[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 29, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3298-H3301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING STRONG NATIONAL SECURITY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 4, 2021, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) is recognized
for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of strong national
security policies, policies like the remain in Mexico policy,
enforcement of our existing interior immigration laws, and the
completion of key miles of fencing and technology that protect our
southwest border--policies, Madam Speaker, that President Biden hastily
removed on his first day in office, without any plan to replace them.
President Biden and the Democrats in the House and Senate supported
ending those Trump-era policies. Those policies, Madam Speaker, were
working to rein in the flow of illegal immigration.
Now, with no plan and no substitution, the result is pure political
theater, simply because those were Trump policies. While they were
working, President Biden stopped them.
President Biden appointed Vice President Harris to serve as the
border czar. One would think that she would act in critical ways to
replace those national security policies that were working under the
Trump administration and that President Biden ended. Not only did she
not present solutions to the historic number of hundreds of thousands
of immigrants who were pouring across our southern border, but she
refused to visit the border for nearly 100 days since being appointed
border czar.
She even laughed at the idea of visiting the border, comparing it to
taking a trip to Europe. Finally, after cries from the American people
and calls from House and Senate Republicans, she did agree to take a
trip to the border.
Madam Speaker, I have been to the border seven times over the past
5\1/2\ years, most recently in April. Specifically, I traveled to the
Rio Grande sector in the Rio Grande Valley. The conditions I found
there were worse than I have seen on my previous trips. In fact, Border
Patrol estimates that the drug cartels in Mexico made $400 million in
February alone in human trafficking.
Think about that, Madam Speaker: $400 million in one month by
charging $5,000 to $9,000 to traffic hundreds of thousands of people
across the border, some innocent, some not.
These drug and human trafficking challenges are just part of the
crisis at the border because while Customs and Border Patrol are
working on the humanitarian elements of this crisis, drugs are coming
across the border and criminals are coming across the border.
In fact, Madam Speaker, we have interdicted in the first 6 months of
this year enough fentanyl to kill all in America. It is shocking that
we have interdicted that much fentanyl drug that it could kill everyone
in this country because it only takes the amount in a Sweet'N Low
packet, Madam Speaker, to kill 500 Americans. This is a deadly drug.
The Vice President chose to visit El Paso. El Paso is nearly 1,000
miles west of the Rio Grande Valley, where this crisis has its
epicenter. If she had gone to the Rio Grande Valley, she would have
seen cartels dropping off migrant families by the dozens and holding
camps for migrant families struggling to get the water, time, and care
that they need.
Regardless of who designed the policies, the Biden administration
should be for stronger national security policies on the border. But
the Biden border crisis is out of control, and it is going to take more
than a short public relations visit to El Paso to fix it.
[[Page H3299]]
I encourage the Vice President and the administration to come to the
table with Republicans in the House and Senate and implement strong
national security borders and reform our broken illegal immigration
system.
Announcing American Hostage Task Force
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce that the
Congressional Task Force on Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad has
been initiated by Congressman Ted Deutch from Florida and myself.
The inspiration for me to form this task force was Majd Kamalmaz, a
former resident of central Arkansas who was traveling to Syria to
attend a family funeral where he was wrongfully detained and has been
held in Syria ever since. I am dedicated to bringing him home safely to
his family.
Having a loved one detained or held hostage abroad is unimaginable.
It is a heartbreaking experience for any family.
Representative Deutch and I created this task force not only to help
these struggling families but to be a resource for our colleagues in
the House, as there are over 50 families here in America who are
struggling with a member of their family held abroad. We want to help
Members of Congress help their constituents cope with this issue.
Every channel of the United States Government should be working to
bring these Americans home and to disincentivize the wrongful detention
of Americans in the future, by state actors or nonstate actors.
Madam Speaker, I am committed to bringing Majd Kamalmaz home to his
family. Ted Deutch and I are committed to using this task force to
bring other Americans wrongfully detained home, into the arms of their
loved ones.
Marking 100th Anniversary of CCP
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, a century ago, the Chinese Communists took
control of one of the great countries in global history. The Chinese
Communist Party marks, this month, a century since the beginning of
China's descent into authoritarianism.
Just as the Chinese Communist Party used violence to impose its will
onto the Chinese people during the Chinese Civil War, now it uses that
same violence and threat of violence to crush any dissent within its
borders.
We saw this last summer, when the CCP silenced the democratic voices
of Hong Kong, swiftly marching troops into the city to stop
demonstrations for freedom. Beijing has blatantly ignored the terms of
its 50-year treaty with the United Kingdom and ignored Hong Kong's
legislature, arresting pro-democracy activists and lawmakers en masse
and crushing a long history of press freedom with the recent closing of
Apple Daily.
As I speak, over a million Uighurs and other Muslims have been
interned in concentration camps for reeducation. Families have been
separated, lives destroyed, and cultures all but erased in the name of
the magnificent Chinese Communist Party's ultimate authority.
Respect for human rights is a fundamental tenet of American foreign
policy. The continued suffering of the Uighurs, the citizens of Hong
Kong--and all other individual rights of speech, privacy, assembly, and
religious belief are trampled by the Chinese Communist Party.
It is no 100-year celebration here on the House floor, Madam Speaker.
The American people stand with the hardworking people of China. The
Congress of the United States stands with the hardworking people of
China, and we will work to continue to advocate for freedom of people,
assembly, belief, and press in China.
Applauding FBI Cyber Busts
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the tireless
dedication of members of the FBI in recently seizing approximately $2.3
million from the hacker group responsible for the Colonial Pipeline
ransomware attack.
After the Colonial Pipeline paid the hackers the entire $4.4 million
ransom, and with the money seemingly lost forever due to bitcoin
encryption, these FBI agents were able to recover more than half of the
demanded sum.
I am also proud to recognize that the FBI conducted 800 arrests in 16
countries thanks to an encrypted messaging app it developed as part of
a 3-year digital sting operation on international crime.
Just as encrypted, untraceable communications have become pervasive
in how criminal enterprise operates on a global scale, ransomware
attacks have been on the rise as they prey on the digital vulnerability
of our businesses and infrastructure, often with little hope of
recovery or justice.
I applaud the vigilance and ingenious methods of the investigating
agents and encourage their continued efforts to ensure safety in our
digital age.
Reintroducing Coptic Christian Resolution
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H.
Res. 117, which calls on the Egyptian Government to end the culture of
impunity for attacks on Christians and to undertake the arrest,
prosecution, and conviction of individuals who carry out attacks on
Copts and other Christians in Egypt.
I was the lead on a nearly identical resolution in previous
Congresses. I truly appreciate the support I received from my original
cosponsor, the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), and nearly
50 of my House colleagues who have cosponsored the resolution in this
Congress.
Madam Speaker, Egypt and the United States are important partners in
the fight against terrorism. Egypt's role at Camp David has led to some
of the closest ties between the United States, Egypt, and Israel in
their history, and we are grateful for their most recent engagement
between the terror group Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Government of
Israel.
Madam Speaker, I respect President el-Sisi and his good relationship
with the Coptic Pope. He has attended Mass on multiple occasions. He
has had some churches reconstructed, and he has constructed the largest
Christian cathedral in the Middle East in the new administrative center
in Egypt. And President el-Sisi is relentless in holding terrorists
accountable for their atrocities.
{time} 2045
People all around the world, regardless of their religious
affiliation deserve the same freedom to practice their chosen religion
like we have enjoyed here in the United States for more than 200 years.
The respect for human rights and religious freedom is a fundamental
tenet of American foreign policy. I will continue to advocate for the
Coptic Christians and all Egyptians, be they Christian or Muslim, who
together take their water from the Nile.
Arkansans Should Check the Status of Their Passports
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge all Arkansans to check
the status of their passports well before traveling.
Due to backlogs in the State Department, passport renewals by mail
are taking longer than usual. There is a backlog of up to 10 weeks for
their expedited service and 18 weeks for their regular service.
This lag in service at the State Department is affecting Arkansans
wanting to travel for mission trips, study abroad, or take a family
trip in the aftermath of the pandemic.
So far, my office has helped 70 people this year receive their
passports, and we have opened more than 90 cases in the past 6 months.
And this compares to opening cases and receiving passports of only
about 200 in the 5 previous years
So, to my friends in Arkansas, check your passport prior to your
trip, and if it is expired, get it renewed as soon as possible
I encourage everyone to stay up to date on passport services and
travel advisories and to check COVID-19 protocols, masks, testing, and
quarantine issues before you travel.
Arkansans Must Get Vaccinated
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to encourage all Arkansans who
are not currently vaccinated for COVID-19 to consult with their doctor
about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The best way to combat the spread of these COVID variants is by
receiving the vaccine. As more information and research develops around
the delta variant of the coronavirus, I want to ensure that all
Arkansans stay safe and remain healthy as we prepare for this spread.
The only way that we can fully reopen our economy and get truly back
on our feet is with more people being vaccinated for COVID-19.
[[Page H3300]]
Each FDA conditionally approved vaccine is backed by science and
doctors who have worked hard over the past year to develop,
manufacture, and distribute these critical vaccines.
So work with your physician. Help protect your family and the
Arkansas community by getting a vaccine shot soon.
Recognizing Great Outdoors Month
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize that June is Great
Outdoors Month and recognize the great conservation work of my
colleagues in Arkansas in the Governor's office and at the Arkansas
Department of Parks and Tourism.
As a lifelong outdoorsman living in The Natural State, I have a lot
of pride in recognizing June as Great Outdoors Month. For 9
generations, my family has lived in Arkansas and enjoyed the
extraordinary natural beauty throughout our State.
I agree with many of the earliest conservationists in protecting our
wildlife and our wild places and that can be done through reasonable
and realistic means, and I am proud to continue my work in central
Arkansas.
Just last week, I joined Governor Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of
Parks and Tourism Stacy Hurst in announcing the new Office of Outdoor
Recreation and the addition of a great new wild place in central
Arkansas: Blue Mountain just west of Pinnacle Mountain. Just west of
Rattlesnake Ridge, Blue Mountain will be a new opportunity for hiking,
mountain biking, and enjoying the extraordinary view of Lake Maumelle
from the Nature Conservancy and the Arkansas Department of Heritage's
latest partnership to expand outdoor recreation.
In the same announcement, the Governor announced that our parks and
tourism department would work with the Ouachita National Forest and
open up Lake Sylvia Recreation Area and the old Camp Ouachita to year-
round participation by Arkansans. This is a great partnership between
the Federal Government and the State government to offer more outdoor
recreation opportunities for our families to enjoy in The Natural
State.
The National Personnel Records Center Must Go Digital
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness to the
difficulty for many to obtain a critical document for our veterans:
That is their form DD-214.
You can't do anything as a veteran without a copy of your DD-214.
This paperwork is required to verify for our servicemembers their
benefits, how to obtain a disability claim, funeral service, research
about lost medals. We need a copy of your DD-214.
Well, the pandemic has not been good for this need for the millions
of veterans in our country. The National Personnel Records Center shut
down, and as we come out of the pandemic when our veterans need these
resources, they are still terribly behind, despite Congress
appropriating more money.
It is critical that the National Personnel Records Center go digital
so that we can properly verify these servicemembers and give better
service for those who have served their country in such a valuable way.
It should not be difficult for our veterans to get their DD-214 to
pursue their benefits or claim healthcare at our Veterans
Administration. It shouldn't be a burden to a spouse, to a family of a
fallen veteran to have the proper paperwork to have a proper funeral.
So I urge my colleagues to join me and continue to press the National
Archives to improve their service for the bravest men and women and
their families.
Recognizing Steve Wells
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
accomplishments and retirement of Catholic High School teacher and
longtime friend Mr. Steve Wells.
Mr. Wells has been teaching at Catholic High School in Little Rock,
Arkansas, for 38 years. His decision to end his long service at the
school, having graduated there in 1973, is recognized by many as the
end of an era at CHS.
Steve's a native of north Little Rock and came back to the school as
a substitute English teacher in 1983. The teacher for which he was
substituting never returned, and Steve Wells has been teaching there
ever since.
When you walk into our beloved Catholic High there is a quote that is
above the front door. It says: ``Come boys, so that you may become
men.''
Mr. Wells did exactly that. And he served as a teacher and a role
model for generations of students throughout the years.
I congratulate my friend, Steve Wells, on a dedicated career of
helping boys become men and wish him the very best in his retirement.
Recognizing Arkansas' Women Veterans
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of Women's Armed
Services Integration Act. I am proud to recognize the more than 20,000
women veterans in Arkansas.
Women have been serving in the military in different capacities for
more than a century. Women like Deborah Sampson, who fought in the
Revolutionary War, and Loretta Walsh, America's first official enlisted
woman of any service.
They pioneered the way for women to serve in the United States Armed
Forces. And with more women serving now than ever before at any time in
our history, action is being taken to continue and build a positive
environment for women in the armed services. Further, our Veterans
Administration continues its efforts to enhance families, facilities,
and services for our growing number of female veterans in Arkansas.
I thank the women of our armed services for their dedication and
service to our country.
Recognizing Gracie Lee, Alyssa Huie, Randilynn Stripling, and Catherine
Mills
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize four incredible
young women on the Clinton Arkansas Future Farmers of America team.
Together, Gracie Lee, Alyssa Huie, Randilynn Stripling, and Catherine
Mills made history by being the first all-female team to win not one,
but two State competitions in electricity.
Due to the pandemic, the team was allowed to compete in the State
contest a second time, making them back-to-back State champions in
electricity.
This team serves as a great example to all the young Arkansans that
are committed to working hard and being pioneers in their fields. I
applaud them for their diligence and determination.
This team demonstrated great dedication, and I am incredibly proud to
represent these history-making young women and all young Arkansans in
central Arkansas.
Recognizing Melvin Williams
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the determination
of Little Rock native, Melvin Williams. A terrible and unfortunate
injury in high school ended his football dreams. His grades slipped,
and Melvin dropped out of school.
Years later, Melvin had earned his high school diploma at a program
at Goodwill Industries. The Excel Center at Goodwill is a fully
accredited and cost-free public high school in Little Rock for adults
19 and older.
Not only is Mr. Williams now working toward a business degree at the
University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech, he is one of Goodwill's newest
employees. He is in charge of recruitment and retention at Goodwill.
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas CEO Brian Marsh says, ``Melvin is
exactly who we need for this role.''
I congratulate Melvin on his accomplishments and for being a
wonderful representative for Goodwill Industries.
Congratulating Ellis Freel
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Miss Ellis
Freel on being a recipient of the Congressional Award Gold Medal.
The Congressional Award Gold Medal requires the recipient to complete
a minimum of 400 hours of volunteer service, 200 hours of personal
development, and 200 hours of physical fitness and 5 days of
exploration or expedition.
Miss Freel cites the most challenging obstacle in completing the
requirements of being a gold medalist as her 5-day wilderness
expedition. Due to restrictions from the pandemic, Ellis had to make
adjustments that taught her patience and flexibility.
Miss Freel serves as a wonderful asset to her hometown of Bryant,
Arkansas, her college campus at the University of Arkansas and to
Arkansas' Second Congressional District.
[[Page H3301]]
Recognizing Finalists of the Arkansas State Coding Competition
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the finalists from
central Arkansas in the fifth annual Arkansas State Coding competition
and a finalist for the Arkansas Computer Science Educator of the Year
Award.
The team taking third place at the State coding competition this year
was from eStem High School in my hometown of Little Rock. The three-
person team included Elijah Keen, Spencer Knight, and Sergio Markin.
Each student received a 529 college savings plan worth $500, in
addition to winning $4000 for their school.
Also, a special congratulations to Kimberly Raup for being a finalist
in the 2021 Computer Science Educator of the Year Award. She teaches at
Conway High School, and she received a $2,500 award for being named a
finalist.
Congratulations to these students and to Ms. Raup on their awards,
and a special thank you to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
for hosting this event.
It is events like this that allow our central Arkansas students to
showcase their coding and STEM talents to show the importance of
computer science for our youth.
Happy Birthday America
Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I bring birthday greetings to our beloved
Nation. I rise today to celebrate freedom and independence and
democracy right here in the United States.
{time} 2100
Madam Speaker, 245 years ago, our brave Founding Fathers gathered
together in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence. And
on that hot July, in that stuffy room in Philadelphia, they came
together to change world history, to change history here in the United
States, and to open up a lifetime of opportunity for generations of
Americans yet unborn.
Madam Speaker, what amazes me about that time is that small committee
of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, thinking through of
how would we break with Great Britain, how would America leave Great
Britain.
Madam Speaker, Jefferson was concerned. In his rough draft, he said
of Great Britain and the United States: ``We might have been a free and
great people together.''
Those words are not placed in the final copy of the Declaration of
Independence, but it shows the struggle that the Founding Fathers had
and Thomas Jefferson had as a principal author of how to make that
break with a people they had respect for, and a king and a king's
policies they despised.
``We might have been a free and great people together.''
But think of the momentous feelings they had, the prayers they had
every day on their knees for strength to take on the most powerful
country in the world, with the most powerful Navy and military in the
world.
As Jefferson said: `` . . . it becomes necessary for one people to
dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another . .
. '' To pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Jefferson, while he didn't include that statement about being
partners as a free people going forward, he argued, ``we have appealed
to their''--the British--``native justice and magnanimity.'' And they
were rejected.
Madam Speaker, think of the bravery there. As the signers of the
Declaration, those Founders came together and said in the final closing
words of the Declaration of Independence: ``And for the support of this
Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine
Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes,
and our sacred honor.''
And they did that for those generations of Americans unborn in this
great land.
So 245 years later, we have proven our resilience and our strength
once again in coming through the pandemic, defeating COVID-19. And I am
optimistic about the future of our beloved country. While it has been
challenging over the last year and a few months, but compared to the
challenges those Founders faced, compared to the challenges this
country has faced many, many times before, we show our strength, we
show our true mettle, we pull through as one Nation under God many
times before.
So on this Fourth of July, I invite all Americans to celebrate our
country's birthday with their friends and family. Honor our cherished
freedoms. And may we never forget the sacrifices of those generations
before us in public service, in uniform, on the battlefield, who have
sacrificed so much so that we may enjoy those freedoms that we have
today. God bless each of you and God bless our great country.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
____________________