[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 133 (Thursday, July 29, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H4255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING KANSAS COUNTY FAIRS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Mann) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of my favorite 
times of the year, county fair season in Kansas. This summer, all 63 
counties in the big First District will host at least one county fair, 
featuring FFA and 4-H livestock shows, rodeos, demolition derbies, 
science demonstrations, fair food, and most importantly, people coming 
together to celebrate their communities.
  County fairs are special because each one is unique to that county. 
Some county fairs rally volunteers to build barns for farmers in need, 
some hold premium livestock auctions for 4-H and FFA members, driving 
economic opportunity for those students and their futures.
  Other fairs serve the world's most famous root beer floats or host 
family fun nights where young and old participate in sack races and 
play horseshoes. County fairs teach hard work, respect, and humility. 
They are emblematic of conservative values, and it is certainly where I 
learned them as a child.
  Growing up in Quinter, Kansas, I attended the Gove County Fair every 
year with my family. I still remember the excitement we all had when 
our hard work culminated and my siblings and I entered our 4-H projects 
for review. Those summers taught us lessons we still use today. Last 
weekend, I found myself reliving the childhood excitement with my son, 
Austin, at the Riley and Wabaunsee County Fairs.
  At the Riley County Fair, 4-H members Peyton and Genayla, showed us 
their market steers and purple ribbon show pigs. The joy and 
satisfaction of accomplishment on their faces was proof that county 
fairs serve a critical role in the lives of our youth.
  At the Wabaunsee County Fair, I met with Alex Gnadt and the county 
fair board. We toured their brand new livestock facility, constructed 
by volunteers with donations from county agriculture businesses. 
Communities rally to support county fairs because they know the 
substantial impact they have on the entire community.
  I plan to visit several more county fairs this summer, and I am 
grateful for communities who prioritize these time-honored traditions. 
If you attend a Big First county fair, you will see Kansas conservative 
values on full display: hard work, responsibility, generous giving, and 
positive attitudes.
  You will see strong communities, strong leaders, and you will see a 
bright future. I am proud to be a product of the county fair, and I 
look forward to celebrating them for years to come.


                         Bloatedbus Legislation

  Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the partisan 
appropriations bill House Democrats are forcing through Congress this 
week.
  With a 50/50 split in the Senate, and a margin of just a few votes 
separating Democrats and Republicans in the House, American voters 
clearly want Congress to work together to produce a bipartisan spending 
plan. In response, Democrats have ignored the American people and 
produced one of the most partisan budgets in history. Their bloatedbus 
contains nearly $600 billion, a funding increase of more than 21 
percent from the last fiscal year.
  This bill is a progressive wish list. It boosts funding for the White 
House by nearly 40 percent and the Vice President's office by 22 
percent. It rewards the most liberal agencies like the EPA and IRS, 
with massive budget increases, only furthering their presence in our 
lives. It contains more than 1,500 earmarks, returning us to the 
corrupt practice of pork barrel spending.
  It contains harmful regulations to Kansas farmers and ranchers by no 
longer exempting producers from greenhouse gas reporting requirements 
and reverting to old regulations that decrease meat processing 
capacity, further suppressing the price of live cattle.
  The worst part of H.R. 4502, however, is the absence of the Hyde 
amendment, a traditionally bipartisan provision protecting taxpayers 
from forced financial complicity in elective abortions. In the 
bloatedbus, Democrats purposely omitted the Hyde amendment, and instead 
took the opportunity to voice their support for radical abortion 
policies.
  I cannot support legislation that mortgages the future of our 
children and grandchildren. I oppose H.R. 4502, and I urge my 
colleagues to do the same.


                      Recognizing Katherine Thomas

  Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, lastly, I rise today to recognize and thank 
Katherine Thomas for her tireless and selfless work for all Kansans.
  In the last 8 years, Katherine has championed Kansas farmers and 
ranchers in the Halls of Congress, working on food and agricultural 
issues for several Members of the Kansas congressional delegation.
  In 2018, Katherine helped usher the farm bill to completion under the 
direction of Senator Pat Roberts, then Chairman of the Senate 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. Most recently, knowing 
how important agriculture was to me, Katherine helped establish my new 
congressional office and prioritize farmers and ranchers in the big 
First Congressional District.
  I am proud to have had Katherine on my team, and I wish her the best 
of luck in her next adventure back in the Senate. Thank you, Katherine.

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