[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H244-H245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM CHINA TRADE DEAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Arrington) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of President 
Trump's effort to hold China accountable for its unfair trade 
practices, and I commend him and Ambassador Lighthizer on achieving the 
first phase of resetting that relationship.
  For years, China has been taking advantage of American manufacturers 
and producers through currency manipulation, state ownership, stealing 
our intellectual property, and other unfair and unseemly behavior.
  The bottom line is this, Mr. Speaker: They have been cheating 
Americans, and politicians have let them get away with it for far too 
long.
  Joining me in this historic gallery today are 27 of the hardest 
working, God-fearing farmers in west Texas. Cochran, Lubbock, and 
Bailey Counties are represented here today. They know all too well the 
disastrous results of this trade imbalance with China.
  President Trump loves the American farmer, and thanks to his hard-
fought negotiations, producers from the South Plains and across the 
country will reap the benefit of China's new commitment to purchase up 
to $50 billion in U.S. agriculture products. That is nearly twice the 
amount ever purchased by China.
  These farmers can attest that the pain from China's retaliatory 
tariffs is real, resulting in higher input costs, lower commodity 
prices, and a significant decline in market share in one of our largest 
export markets.
  All of this has come on the heels of record bankruptcies and the 
steepest decline in farm income since the Great Depression, but our 
farmers stand with this President because they know he is doing the 
right thing. They know he is fighting for them, and they also 
understand that when we get to the other side of this deal, there will 
be greener pastures for the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the food, fuel, and fiber 
capital of the world in west Texas. These cowboys and plowboys who feed 
and clothe the American people, and fuel the American economy, are a 
picture of America's traditional values of hard work, faith in God, and 
love for their families and fellow man, which, by the way, is the real 
substance of what makes America great.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of them, I thank the American people for their 
support through these tough times, and I thank President Trump for 
putting America first and fighting for a better future for the American 
farmer.
  God bless, and go west Texas.


                  Remembering Lubbock First Responders

  Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, this is a very solemn moment for me and 
all

[[Page H245]]

west Texans. On Saturday morning, west Texas lost two of our finest and 
bravest first responders.
  Lieutenant David Hill of Lubbock Fire Rescue and 27-year-old Lubbock 
Police Officer Nicholas Reyna were responding to a rollover accident 
when they lost their lives in the line of duty. A 30-year-old 
firefighter and paramedic, Matt Dawson, was also injured and remains in 
critical condition.
  This is a tragic reminder that our heroic first responders wake up 
every single day and risk their lives to keep us safe. These men 
understood the sacred call to service. They gave the ultimate sacrifice 
and demonstrated the greatest love for their fellow man.
  The Holy Scripture says this: ``There is no greater love than this, 
than to lay down your life for your friends.'' May God welcome these 
earthly heroes into His heavenly kingdom. May He comfort the Reyna and 
Hill families. May He grant Matt a speedy and full recovery. May He 
continue to bless and keep those who keep watch over us.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will remind Members that the rules 
do not allow references to persons in the gallery.

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