the assault on that ship. that attack went on for hours. that was not just a buzz bye and then an attack and then they leave. 34 u.s. navy sailors were killed in that attack. we can see this coming in mile away. this world central kitchen commented and they have three vehicles that were hit two minutes apart? that was a deliberate attack. one other thing. if they try to say this is antisemitism, that is impossible. some of those guys that were killed were jewish guys. thank you very much. host: that does it for us today. we will be back tomorrow morning at 7:00 eastern on c-span. we are also on c-span.org. have a great day and enjoy your wednesday. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2024] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org]

the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. the clerk: the speaker's rooms, washington, d.c. may 15, 2024. i hereby appoint the honorable keith self to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. signed, mike johnson, speaker of the house of representatives. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the order of the house of january 9, 2024, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. the chair will alternate recognition between the parties with time equally allocated between the parties and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip limited to five minutes, but there no event shall debate continue beyond 11:50 a.m. the chair recognizes the

gentlewoman from pennsylvania, ms. dean, for five minutes. ms. dean: mr. speaker, national women's health week empowers women and girls to prioritize their unique health journeys. a crucial part of that journey is education, prevention and early detection for illness and disease like ovarian cancer. globally, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common ■canceramon women. most of whom are over 60 years old. in the united states, the american cancer society estimates that this year more than 19,000 women will receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. and more than 12,000 women will die from ovarian cancer. it is a frequently missed or misdiagnosed disease. there's no routine screening and it is not always included as part of an annual gynecological

exam like other cancers of the female reproductive system. i saw this firsthand with my mother's diagnosis and death within just weeks of her diagnosis from ovarian cancer many years ago. how devastating ovarian cancer can be and how fast it can claim a loved one. we must do better for our mothers, our grandmothers, our grandchildren, our sisters and our friends. we must raise awareness, bolster research and education, and pass legislation that prioritizes women's health care and saves lives. our health and our stories matter. and i pause now to start with something that is of local color and of a man of faith. i rise today to recognize reverend dr. john e. douglas of antioch baptist church in north hills, pennsylvania, as he celebrates 30 years as a pastor. i first met pastor douglas a

dozen years ago when i served in the pennsylvania house for montgomery county. as i was still getting to know our district, he did not hesitate to welcome me to his church and to introduce me to his neighborhood. which perfectly encompassed his warmth and unwavering commitment to the antioch community. each week he faithfully leads his congregation in beautiful services, with song, prayer and a welcoming spirit to all. he is a man of family and of faith. yet his devotion does not stop there. pastor douglas has made antioch baptist church an integral part of the surrounding community as well. a home for town halls and community gatherings, again, where all are welcome, including me. i'm just one of the so many people who have been guided by his grace, his faith, his leadership and his friendship, which will continue to grow and shape north hills and the greater community for years to

come. congratulations on 30 years of hard work, faith and joy, pastor douglas. the antioch family and i are blessed to know you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. thompson, for five minutes. mr. thompson: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i rise today in recognition of the 193rd air operations group in state college, pennsylvania, who celebrated their 75th anniversary on may 2, 2024. established in april of 1949, the unit was initially named the 112th aircraft control and morning squadron. the unit was federally recognized as part of the nation's reserve defenses. a notable alumnus of the squad run is the honorable -- squadron is the honorable john l. mclucas who served in state college during the 1950's, prior to becoming the secretary of the air force in 1973. in january, 2016, 112th air operations squadron was designated 193rd air operations

group with three subordinate squadrons, the 193rd air communications squadron, the 193rd air intelligence squadron and the 193rd combat operations squadron. the three squadrons operate under the air combat command. since the redesignation, the unit has sent more people around the globe than ever. projecting american air power and to support operations worldwide. since 2010, the air operations group took on its current role of supporting the u.s. air force's central theater as they have completed nine deployments in doha, qatar, during these deployments, the 193rd supported the 609th air operations certainty, conducting operations vital to the global war on terror and thwarting al qaeda, isis and iranian-aligned aggressors in afghanistan, iraq and syria. additionally, the unit assisted in sustaining military operations throughout the u.s. central command area of

operations, including 21 nations in the middle east, central asia and south asia. mr. speaker, as the national strategy has begun to focus on defending against near-peer adversary, the 193rd a.o. gmpt has excelled at state -- a.o.g. has excelled at staying agile, informed and at the tip of the spear, providing combat-ready warriors. the members have most recently supported u.s. indo-pacific command exercises in line with the national strategy to train and meet the increasing threat posed by china. additionally, the 193rd has participated in the pennsylvania national guard state partnership program with lithuania, conducting military training and readiness with a strategic military ally. mr. speaker, i personally thank those who previously and currently serve the 193rd a.o.g. for their dedication and service to our great nation. and i congratulate them on 75 years of operations.

thank you, mr. speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new jersey, mrs. watson coleman, for five minutes. mrs. watson coleman: thank you, mr. speaker. today i rise during police week to honor a son of new jersey's 12th district who gave his life protecting many of the people that are members of this chamber. brian sicknik attended east brunswick technical high school where he dreamed of being a police officer. he later joined the new jersey air force national guard's 108th wing at mcgwire air force base in new jersey. he moved to springfield,

virginia, and joined the united states capital police. one of his -- capitol police. one of his first asienlts was the -- asienlts was the -- assignments was the inauguration of president obama. he was a dedicated protector of our capital. on january 6, 2021, he found himself at the front lines on the capitol's west side, facing off against a violent mob bent on dismantling our democracy. he came under repeated attacks but held his post. defending the lives of the people who had been elected, their staff, and employees of this capitol. later that night, officer sicknick collapsed at the capitol and sadly passed away the next day. officer brian sicknick gave his life defending our democracy against an section fomented by the former president of the

united states of america who is currently on trial. were it not for that insurrection, officer sikhnick would still -- sicknick would still be with us today and were it not for the heroism of for officer sicknick and his fellow officers, we would not be here today. for those who were not with us that day, it must be hard to imagine the danger of the moment. how close we came to losing everything, particularly our lives and our democracy. we have a responsibility to the officers who defended the capitol on that day and who still protect us now to ensure that never again shall they be called upon to sacrifice in such a way. i will be forever grateful to officer sicknick and his fellow uscp and metro police department officers for defending my life, for the lives of my colleagues, and, most importantly, for our

democracy. we are all forever in his debt. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from iowa, mrs. miller-meeks, for five minutes. mrs. miller-meeks: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today in honor of my home state of iowa being ranked the number six overall state to live in. scoring third in opportunity and in the top 10 for education, iowa has proverren that regardless of where -- proven that regardless of where you come from or where you're going, you can find success in the hawkeye state. looking for a great place to study? iowa has some of the nation's top schools. want to buy a house and start a family? iowa is one of the most affordable states to live in and a beautiful state to raise a family. want to start a new career? iowa is home to several booming industries and entrepreneurship flourishes and we would be happy to have you. iowa is historically known for being a farming state, but recently our state has emerged as one of the nation's leaders

in clean energy production. in iowa the american dream is alive, well and waiting for you. god bless the hawkeye state. mr. speaker, i rise today to celebrate national teachers day, which took place this past tuesday on may 7. america's teachers are heroes who take on the monumental task of shaping our nation's future leaders with the utmost grandeur and grit. growing up we never forget those teachers who have left a marked impact on our lives and mentor us through the grilling process of maturation. as a mast of fact, i remember my -- as a matter of fact, i remember my second grade teacher in michigan who helped me to know that i was special enough to one day achieve my dreams. thank you to the tireless efforts of america's teachers, our upcoming generation stands poised to confront the complexities of the future with resilience and readiness. iowa is home to over 35,000 teachers who play a key role in the future of our state.

as we honor their invaluable contributions, let us unite in recognition of their dedication and pray for their continued success and nurturing -- in nurturing the youth and steering the course of america's futures -- americans' futures. mr. speaker, i rise today in recognition of national nurses week which takes place from may 6 to may 12 every year. in 1974, president nixon declared that one week in may should be dedicated to our amazing nurses. then in 1993, the american nurses association board of directors declared that may 6 to the 12 will be the official dates coinciding with national nurses day on may 6 and florence nighten gale's -- nightengale's birthday on may 12. as someone who was a former nurse before becoming a physician and married to a nurse, i can confidently say that our nurses are community heroes. the sacrifices they make for the

well-being of our communities are commendable. so let's take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to these dedicated health care heroes and thank them for their unwavering care and compassion. mr. speaker, i rise today in honor of national police week. national police week stands as a beacon of honor, remembrance and solidarity, allowing us to play homage to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. since its inception in 1962 by president john f. kennedy, this week holds profound significance as we commemorate peace officers memorial day on may 15 and the surrounding days as police week. it's a time when tens of thousands of law enforcement officers, survivors and citizens converge on our nation's capital to partake in events that honor and remember our fallen heroes. national police week isn't just a commemoration. it's a testament to the resilience and dedication of those who wear the badge. it's a repliender that the sack -- remind that are the

sacrifices made by our -- reminder that the sacrifices made by our law enforcement officers will never be forgotten. let us stand together in gratitude and solidarity, honoring the heroes who have given their all for the safety and well-being of others. in iowa we will always back the blue. mr. speaker, i rise today to honor the incomparable career and influence of iowa women's basketball coach lisa bluter who announced her retirement from coaching this week. in her 24-year career coaching the hawkeyes, she's led the team to five big ten tournament championships and two final fours and she is finishing her tenure as the big ten's winningest women's basketball coach of all time. her wide ranging influence over women's basketball is undeniable and her time spent mentoring and molding young women into this generation's elite assembly of athletes is worthy of the utmost commendation. ... i ask my colleagues in

celebrating coach bluder's career. as always, go, hawkeyes. with that i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from north carolina, ms. ross, for five minutes. miss rocks: -- ms. ross: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today to recognize the remarkable life and extraordinary legacy of doctor assad mimandi who sadly passed away last week. born in iran, he moved to the united states in 1955 and quickly fell in love with this country. he moved to raleigh, north carolina, after serving his medical degree from george washington university. he dedicated much of his career to improving mental health care in our state at a time when mental health was much less understood.

his place in the community is also marked by his dedication to the arts. he believed in the power of the arts so much that we can thank him for the creation of the concert hall, home to north carolina's symphony where thousands of people go every year to hear the breathtaking music and experience the concert hall renowned acoustics. the doctor always said that he was an american by choice. not by birth. and that he loved his country so much that he celebrated his naturalization date as his true birthday. his love for america and for our raleigh community should serve as a guiding light to all of us. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. self, for five minutes. mr. self: mr. speaker, today i

stand in solemn reflection in the wake of the first anniversary of the devastating mass shooting at the allen premium outlet mall. i stand to pay tribute to the eight cherished souls we important from that fateful day and to commend the courageous actions of the countless heroes in our community whose swift response mitigated what could have been an even greater tragedy on may 6, 2023, the community of allen, texas faced a harrowing ordeal as a lone gunman released terror upon innocent shoppers at the mall. amidst of chaos and devastation, our first responders collective bravery and swift actions exemplified the highest standards of courage and frogsallism as they selflessly risk their safety to protect and assist those in harm's way. therefore i extend my deepest

gratitude and solemn appreciation to the individuals, departments, and agencies whose acts of valor undoubtedly save lives and provided comfort and reassurance to a grieving community. in remembrance of the innocent lives lost, qu, cindy, james c.ho, elo, christian, daniella, sofia mendoza, and ashwarra, we honor their memory and offer our sincerest condolences to their families and loved ones. i reaffirmed my commitment to preventing senseless acts of violence and fostering communities of peace and safety. may this proclamation stand as a testament to the spirit of unity that define our nation in the face of adversity. i ask unanimous consent for the names of the organizations

listed to be entered into the congressional record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. self: mr. speaker, the everyday people of america can't stand at this podium and talk about the crushing inflation washington spending has created. the single mothers struggling to put food on the table don't have a voting card to vote against the spending that fuels food price increases. young families struggling to buy a home can't give a speech on the house floor about the surging home prices and mortgage rates. we are their voice. we are their representatives. at least we are supposed to be. based on the tax and spend policies of the administration and the blowout omnibus packages forced through this congress by many of my own colleagues, i'll

add, i don't think congress is doing a very good job listening to america. mr. speaker, this congress has passed tuomasive spending packages, continuing the blowout covid expansion and even leaving nancy pelosi spending levels in the dust. what did america h.r. americans get for it? what did they get their their money? they didn't get a secure border. they didn't get safer cities. and they sure didn't get a better economy. you know who did benefit from the blowout spending? lgbtq youth organizations, transgender organizations, abortion facilities, and oh, yeah, the f.b.i. got a brand new headquarters and expanded authority to spy on americans. mr. speaker, the washington establishment is addicted to spending my constituents' money. and it's never enough.

we are $34 trillion in debt and it's still never enough. i have no doubt there are plans brewing right now in this murky swamp to clear the decks, that's the phrase, and use the upcoming appropriations to force through more spending, more left wing poison pills, with nothing to actually secure our border and significantly cut spending to stimulate our economy. it doesn't have to be this way. mr. speaker, on behalf of my constituents and texas district three, i urge my colleagues to wake up, stop spending money we don't have, and commit to cut wasteful government spending. we must bring prosperity back to the hardworking americans. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. correa, for five minutes. mr. correa: mr. speaker, i rise

today to honor the life and legacy of my very good friend, don lee blankenship. don was a husband, grandfather, and long time orange county resident. a lifelong law enforcement officer who proudly served the city of santa ana for 25 years. and as president of the police officers association, he represented those that we refer to as a thin blue line to protect our communities. don was also passionate about honoring fallen officers and dedicated over 20 years to the california peace officers memorial foundation. where we worked together to remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. don was also a devote member of the catholic church. he loved to volunteer there, and spend time with his family and supported notre dame football.

don, today i join your children, your grandchildren, your neighbors and friends in remembering your legacy. and thank you, don, for your dedication and protection of the santa ana community. thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i rise today to honor the career of sergeant mike gonzalez who served our country and our santa ana community for 32 years. sergeant gonzalez served in the u.s. navy for seven years. he was born and raised in north carolina, but soon came to love our orange county community and served the residents of the city of santa ana for 32 years, 32 years as a police officer. sergeant gonzalez is a hero on and off duty. on duty he received service medals for his valor as a police

officer. off duty, he sprang into action in 2017 during a mass shooting in las vegas where he served -- saved many lives. my good friend mike, thank you for your service to our country and to our community. you represent the best orange county has to offer. thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize national police week and the brave men and women who serve and protect orange county. beginning under president kennedy in 1962, police week recognizes those who protect our neighborhoods. we also remember the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. back home in orange county, our police officers are essential to keeping our community safe. i'm proud to have brought back

$3 million just this year to renovate and upgrade police headquarters in fullerton and stanton. to all the police officers at home and across the country, we thank you for your -- for keeping us safe and keeping our neighborhoods proud to have your service. thank you, mr. speaker, i yield. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair recognizes the gentleman from north carolina, mr. rouzer, for five minutes. mr. rouzer: mr. speaker, north carolina will receive a new statue representing our state in the u.s. capitol tomorrow. the late reverend william franklin "billy" graham jr. was a cherished christian leader and exemplary north carolinian. i'm proud to welcome him into the u.s. capitol's national statuary hall collection. born on a dairy farm in charlotte, north carolina, reverend graham came from humble beginnings. he grew up learning the very --

value hard work and developed an unwavering commitment to our lord and savior, jesus christ. through his ministry he would go on to reach more than 200 million people in 185 countries. many of those who heard his message accepted jesus as lord and savior. i have no doubt he led millions to christ, securing their salvation. known as america's pastor, he's one of the few private citizens to receive three of the highest honors that are bestowed by congress. the congressional gold medal in 1996. lying in honor in the u.s. capitol rotunda in 2018. now with this statue placed in the u.s. capitol building. created by charlotte been based artist, chazz fagan, it reflects him pointing to an open bible. i described on the pedestal will be the verse so first down

daysal. john 3: 16. this well-known scripture tells us for god so loved the world he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. at a time when america could use a spiritual revival like never before, how refreshing and great it is we are enshrining this verse in reverend graham's legacy of faith within the halls of congress. as noted in his 2011 book, "nearing home" billy graham wrote, the greatest legacy you can pass on to your children and grandchildren, is not your money or other material things you have accumulated in life. the greatest legacy you can pass on to them is the legacy of your character and your faith. why is faith our greatest le legacy? bus the memory of what we were like, not just our personalities, but our character and faith, has the potential to influence others for christ. mr. speaker, reverend graham dedicated his life to proclaiming the gospel

throughout the world. and i might add in places and countries that were and in many that still are hostile to christianity. i'm proud that countless visitors and lawmakers will now be able to honor his legacy and message for generations to come in the u.s. capitol. mr. speaker, i rise today to honor -- highlight, honor, and celebrate n.c. state university men's and women's basketball teams. both reached the final four of their respective ncaa division i basketball tournaments this past month of april. registering an historic achievement that few schools have ever achieve the. n.c. state women's team displayed strength allier with a 31-7 overall record. including nine wins over a.p. top 25 teams while earning their first final four appearance since 1998. they had statement wins in the tournament against chattanooga, tennessee, stanford, and texas.

nooner guard james was the leader of the pack with blistering accuracy from three-point range. not to be outdone, the men's basketball team won the school's 11th acc tournament championship, the wolfpack clinched and 84-76 victory against a talented u.n.c. chapel hill. becoming the first acc team winning five games in five days. laurening them to their first final four appearance since the national championship run in the 1983n.c. state team. this skill, dedication, and team chemistry they so lied feed in the acc tournament, enabled the wolfpack to keep advancing reeling off wins against texas, and duke. they continued to excel and win. as an n.c. state alumnus, it is with great pride i join so many in celebrating these two teams and their accomplishments. only a select few universities can say that both their

basketball teams a made the final four in their respective tournaments in the same year. .. their legacy is now etched in north carolina state basketball -- n.c. state basketball lohr. i yield back -- lore. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman for five minutes. ms. spanberger: mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize the courage and the sacrifice of the brave law enforcement officers who work each day to keep our communities safe. and to honor those who have given their lives. this week, as we commemorate police week, a week of appreciation and of sleptnyity -- solemnity, president kennedy designated may 15 as peace officers memorial day and the week in which it falls police week, we know that this week draws between 25,000 and 40,000

attendees from across the nation, including from virginia. people who come to honor the sacrifice and the service of their fellow officers and their family members. i grew up in a law enforcement household, my father was a career law enforcement officer, and i grew up with a deep appreciation of those who commit themselves to service. and so i stand here today during national police week to recognize every officer who works to keep virginia's communities safe. i am proud to represent many brave men and women who have answered the call to serve their fellow americans, their neighbors and our communities. and i am grateful for their service and their sacrifice. and this week we remember with reverence their colleagues and friends who have laid down their lives in the line of duty. we owe these heroes a debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid. but their legacies live on in the continued dedication of the officers who served alongside them and the families who mourn and miss them.

in congress, i will continue to advocate for legislation to support our local police departments and sheriff's defendants in carrying out the vital, vital mission that they hold in our communities. together we can honor their dedication to duty by connecting them with the resources, the training, the support and everything necessary for them to perform their jobs effectively and, importantly, to get home safely. to all those who wear a badge, i offer my deepest gratitude. this week and every week we extend our appreciation to the men and women who continue to serve and we remember those who did not come home. may their sacrifice never be forgotten and may their legacies continue to inspire the next generation to serve and protect. mr. speaker, i rise to honor the remarkable life and the legacy of a former constituent, mr. terry anderson.

when i was first running for congress, i had the occasion of meeting someone who was known to be a local advocate and a local activist, but the name was familiar to me, terry anderson. and i met with this gentleman and i heard his story and it was one that was familiar to me from my childhood and one that was familiar probably to many of you. because in 1985, mr. anderson became quite well known the world over when he was kidnapped in lebanon and held hostage by hezbollah until his release in the very, very late days of 1991. he was kidnapped when he was a reporter for the associated press. he was a correspondent who fearlessly pursued truth in some of the world's most volatile regions and his commitment to on the ground eyewitness reporting was unwavering.

this continued his path he had begun, his inquisitive time and life through his service in the marine corps where he rose to the rank of staff sergeant and he saw combat during the vietnam war. and it was this time when he was in captivity in lebanon that he brought back home a support for those who continue the mission of collecting knowledge, who continue the mission of reporting hard facts on the ground. mr. anderson continued to advocate for press freedom worldwide, throughout the remainder of his career, once he returned back home to the united states, he lived in many place, he even once ran for elected office in ohio. he taught university-level journalism. he opened a few restaurants, a horse ranch, a blues bar. and for a time he lived on a farm in orange county, virginia. which is when i had the opportunity to meet him.

and, frankly, eat some of his extraordinary cooking. he was a man of many interests, he was a man of great passion, he was a man who loved and spoke often of his children, and he was a man who inspired me. i'm grateful i had the opportunity to meet him, to learn from him, and upon his passing i wish his family the very best and towards the end of his life he once remarked, i've lived so much and i've done so much, i'm content. his legacy has left an indelible mark on our world, his resilience, his courage have set an example for so many of us. and i ask my colleagues, please join me in remembering terry anderson. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields. the chair gladly recognizes the gentleman from nebraska, mr. bacon, for five minutes. mr. bacon: thank you to my friend and, mr. speaker. on october 7, 2023, the palestinian terrorist group hamas viciously attacked israel, america's best ally in the middle east, and they did it

from the gaza strip. on that day, more,-- more than 1,200 israelis and foreign nationals, including americans, were killed. not since the holocaust have so many jews been killed in a single day. during the unprecedented attack, hamas in conjunction with other terrorist groups seized 253 hostage, many of whom are still held captive today and we know for a fact that some were murdered while in captivity. by hamas. the barbaric attack against israel on october 7 were a scope and lethality not witnessed ever before in the 16 years of hamas control in gaza. u.s.-israel alliance is founded upon our shared democratic and cultural values, our mutual security interests, and an enduring friendship. i say we have spiritual connections, also there's moral reasons to support israel. there needs to be a safe haven for jews who have been persecuted for several thousand years. we support the abraham accords, these accords reflect our mutual

respect for our partnership and the significance that the pursuit of peace in the region holds for the united states and israel. a peace vital to the national security of both of our countries. israel is a vibrant democracy with a government elected by the people of israel. israel is a sovereign nation with a right to self-defense, and self-determination. no country, including the united states, has the right to tell israel whether or how to conduct war time operations in response to a devastating terrorist attack. we certainly is no right to demand that israel submit to a ceasefire. this course of action is for the leadership and the military of israel to determine, it's for the people of israel to determine. in addition, no country has a right or authority to suggest that the prime minister of israel should resign. only the citizens of israel have this right. israel's a sovereign and capable nation with the right to determine who will serve in the government and how it wants to defend itself. and only israel can determine its security needs after the fall of hamas. sadly, our president's called for a ceasefire and leader schumer's called for a new

election. disregarding and interfering in israel's sovereignty. we also see the administration is calling for a two-state solution. so, i ask, who is israel to negotiate with? who on the palestinian side acknowledges israel's right to exist as a jewish state? who on the palestinian side is committed to peace and the rejection of terrorism? pushing for a two-state solution with the current palestinian leadership is a fool's errand. the palestine leaders want a one-state solution where there is no israel. so who are the israelis supposed to negotiate with? who are the trusted palestinian leaders for israel to talk to? there are none. last month congress voted to send much-needed munitions to israel. iran fired 330 munitions recently. the israeli air defenses are depleted. their precision munitions are also depleted. the president has halted sending these needed weapons after congress approved them and directed them to be sent there, because he's trying to protect

or trying to prevent israel from going into the last strong hold of hamas, which is rafa -- rafah. israel cannot let hamas and gaza survive. if they do hamas will continue to be a mortal threat. israel needs to go and finish the job quickly so humanitarian aid can get to the palestinian people. and the president should get out of the way. the united states should not -- should continue to support israel, to stand with israel in the face of attacks, not only from hamas but from anti-semitic nations throughout the world. particularly with the united nations. the united states should continue to assist israel with the means to defend itself. israel is a long time friend and ally and our policy toward israel should be consistent and in line with that history. american politics on election year concern should have no role there. the majority leader and the senate must stop meddling in israel's politics. they're trying to provide security for their people, we would do the same thing, just

like we did after 9/11. with that, mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from washington for five minutes. ms. gluesenkamp perez: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise to recognize a family-owned ranch in thursdayton county in my district. colvin ranch started soon afterring pace inious -- after ignacious colvin came to the area. the ranch is currently run by jennifer, a fifth generation rancher. local farms are the backbone of a resilient and sustainable local food supply chain. however, in recent years we've seen growing consolidation in the agriculture industry. multinational corporate run farms are known to cut corners and prioritize profit over community-minded farming practices. the ranch has been an advocate for building a meat processing plant so they can establish what they like to call the world's shortest supply chain.

by supporting farmers like this ranch, we are investing in sustainable agriculture practices and supporting our local economy and local jobs. mr. chair, i rise today during national police week to recognize the brave men and women in law enforcement across southwest washington. recently i had the honor of going on a ride-along with sergeant ripp of the vancouver police department and i had the pleasure of watching his profound knowledge and deep engagement with the local community. he literally knew nine out of 10 people that we saw walking on the streets, what their lives were like, what their struggles were and how he could support them. he talked about the biggest challenges he sees in his community, including the increasing devastation of drugs like fentanyl and meth as well as challenges of folks dealing with serious mental health issues. the work our officers do is dangerous and often unrewarded, and i'm committed to making sure they get the resources, regard and support they deserve. by providing our law enforcement adequate funding and ensuring they are given the respect and

support they deserve, communities like mine will be able to recruit and retain the best public servants possible. but you cannot pay people enough to be disrespected. and we need a cultural shift that values the sacrifices these officers make along with their families. i am so grateful to have such a strong team working in my district, sincerely, thank you to you all. mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize andrew weber, a proud husband, father and veteran who was raised in raymond, a small town in my district. last year andrew signed up to volunteer for the ukrainian army's 59th motorized brigade. he went to ukraine in order to provide combat training to their soldiers. however, when he noticed that a young man next to him did not have any protective gear, andrew gave him his. andrew passed away on july 29 of 2023 while serving in ukraine. to this day his family firmly believes his death would have been prevented if the ukrainians

had proper resources. that is why it is critical and crucial that after passing the house and senate on april 24, the president signed the lethal military aid package to send $61 billion to ukrainian soldiers. andrew was a soldier but he was a father, a husband and a son. my thoughts are with andrew's family and loved ones as they navigate their profound loss. his heroic service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize doris buyer who is one of the original rosy the riveters during world war ii. she was raised in washington, a small town in my community. from owning the second bicycle in the town to being hired to drive trucks in corn fields at the age of 14, she has always surpassed expectations. at the age of 16 she was one of just a few chosen women along with a few other women to take a mechanics course at the clover park vocational school. upon graduation, she became an

official rosy the riveter and worked in assembly lines at an ordinance depot. no matter what pushback she faced she continued to work and excel. doris received an army navy e award also known as an excellence in production pin, for producing twice as many ax ams as her colleagues each day. doris buyer, along with all the rosy the riveters, helped pave the way for freedom. she still resides in my district where she continued to share her remarkable stories. thank you, doris, for all you have and still contribute to our community. mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize five louis county public utility crew workers who were recently honored by the northwest public power association with a safety hero -- heroism award. on january 22, brad peters, bob hadley, joel chandler, travis merryman and hunter blair saved the life of a man who was disabled by pulling him out of a burning r.v. ...

the crews were working in the area when they noticed smoke nearby. while attempting to distinguished this fire they realize add man was trapped inside and not able to escape on his own. our workers are crucial to the community, but saving lives is well outside of their expected duty. the quick thinking and choices of these men was lifesaving. i applaud them for their heroic work. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields. the chair recognizes the gentleman from guam, mr. moylan, for five minutes. mr. moylan: mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize -- in recognition for the national police week. as a nation we pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have lost their lives while performing their duties. we honor their commitment, bravery, selflessness, and protecting and servicing our communities. the sacrifices made by these officers extend far beyond their own lives.

affecting the lives of their spouses, children, and extended family members who will never -- who will forever carry the weight of their loss. we are thankful for the service they gave, the courage they exhibited, and the example they set. we honor their legacy and commitment to protecting and serving the communities across the nation. as the crime rate seems to skyrocket across the nation, including my district, the territory of guam, our police officers' duties become even more critical to every one of our jurisdictions. national police week gives us the chance to show our gratitude to these officers who continue to sacrifice -- safeguard our streets and neighborhoods. pictured next to me are several officers from the guam police department who serve as the backbone of our island's fight against crime. it's not uncommon for them to

respond to calls with little to no information on what they are walking into. yet, they do so with courage. additionally, our police department has been quite understaffed to combat the level of crime we are experiencing. yet they still manage to provide effective service and public safety. this is why we have submitted requests for patrol cars, mobile commands, and other necessities to better equip our men and women in blue. our officers work long hours, put their lives on the line, and always willing to go the tax breaks mile to ensure our island residents are ok. often these challenging jobs that take a toll on one's physical and mental state, but i am here to ensure that they are recognized and appreciated for their service and sacrifice. today and every day we honor their commitment, bravery, and selflessness in protecting and

civic our communities -- serving our communities. thank you to the men and women in blue. mr. speaker, i rise to pay tribute to an influential figure of my district who has made extraordinary contributions in the field of medicine. the late dr. ra ralph sablan. he left this earth several weeks ago as a well-known and -- and was well-known throughout guam as a talented physician. through his exceptional skills, compassionate care, and unwavering dedication to his patients. dr. sablan became interested in medicine after experiencing a life threatening situation early in life. his uncle, dr. raymond sablan, who was the first chamorro physician saved his life. the incident instilled in him the lifelong passion for

pursuing a career in medicine. upon completing medical school, he joined the united states navy. he was stationed at the u.s. naval hospital in san diego and provided medical service at camp pendleton. he was soon transferred to the u.s. naval hospital on guam. from 1968 to 1969, dr. sablan was deployed to vietnam where he served in den notwithstanding and saigon. he received the national defense service medal, the vietnam service medal, and the navy unit commendation. upon request of congressman antonio wampat, he was re-assigned to the u.s. naval hospital in guam in 1970. after 20 years of service, he retired from guam's u.s. naval hospital and his last tour of duty he served as the executive officer and chief of clinical services. following that he practiced an

additional 30 years as the seoul dermatologist for guam -- sole dermatologist of guam an anti-micronearbyas. as a skilled physician on the island of guam, he has been a shining example of loyal devotion to the duty and service. i am proud to honor him today and may tribute to his exemplary service, leadership, and life's work to the people of guam. may he rest in peace. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair recognizes the gentleman from illinois, mr. davis, for five minutes. mr. davis: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today to honor and pay tribute to the numerous accomplishments and influences of the die lam da chapter of alpha friday alpha fraternity based in chicago, illinois.

as we all know the fraternity stands as the oldest and largest fraternity for african-american men in the united states. as one of the most renowned chapters of the alpha phi alpha fraternity, they proudly celebrate its centennial anniversary today, may 15, 2024. and as a proud alpha myself, i commend my brothers wholeheartedly on this monu monumental milestone. established on may 15, 1924, in chicago, illinois, by 22 community and organizational leaders, including dr. henry calas, a founding member of the national alpha, alpha phi alpha fraternity, the die lam da chapter has become one of the largest and most prestigious

chapters in the world. since its inception they have made significant educational, social, financial, and cultural contributions to the city of chicago and its surrounding areas. for example, the chapter operates both local and national programs. such as the educational foundation that encourages the education of our nation's youth through scholarships and mentorships. additionally, as leaders and pioneers of our community, the members of zi lamda chapter established a computer lab school for inner city youth back in the 1980's. well before the advent of mainstream computer use. for decades, the chapter has also focused on eradicating the disenfranchisement and

suppression of black voters through its, a voteless people is a hopeless people. voter empowerment campaigns. currently the chapter serves as the home chapter of the sitting general president of the fraternity incorporated, dr. willis l.lamzaiii. and notable business leaders, including john h. johnson, tom barrel, paul king, and robert king. the zi lamd chapter proudly claims many members that served in the u.s. judicial system, as well as in congress such as senator roland burris, representatives william dawson, bennett stewart, and ralph metcalf. other notables of the chapter include jesse owens, john hope

franklin, and e. franklin frazier. it is worth noting that presently in the city of chicago there are 23 public buildings named in honor of chapter brothers, including schools, parks, and downtown federal courthouse that is named for ralph metcalf. mr. speaker, in closing i applaud the contributions, leadership, and service of zi lamd chapter alpha phi alpha and has provided our community, country, and the world at large for the past 100 years or more all of the accomplishments that i expressed. i express my strong support in recognizing may 15, 2024, as alpha phi alpha zi lamda chapter

day in the united states of america. i thank you, mr. speaker. yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from arizona, mrs. lesko, for five minutes. mrs. lesko: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today to recognize someone whose service has been important to the welfare of constituents in the arizona's eighth congressional district, hunter griffiths. i appreciate his dedicated service to the eighth district as a community outreach liaison in my surprise arizona district office. in just a short period of time hunter built relationships with stakeholders and constituents across the district. as hunter interacted with the community, he educated constituents on our available services and connected them to critical casework services that

aided in the office's ability to return nearly $400,000 directly to constituents. i would like to thank hunter for the service to the eighth congressional district. his dedication and determination were critical to the success of our stilts service programs -- constituent service programs, and improved the lives of those living in the district. mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize someone whose commitment to public service and to their community will stand the test of time. surprise, arizona, mayor skip hall. mayor hall began his life of public service as the member of city of surprise planning and zoning commission before running for city councilman in april 20, 2008. he went on to be re-elected in 2009 before being redistricted and being elected again in

august, 2018. while serving as the city councilman, hall also began his time in the mayor's office when he served as vice mayor in 2011 and 2014. in november of 2018, he was chosen to fill a vacancy by the surprise city council and began his mayoral tenure. since becoming mayor, hall has generated budget surpluses, restored fiscal health to the city, and has made surprise, arizona, the thriving community it is today. he has even brought thousands of new jobs to the city through investments from amazon and more. mayor hall has accomplished all these things while maintaining strong public safety, increasing water sustainability, and strengthening the city's infrastructure. his impact on the city of surprise cannot be overstated. and he will be dearly missed when his term ends in december.

on behalf of arizona's eighth congressional district i thank mayor hall for his years of service. thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today to recognize the strong leader in arizona whose commitment to america and his community has set a remarkable example, peoria mayor, jason beck. mayor beck began his career as a marine corps reservist before going on to found diamond tactical and eventually founding and becoming c.e.o. of tier tacticle, the leading global manufacturer of tacticle gear and equipment for military and law enforcement. while successfully leading his company as c.e.o., he also began his career in public service when he announced his run for peoria mayor on a promise of realizing peoria's full potential. in realizing this potential,

mayor beck has secured increased funding for peoria's fire and medical departments, and added more law enforcement positions. mayor beck's accomplishments for the city have made peoria somewhere people are proud to be from. proud to work in. and proud to raise a family. as a peoria resident, i applaud his commitment to our community. mr. speaker, i rise to honor arizona's police officers. they are honorable men and women who protect us each and every day. i promise will i always fight against the defund our police involvement. i promise i will protect qualified immunity for our law enforcement, and i promise that i will always stand with the men and women in blue. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields.

the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from minnesota, ms. craig, for five minutes. ms. craig: mr. speaker, i rise today, nearly three months since burnsville lost police officers matthew rugey and palm elmstrand and firefighter paramedic adam finseth in the line of duty. they answered a domestic call early one sunday morning where seven children were being held inside a home by an armed gunman. a tactical vehicle from the city of rosemount was a critical part of the emergency response that day. look at these photos beside me. take a long look at these photos. 41 shots from a gunman's rifle. hit this vehicle. as officers from rosemount and

apple valley tried to help their brothers. we may have had even more injury and, god forbid, death that day without this vehicle. three months ago i stood on the house floor and pledged to honor matthew, paul and adam's lives by giving the first responders who keep our communities safe the support they need on the ground. that's why today i'm introducing the protect local law enforcement act. a bill that would allow local law enforcement to purchase vehicles like the one used in burnsville with federal funds, which is currently restricted by the federal government. law enforcement's multiple missions are harder and more dangerous than ever before. they are routinely put in harm's way. this national police week let's

honor them by protecting them. this bill will save lives and i ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it. with that, mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields. the chair recognizes the gentleman from kansas, mr. mann, for five minutes. mr. mann: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise today to honor the brave men and women who wear the badge and put their lives on the line to serve us, protect us and keep our communities safe. i proudly back our women and men in blue and national police week san opportunity for our nation to come -- is an opportunity for our nation to come together and say thank you to the law enforcement community. according to a recent study, 58% of americans believe reducing crime should be a top priority for the president and congress to address. yet some washington democrats maintain their calls to defund the police. we must reject that nonsense and

support the brave men and women who serve on the front lines by collecting accurate data to address the rise in anti-police attacks, empower law enforcement to detain any illegal immigrant charged with or convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer, and ensuring our officers have access to a variety of mental health services so they -- as they bear the wait of protecting their neighbors in our communities. this body will have the opportunity to offer that support this week by voting yes on bills that will do just that. americans deserve to live in an environment that is safe and secure. it is not lost on me that our law enforcement plays the most significant role in securing and defending that safety. we are grateful. mr. speaker, 370 days ago this body passed the secure the border act of 2023. after president biden's policies created the worst humanitarian

crisis in our nation's history, house republicans rallied together to end the crisis and secure the southern border. sadly, some washington democrats are more loyal to progressive activists than to keeping americans safe. they would rather leave the border wide open, they consider -- than consider our legislation. in the meantime, america suffers. since house republicans passed h.r. 2, there have been more than 2.1 million encounters with illegal immigrants trying to enter the country at the southern border. nearly 120 of those individuals' names appear on the terrorist watch list and almost 33,000 of them have some sort of criminal background. in the past year alone, our border patrol agents have seized enough fentanyl to kill 3.8 billion people. that's the entire populations of the united states, china, india, indonesia, pakistan, nigeria and

brazil combined. it doesn't matter what the white house says, the numbers don't lie. president biden's policies are failing and our country is less secure because of it. under president biden, every state in america's a border state. kansans are concerned about president biden's border crisis. my commitment to the big first, i pledge that i would fight for a nation that's secure and work to end the crisis at the border. that commitment is one of the reasons why i supported h.r. 2. rather than working with house republicans to fix the president's crisis, senate democrats have decided to let h.r. 2 just sit in the legislative grave yard. in the meantime, mexican cartels are more empowered while more drugs and more crime pour into our country over the border. mr. speaker, americans deserve better than this. our children deserve to live in a country where they are safe and secure. it's beyond time for president biden to work with house republicans to secure the southern border.

enough is enough. thank you, mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair recognizes the gentleman from connecticut, mr. courtney. for five mississippi. mr. courtney: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, last night the u.s. house of representatives voted in an overwhelming majority, 376-16, to pass h.r. 7659, the coast guard authorization act. this critical measure, which congress approves every two years, authorizes coast guard procurement programs such as coast guard ship building, which is so necessary in terms of carrying out the coast guard's mission, both at home and overseas, and also makes prudent adjustments to infrastructure, including the u.s. coast guard academy, which is located in my district in new london, connecticut. mr. speaker, unfortunately in 2023, the press discovered that there was a report that the coast guard internally conducted over a number of years, tracking

and identifying an unacceptable and really outrageous amount of sexual harassment and even sexual abuse that was happening on the campus. this report, which the new commandant did release publicly, again describes a totally unacceptable situation which this coast guard authorization bill does address. specifically, the bill includes h.r. 5249, the coast guard safety report act, which i introduced with a bipartisan coalition that requires the coast guard to prescribe a safe to report policy to protect personnel who report incidents of sexual assault or sexual harassment from being punished for minor offenses. again, which may hinder them reporting their own acts or acts which they were victims of. in february of this year, the

commandant directed the coast guard to establish this policy through administrative action. our bill, which we passed last night, will actually codify the policy and make it part of the u.s. federal code, and bring parity for the coast guard -- with the department of defense and other service academies which have had this law in effect for the last five years. mr. speaker, unfortunately many victims of sexual assault hesitate to report because they fear repercussions for minor collateral misconduct. in fact, a recent coast guard workplace gender relations survey found that 25% of female victims who chose not to report their sexual assaults were concerned that they might get in trouble for something else that he thank they did -- for something else that they did. this bill will eliminate a barrier to reporting sexual assault andujarment, take -- and harassment, taking fear of repercussions off the table. i want to thank admiral lisa fagan for her leadership in working diligently with myself,

my staff and other members of congress to craft this crucial policy. i also want to thank chairs graves and webster and ranking members larsen and carbajal for their work in passing coast guard authorization out of committee and bringing it to the floor last night for a successful vote. again, i urge my colleagues in the senate to quickly craft their version of the bill and make sure that we codify these protections for outstanding young cadets who are going to be the future leaders of the coast guard for decades and decades to come. and with that i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair recognizes the gentleman from iowa, mr. feenstra, for five minutes. mr. feenstra: thank you, mr. speaker. this week is national police week. it's time to recognize and thank our police and law enforcement officers for risking their lives and protecting our families. these heroes work long hours and make incredible sacrifices to our communities, they make our communities safe. never seeking recognition or

praise in what they do. we cannot thank them enough for their service to our country. today we also honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. including algona police officer kevin cram and those who sadly passed away due to medical complications such as iowa state trooper kate hoyt ives who passed in council bluffs for years. our prayers remain with their families and loved ones. in congress, i will continue to stand with our law enforcement community and back those in blue. they deserve our deepest appreciation in all that they do. mr. speaker, during national hospital week, i want to recognize our incredible hospitals in iowa and thank our doctors, nurses, health care workers and administrators who keep our hospitals running each and every day. their work is critical in keeping our families and communities safe and healthy.

on my 36-county tour, i met with health care workers and families about the importance of keeping our hospitals open and operational in our rural communities. that's why i introduced the rural hospital stabilization act, which just passed out of ways and means committee to help our hospitals meet payroll, retain quality staff, make needed improvements and deliver exceptional care. as a past city administrator, i can fully say when a rural hospital closes, it's truly devastating to the community and to iowa as a whole. fortunately this bill will deliver the financial support that our hospitals need to provide high quality health care to our families. as a member of ways and means committee, i will continue to advocate for policies that keep our rural hospitals strong and vibrant and protect access to affordable, reliable health care in iowa. thank you again to all our health care workers for creating true quality care in iowa.

mr. speaker, on march 26, door university women's basketball won the 2024naia women's basketball national championship. led by head coach bill harmson, the defender defeated the university of providence by a score of 57-53 to secure the first ever national championship. with this championship victory, the defenders finished the season with nine game-en -- with a nine-game winning streak and ended with a program best 35-2 record. this is an incredible milestone for the history of this program. i want to thank the head coach and the girls basketball team for their hard work, dedication and sportsmanship that has elevated their team to -- on the national stage. i congratulate women's basketball coach bill harmson on a successful season and look

forward to cheering him on in the defender's 2025-2026 season coming forward. thank you and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from georgia, mr. collins, for five minutes. mr. collins: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i rise today during this national police week to honor four georgia sheriffs. sheriffs janice mangem, melvin andrews, robin markly and joe chapman are each distinguished officers from georgia's 10th district who after a career of serving others, they're retiring later this year. our law enforcement officers and first responders, they risk their lives every time they don their uniform. mr. speaker, in a time of defund the police movement out there from the left, it is more important than ever that we back

our men and women in blue. so to every law enforcement officer during this national police week, i join millions of americans out there in expressing my gratitude for your service, dedication and courage. and to sheriffs mangums, andrews, markly and chapman, on behalf of georgia's 10th district, thank you. thank you. thank you. with that, mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. the chair now recognizes the gentleman from missouri, and one of the leaders of the quality of life task force, mr.alford. mr. alford: thank you, mr. speaker. that was a great panel we were on, quality of life, i look forward to continuing working with you on that. mr. speaker, today i rise to honor an extraordinary

individual, sergeant dennis mills, as our veteran of the month. drafted into the u.s. marine corps at the age of 20, he exemplified bravery and dedication in some of the most difficult conditions imaginable during the vietnam war. assigned to the first reconnaissance battalion of the first marine division, he led approximately 40 reconnaissance patrols. on a day that started as a beautiful morning on april 1, 1970, tragedy struck when a member of his patrol triggered a land mine. despite sustaining severe injuries, his courage never waivered. he was medically evacuated after suffering injuries to both legs, his left arm, and receiving shrapnel wounds to his back. for his valor he was awarded the navy commendation medal with combat v and purple heart. thank you, thank you, sergeant dennis mills, for your service and your sacrifice for our great nation.

you, sir, are a true, true hero. mr. speaker, today i rise to recognize the fourth district of missouri's may small business of the month, energy transport solutions. e.t.s. a customer service focused business, run by an industry experienced family that is proud to have an excellent safety record while getting the job done in missouri. energy transport solutions has been owned and operated by a father and son duo, glen and eric, in baits city, missouri, since 1955. e.t.s. specializes in transportation and refined fuels, propane, jet, and aviation fuel, and others. e.t.s. has been in the propane industry for over 68 years and has continued to be a reliable

company to haul our community's products. by the way, they also haul the fuel for the b-2 stealth bomber at the air force base. we are so grateful for energy transport solution's support as we continue to support them. it is an honor to watch them go out of their way to hire and support veterans. congratulations to energy transport solutions on the well deserved recognition of small business of the month in the fourth congressional district of the great state of missouri. keep up the great work. mr. speaker, i rise today to express my deep concern over the president's ultimatum to the state of israel. having recently visited israel on the border with gaza, i fully grasp the graphity of the -- gravity of the situation right now. we witnessed the resolve of the jewish people never have i seen such determination from a country and its people as i have there at the state of israel.

their resolve is strong. they are resilient. to finish the job, bring the hostages home, and eradicate hamas. the white house's decision to halt weapons shipments to israel it's wrong, mr. speaker, it's just plain wrong. when the going gets tough, you do not abandon our friends and allies. they are our greatest ally in the middle east. it is unacceptable that hamas still holds americans hostage, all the hostages. this could be over today, mr. speaker, if hamas would release the hostages and surrender. we must help israel eradicate hamas. we must remove them from that region. by any force necessary. i call on the president of the united states and the secretary of defense austin to immediately lift the blockade and resume shipments to israel. the future of the region depends

upon it. there is no excuse for pausing the weapons. it is an attempt to strong arm israel, the biden administration has crossed the line. i can say with certainty that while the biden administration does not stand with israel, the american people do. mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. pursuant to clause 12-a of rule 1 -- the chair recognizes the gentleman from virginia, mr. cline. mr. cline: thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize and honor an extraordinary group of educators and staff whose dedication has profoundly impacted the allegheny highlands community. this group was selected as the seven inaugural inductees into the alabama gainey highlands --

allegheny highlands hall of fame. this class announced on may 9, symbolizes the excellence that defines our educators in virginia's sixth district. these individual, helen harris, brenda holloway, the late katherine nice lyrics donna vaughn, archie wells, have each dedicated over 20 years of their lives, fostering a nurturing environment in cleftton forge school division. they range from teachers of french, science, art, counselors, coaches, and custodian. each in their unique way has contributed significantly to the educational fabric of our community. guiding countless students toward achieving their full potential. their legacy now forever enshrined in the allegheny highlands public school div division's employee hall of fame reminds us of the transformative power of education. congratulations on this well deserved honor and thank you for your significant contributions

to education in the commonwealth and allegheny highlands. mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize and celebrate an incredible milestone, the 100th anniversary of the shenandoah valley travel association, one of the oldest tourism organizations in the region. founded in 1924, they have played a pivotal role in showcasing the shenandoah va valley's rich necessary and historical legacy. the svta has highlighted what makes the valley special. in honoring the svta's 100th anniversary, we recognize the profound impact the dedications organizations and individuals can have in promoting the unique beauty and history of the shenandoah valley. their efforts enrich our commonwealth and our country. i extend my congratulations to the travel association on this significant anniversary and wish them another 100 years of success. mr. speaker, today i rise to honor' are markable individual from virginia's sixth district,

helen of winchester. her monumental leggacy. she changed the face of end of life care of our community through the founding of blue ridge hospice n. recognition her impact, the helen legacy society was established symbolizing our community's commitment to support the mission of this organization. helen was inspired to establish the hospice here in winchester after her experiences in england demonstrating her foresight and dedication to serving others. it's awe inspiring to witness how her vision of providing compassionate care at life's end has grown from serving 30 patients in 1974 to over 10,000 by 2014 with the numbers continuing to increase. by acknowledging the substantial impact of helen's hop piss in our community, we are encouraged to support such essential organizations. their work not only enriches our community but offers comfort to families during their most difficult times.

exemplifying the utmost in humankindness and unity. mr. speaker, we applaud her for her many years of success and founding an organization that continues to shine as a peakon of hope and care in our cherished community. mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize the hub of education and workforce development in the allegheny highlands, the jackson river technical center, as it celebrates 50 years of outstanding service to our community. established in 1974 as the jackson river vocational center, it has since flourished into a beacon of opportunity and growth, playing a pivotal role in the education landscape of the allegheny highland public schools. over the years, jrtc has evolved to meet the changing demands of the workforce, offering a broad spectrum of programs that include auto motive, culinary arts, drafting and design, early childhood education, electricity, marketing, nurse aid, health assistant, and welding. through these programs jrtc ensures our students are not just prepared for the jobs of today but also poised to meet the challenges of tomorrow. to all those educators, staff,

and students past and present thank you for your dedication and hard work. your efforts have made jrtc a symbol of success in our community for 50 years. may you continue to inspire, educate, and empower for many more years to come. mr. speaker, this week marks national police week. a time dedicated to honoring america's courageous police officers who stand on the frontlines to ensure our safety. while certain voices on the left have demonized our police officers these past several years, it's important we recognize and remember the profound sacrifices -- sacrifices these men and women make protecting our communities every day. in light of this we must rally behind the bill's pro-- bills proposed this week aimed at bolstering our law enforcement and unequivocally denounce the left's efforts to defund our local police departments. it's aharming many on the left support this movement and soft on crime policies that have fueled surges in crime endangering both the public and police. since 1776 over 26,000 police

officers have lost their lives in the line of duty n virginia alone, 550 have made the ultimate sacrifice. these represent individual lives, families left heartbroken, and communities forever changed. as we honor national police week i urge my colleagues to join us in support by passing these bills. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 12-a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in and live now to a hearing with the house financial services committee, with testimony from