as Fire Chief from 1987 to 1989 before transitioning to elected official to serve on the Miami Township Board of Trustees. During his time as trustee, Mr. Humphrey helped facilitate profound change in Miami Township. He improved Fire and EMS services, police services, established a first-class park system, and more. Beyond his government roles, Mr. Humphrey devoted countless hours to a variety of community programs: coaching youth sports, serving as President of the Clermont County Township Association and Chairperson of the Clermont County Health District Advisory Council, and joining his local masonic lodge, Milford Lodge 54 F. & A.M. It is a privilege to know Mr. Humphrey, not only because of his incredible service to our community, but also as a friend. He has led a life of service devoted to his commitment to leave his community better than he found it. I wish Mr. Humphrey the best on his well-deserved retirement. I know I can speak on behalf of myself and the Clermont County community when I say we are grateful for his many years of service.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Cincinnati St. Xavier High School's football team on becoming the Division I Ohio State champions. Led by inspirational Head Coach Steve Specht, the St. X Bombers clinched the title by winning the State championship by a score of 44- 3, setting a record for the largest margin of victory ever in a Division I final. This impressive showing followed dramatic come-from-behind fourth- quarter victories in both the quarterfinals and the semifinals. I am always proud to be a St. Xavier alumnus, and I feel especially proud of the 2020 Bomber team as the school earned their fourth State championship. I am especially proud because it is an understatement to say that the last several months have been difficult for our communities in Ohio and across the country. Yet, last Friday night, families, friends, students, and spectators, alike, were able to return to a little bit of normalcy--exactly why sports and teamwork are so important to the Nation. Congratulations, again, to the St. Xavier players, to Coach Steve Specht and his staff, and to the St. Xavier faithful. Go Bombers.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Royal Arch Masons at Loveland Chapter 211's re-consecration on October 7, 2020. Loveland Chapter 211 has served the community since 1870, building a network of over 600 members through the years. Currently, the association has 57 members who proudly dedicate their charter to service, personal development, and the betterment of their community. Congratulations to Loveland Chapter 211 on this notable anniversary and re-consecration. We are grateful for their many years of service.

Mr. WENSTRUP

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

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I just want to make one final comment. It has been a pleasure with this particular issue to work in a bipartisan fashion, not only with my friend Congresswoman Sewell, but really with the entire committee. I think that we really came together and saw the benefits to America and to developing nations as we move forward. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support of this legislation from the textile, apparel, and footwear industry as well as the broader business community. September 22, 2020. Dear Members of the U.S. House of Representatives: On behalf of the undersigned organizations--representing the full spectrum of the textile, apparel, and footwear industry, as well as the broader business community--we urge you to vote YES on H.R. 991--Extension of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. By extending the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to September 30, 2030, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) will also be extended. Since its inception in 2000, CBTPA has become an important element of the effort to develop and facilitate trade within the Caribbean Basin region, most notably with Haiti. Overall, CBTPA is structured in a fashion that reasonably balances the interests of U.S. textile manufacturers with those of textile and apparel manufacturers in the region. The CBTPA requires the use of U.S. or CBTPA-regional yarns and fabrics, which means Haiti, as the main country still participating in the CBTPA, has become an important export market for U.S. textiles. Along with the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act, and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act, the CBTPA now increases U.S. exports to strategic allies in the Caribbean Basin. Not only have these programs supported numerous U.S. textile, apparel, and footwear jobs, but they have also supported economic development in the region, advancing key U.S. foreign, security, and immigration policy goals. Specifically, the CBTPA continues to play a direct and critical role in advancing the industry partnership that currently exists between the United States and Haiti. In 2019, 100 percent (by volume) of apparel that was imported into the United States under the CBTPA was imported from Haiti. And U.S. apparel imports from Haiti continue to grow. In fact, total U.S. garment imports from Haiti grew 13.4% in 2019. Because the rules of origin for these programs generally require the use of U.S. fabrics and yarns, these U.S. garment imports incorporate prior U.S. textile exports. Those benefits are now threatened because of questions surrounding the renewal of the CBTPA. These concerns come on top of the considerable pain, costs, and uncertainty the industry is already trying to manage as a result of COVID-19 and the accompanying economic crisis. Orders have already been placed for goods that will arrive well after September 30. Companies must increasingly assume that these orders will be fully dutiable--even if using U.S. inputs--putting our Haitian customers and partners, and our U.S. textile manufacturers and exporters at a disadvantage. The CBTPA offers a great opportunity for companies looking to diversify their supply chains close to home, but it is set to expire on September 30, 2020. We urge you to vote YES on H.R. 991--Extension of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and extend it another ten years. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Accessories Council; American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA); Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA); Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA); INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry; National Retail Federation (NRF); North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors; Outdoor Industry Association (OIA); Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA); Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA); Travel Goods Association (TGA); United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA); U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), a distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 991, which extends the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act through 2030. This legislation enjoys wide bipartisan support, and I want to thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell for partnering with me to get this done. Madam Speaker, I also thank Ranking Member Brady and Chairman Neal for their cooperation and support of this legislation as well. As a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I am proud to support our Nation's trade preference programs, which bolster further economic expansion in truly developing nations and support jobs here in America. It is a true win-win scenario. In particular, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, or CBTPA, accomplishes that goal in the Caribbean, providing trade benefits to eight Caribbean nations, most notably, Haiti. Furthermore, the program also benefits American businesses and workers, a number of whom have created strong, reliable partnerships with suppliers in the Caribbean. This partnership helps to add value for customers and supports American jobs. Also of note, the program requires the use of U.S. yarn, which boosts jobs in our cotton and textile industry. In my district, Cintas Corporation, which is headquartered in Cincinnati, utilizes a strong partnership with Haitian suppliers as part of their North American supply chain. Finally, as we step back and look at the bigger picture: The CBTPA helps American stewardship of the Western Hemisphere, where we want to support budding democracies on our doorstep and create mutually beneficial economic stability with our neighbors. Our overall trade agenda is well served by agreements like the recently passed USMCA, as well as these important trade preference programs like the CBTPA. Again, I want to thank Congresswoman Sewell for her partnership on this issue, as well as Ranking Member Brady and Chairman Neal for their support. Madam Speaker, this is good, sound policy which stands to benefit both Americans and our friendly neighbors in the Caribbean. I urge my colleagues to support its passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. To add to that, this is important, they are trying to make sure that the people in the trials are coming from the groups that are most vulnerable especially, and they want to make sure that that is an adequate number so that we get, again, a safe and effective vaccine.

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, this is such a unique experience for all of us tonight. Here we are on the floor of Congress, and we have got almost a dozen healthcare providers coming to share our years of experience and knowledge and education with the American people as far as what we are trying to do in this country to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus. I mean, vaccines save lives. That is nothing new. Vaccines prevent illness. We know this. I know growing up, my mom's first cousin had gotten polio when she was 4 years old. She spent the rest of her life in a wheelchair, disfigured, disfigured hands. She still found a way to make a living. But think if she had just had that vaccine a little bit sooner, if we had actually come up with it. And to this day, the challenges that we face--I look at Rotary International, of which I am a member, and their goal is to rid the world of polio and try to get everyone in the world vaccinated. This is not new science. But I will tell you this: With the virus that we are facing today, it is called novel for a reason. It is new and it is different, and we know more today than we knew 6 months ago. That is what is so important is that we continue to learn and get better and take care of people. We know that some people are more at risk than others. We know that some people are more vulnerable to this than others. When we look at the symptoms for those who have tested positive and have gotten this, the symptoms can go anywhere from no symptoms at all to may be a cough or a cold or flu-like symptoms or loss of taste and smell to respiratory problems, difficulty breathing, all the way, as we know, to death. But therapeutics have come into play as we are studying this and understanding and identifying this virus and being able to treat it. Early on, we were taking a concept that is not new, which is to take what we call convalescent plasma, take plasma from somebody who has had this disease and gotten better, developed the antibodies, so that they can use it to help someone else. And we have seen that it has been effective. We have seen that it has helped. We have seen antivirals like the Remdesivir come forward that are working and helping people get better. Not everyone gets better, so the fight always continues. We are using steroid treatments to reduce some of the inflammation that occurs from this viral attack, especially on the lungs, because it is the damage to the lungs that does the most. So think about this and what we are doing today. If someone tests positive, especially if they have no or very few symptoms, go home and quarantine; check your temperature. You can check your oxygen level in your blood which, if it is going down, then you are getting sicker. It is a pulse oximeter. You put it on your finger. You can get them on Amazon. And if you are getting sicker, then the time to be treated is sooner rather than later. And that is what we are doing. So, as has been mentioned a couple of times tonight, the mortality rate has gone down 40 percent, which is almost unheard of, and that is without a vaccine. That is with the therapeutics that have been developed. We are doing something that probably no other country is doing to the level that we are doing. We are testing healthy people, people with no symptoms. Why? Because we know that people without symptoms can spread this, and it is important that we know who they are. No other country is doing the amount of testing that we do. I was out with the National Guard during the August break. I went to four sites. We did about 1,000 tests on people driving up or walking up. It is amazing what we are doing with our country and how we are trying to respond to this. So, on to Operation Warp Speed. This is about a commonsense path forward to find a safe and effective vaccine, and we are doing it in a way that no one has ever seen before. Right now, in record time, you have seen pharmaceutical companies that usually compete against each other coming together to share knowledge and to come forward to try and develop a vaccine. We have six that are in phase three right now, three that are up and running. I want to point out one thing about this being safe and effective. AstraZeneca had one patient in a trial who developed an illness; and just like any other trial, when something like that happens, you put it on pause. You put it on pause to make sure that that illness was not a result of the trial or the vaccine. That is how you develop a safe and effective vaccine. We are asking for about 30,000 volunteers for every one of these trials. That is the standard. Some will do even more. It is really incredible what we have done in such a short amount of time, and I applaud the people who are stepping up to be in these trials so that we can develop a vaccine right here in America. The public-private collaboration is unique. It is new, and, as has been mentioned, the risk we take is that we are developing the vaccines and manufacturing before they have been through phase three, and if they don't get through phase three, then it is wasted. But if they do, then immediately we have it and we start treating the most vulnerable people. Ultimately, we want 300 million vaccines to treat all of America. There are a lot of lessons learned. We have learned a lot. There is still more to learn. Only science will solve this, folks. That is who is going to solve it. I just want to say this. When I look at Operation Warp Speed and all that we have done in this country so far, if there is going to be a pandemic in this world, there is no other country that I would rather be in than the United States of America.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the late LTC Harry Shoop who passed away on August 19, at the age of 99. LTC Shoop joined the Army in 1940, serving in Ohio's 37th and 38th Infantry Divisions. He demonstrated integrity and valor in the Pacific during World War II, serving as platoon sergeant for Company B and Company H of the 149th Infantry Regiment. I was proud to present him with his Purple Heart at a 2017 ceremony, when he was also awarded his long overdue Bronze Star and World War II Service Medal. I am eternally grateful for LTC Shoop for his outstanding 31-year military career. I also thank him for his lifelong commitment to serving the people of Ohio and this great nation. I pray that God will bring comfort to LTC Shoop's family and friends, and all those in the community grieving his loss. May God bless them.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Mr. Howard Berry of Cincinnati, Ohio, who passed away on June 17, 2020, for his tireless advocacy for veterans of the United States Armed Forces. After tragically losing his son, Joshua, a U.S. Army veteran, to suicide, Mr. Berry dedicated himself to veteran mental health issues and veteran suicide. His advocacy throughout Greater Cincinnati led to expanded resources and programs for veterans experiencing post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recognizing a serious problem, Mr. Berry started Flags for Forgotten Soldiers, which placed American flags on the graves of servicemembers who died from suicide to honor their service. Flags for Forgotten Soldiers has now been replicated in 32 other states. Mr. Berry was passionately committed to raising awareness about veteran suicide, and in February 2020, Ohio became the first state in the nation to dedicate a highway and recognize veteran suicide in that way. I thank Howard for his commitment to drawing greater attention to this issue and providing better resources and care for our nation's brave and deserving veterans. Our community is grateful for his many years of advocacy and contribution.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in thoughtful opposition to H.R. 7327. Everyone in this Chamber agrees that protecting our children is our top priority and that childcare is one of the most critical pieces of the equation in getting our economy back to the record levels that we had achieved earlier this year. I have talked to parents across my district in Ohio who want to go back to work but don't have reliable care options available for their children. It is about more than just returning to work. Children need to be able to grow socially and emotionally by interacting with their peers regularly. Instead of rushed partisan legislation, we need bipartisan solutions, like my Family Savings Flexibility Act that I introduced with Representatives Kelly and Axne. Our bill allows parents to increase the contribution limit to their Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, as well as roll over the funds from the 2020 plan year--a huge help to working parents. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with us on finding bipartisan solutions, and I oppose this bill.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding and for his leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill. I grew up watching a show called ``Medical Center'' as a kid. It led me to wanting to become a doctor because I wanted to help people. After I graduated and completed my surgical residency, I owned a small practice with two employees. Eventually, I merged with a larger provider group, in part because the administrative burdens of complying with new laws and regulations were just too costly for my solo practice. That wasn't the end, though. Costs continued to rise, and my physician-owned surgery center was ultimately sold to a local hospital. Medicare reimbursement rates nearly doubled overnight, including an increase in patient co-pays. When I got to Congress, I joined the GOP Doctors Caucus, and I am now proud to serve as the vice chair. Most of us in the Doctors Caucus agree that one of the reasons we came to Congress is because of the mountains of red tape, red tape involved in practicing medicine that has killed much of the joy of providing care to patients. Now, the bill we are debating today is another perfect example of an attempt to expand Big Government, making it harder on the medical community. In this case, it is patients who rely on prescription drugs who stand to lose the most. In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak and responses, we rush toward finding treatments and a vaccine. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to pass a bill that will result in fewer cures for Americans in need. That is right. The CBO analysis concluded that this bill would result in fewer cures coming to market to help the American people. Drug manufacturers that may feel government isn't willing to pay a reasonable price for their product would have their revenue taxed at astronomical rates, essentially coercing the drugmaker into submission or cease to exist. The reason America leads the world in producing new medicines is because we allow competition, competition to drive innovation. Right now, Congress needs to be fostering innovation through competition, not imposing one-size-fits-all Washington mandates that accomplish just the opposite. We have already proven that we can do some work together. Last year, the Ways and Means Committee marked up a bipartisan drug-pricing legislation bill only to have it die because of partisan leadership. I know the Energy and Commerce and Judiciary Committees have done the same. Let's debate and find compromise on that legislation, which actually stand a chance of becoming law. I urge my friends on the other side of the aisle to work with us on bipartisan legislation that would result in finding more cures for the American people because cures save money and save lives. I oppose this legislation.

Mr. WENSTRUP

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

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, for the past two months, Ohioans have made countless sacrifices and stepped up to help each other in many, many ways. They flattened the curve, and now they want to get back to work smartly and safely. In the same vein, Americans need their representatives here in this body to be back to work, too. We should be working on legislative solutions that mark the first phase, phase one, of the recovery and reopening of the United States. Much of this partisan bill has nothing to do with COVID-19 or the current crisis facing so many Americans. This bill, sadly, paints a vision for this Nation that does not match our great history. The situation that we find ourselves in requires the best from all of us. This bill fails that test. Let's make this our finest hour. Show what we can do, not what we can't do. I oppose this bill.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor fallen Springdale police officer and hero Kaia Grant, who gave her life in the line of duty. Growing up in Wyoming, Ohio, friends, family, and peers knew Officer Grant was destined for greatness. Officer Grant exemplified the best of what our nation has to offer--commitment to fighting for justice and protecting our people. She was a dedicated public servant who lost her life trying to help others. The loss of Officer Grant is deeply felt in Wyoming, in Springdale, and across Hamilton County. Community members have displayed blue hearts on their front doors in memory of her and in solidarity with the Springdale Police Department. I pray that God will bring comfort to Officer Grant's family, to the law enforcement community, and to all those in the Hamilton County community grieving her loss. While God has called Kaia Grant away from us, the positive impact of her service shall never die. God bless.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, Americans are suffering. They are suffering in the face of an unseen enemy, a natural disaster that we can only defeat together. I have spent hours on the phone with Ohioans, national leaders, doctors, researchers, elected officials, and business and community leaders, listening to what they are doing to help us through this crisis and asking what they need. This bill is not perfect, but it does provide emergency relief legislation that helps our healthcare workers, our hospitals, and our businesses with liquidity, and it helps keep our workers on the payroll, as well as helping Americans most in need. We see businesses retooling their industry. We see groups donating supplies and others seeking cures. We are learning many lessons, finding many flaws that we must fix so we have the opportunity to come back even stronger and more responsible than ever. We need to pass this bill. This time is very unprecedented. Let's get it done.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Hamilton County Engineer Ted Hubbard for his 38 years of service at the county engineer's office and congratulate him on his recent retirement. Ted is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati who has committed his career to enhancing Southwest Ohio. He holds deeply the belief that honest public service is key to bettering civil society. Mr. Hubbard is right; our republic is built on the hard work and service of devoted men and women. Ted Hubbard is one such public servant. Ted's tenure at the Hamilton County engineer's office was marked by a keen ability to forge relationships with the people, groups, and governments around him. Throughout his time at the office, whether as a design engineer, in permitting and construction, or as a deputy engineer, Ted had a positive impact on Hamilton County. Ted's leadership on projects such as Colerain Ave, Montgomery Ave, Fields- Ertel Road, Winton Road, and the Cross County Highway will benefit our community for years to come. I wish Ted the best as he moves on to a new chapter of his life and thank him for his service. May God bless Ted and his family.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, it is a tragedy any time a United States servicemember is killed or gravely injured in the line of duty. Those events, however, don't happen in a vacuum. They have lasting impacts on that hero's family and their loved ones. That is why I rise in support of this bill, H.R. 2227, which I introduced with Representative Bustos. Our legislation would give spouses and dependents of servicemembers who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty the flexibility to move closer to family and friends for support, because no one enduring that type of life-altering event should go through it alone. In 2018, Representative Bustos and I worked together to pass the Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act and get it signed into law. It gave Gold Star spouses the ability to terminate their property leases without penalty if their servicemember was killed in the line of duty. We expanded those protections to include auto leases, as well, in last year's National Defense Authorization Act. Now, this bill builds upon the good work of those two efforts by extending those protections to dependents of servicemembers in addition to spouses. I thank Representative Bustos and the members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for their work in bringing this important bill to the floor. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2227.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize LTC David Kelley from the Army Reserve for 24 years of service and to congratulate him on his upcoming retirement from the military. A decorated Officer, LTC Kelley has exemplified the true meaning of dedicated service. He's established himself as a leader both in the Army Reserve and our Ohio law enforcement. In addition to his role in the Reserves, LTC Kelly serves as a local prosecutor. As a fellow Reservist, I appreciate and recognize the outstanding military career LTC Kelley has had. I also thank him for his commitment to serving the people of Southern Ohio, most recently as the elected Prosecuting Attorney in Adams County. I wish LTC Kelley the best of luck moving forward. A grateful nation salutes LTC Kelley. Hooah.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate An Hill for recently becoming a United States citizen. An and her husband, Geoffrey, met abroad, fell in love, and married. With hopes of starting a family in the United States, they needed to first secure a visa for An and turned to my office in hopes of obtaining assistance. After my office successfully helped the Hill family, An moved to Ohio with her husband and began the journey to become a naturalized citizen. Just a few weeks ago, her journey was complete, and my staff was honored to join her and her family at the naturalization ceremony as she took her oath of citizenship. To me, nothing is quite as beautiful than a naturalization ceremony. Congratulations, An, on all your hard work and dedication to becoming a United States citizen. An, raise the American flag and know that it is your flag, and the United States is your nation--your home.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Judge Matthew McFarland on his confirmation to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Raised just outside of Portsmouth, Ohio, Judge McFarland has extensive personal and professional history practicing law across Scioto County and Southern Ohio for the last 20 years. His dedication to public service is admirable. As an appellate judge, Judge McFarland authored over 1,000 opinions and made over 2,900 panel votes and served as the Presiding and Administrative Judge for multiple years. He has served as a visiting Judge on the Supreme Court of Ohio on four separate occasions allowing him to sit on each level of the Ohio Judiciary including the trial, appellate, and supreme court bench. Judge McFarland is now only the second federal judge to serve the Southern District of Ohio from Scioto County. I'm proud to recognize Judge McFarland for his outstanding public service and for his recent confirmation. I am confident he will continue to serve the people of Ohio well and I wish him the best of luck as he begins his tenure on the federal bench.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Clermont County resident Brett Milam for selflessly donating his kidney to a stranger in need. He recently shared his decision with our community in The Clermont Sun in Ohio where he works, describing his recent kidney donation and journey. Brett was inspired by an article written by a man who had made the same choice to donate a kidney for no other reason than to commit an act of kindness. As Brett tells it, after months of research, contemplation, and discussion with other organ donors, he decided to help a stranger, giving them an early Christmas present: a healthy kidney. I applaud Brett for making this donation to save a complete stranger's life, and I am particularly moved by the selflessness and kindness that Brett made with this action. Brett's choice to donate his kidney demonstrates the most compassionate side of humanity. Today, I recognize Brett Milam for his extremely selfless act of kindness. Thank you, Brett, and God bless.

Mr. WENSTRUP

Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 671.