[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H3980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100
                       BIDEN'S ECONOMIC FAILURES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Burchett) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, the inflation rate in the United States 
currently stands at 7.9 percent. That is the highest it has been since 
January 1982.
  As prices continue to rise, thanks to the unfavorable financial 
conditions created by President Biden's agenda, these companies should 
rebrand themselves to reflect the state of our economy.
  Whole Foods Market will need to change its name to Piece of Food 
Market. Pretty soon, that is all shoppers will be able to afford.
  When Americans take their next family vacation, they might need to 
rent a car from the airport. Hertz Your Wallet has vacationers covered.
  Then there are the big box stores, long cherished for bulk purchases 
at low prices. Those days, of course, are gone in President Biden's 
economy. Enjoy a trip to Costgoing Up Wholesale or Targetting More 
Expensive.
  When we have an administration that is putting forward $5.8 
trillion--that is trillion with a t--budget requests, that says 
everything you need to know about their attitude towards inflation.
  Madam Speaker, this group is simply out of touch with the financial 
pain felt by American families because of rising prices. I hope the 
next inflation report on April 12 contains some good news from 
consumers. Of course, if it doesn't, I have no doubt that the Biden 
administration will deny responsibility and shift blame to Big Oil, big 
agriculture, or big something. One thing is for sure. President Biden 
will never blame Big Government for his administration's economic 
failures.


   Celebrating Former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade

  Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate former Tennessee 
Supreme Court Chief Justice, my good friend, Gary Wade, and recognize 
his long and distinguished career in Tennessee law.
  Born and raised in east Tennessee, Chief Justice Wade made the 
indisputably wise decision to attend the University of Tennessee, my 
alma mater, and graduated with his law degree in 1973. I would like to 
note that I was in the third grade at that time. A couple years later, 
Chief Justice Wade decided to pursue public service and became the 
youngest-ever mayor of Sevierville, where he served for five 
consecutive terms while simultaneously practicing law.
  In 1987, Chief Justice Wade joined the Court of Criminal Appeals 
where he served for 19 years and was presiding judge for 8 of those 
years. In 2006, he was appointed by then-Governor Phil Bredesen to the 
Tennessee Supreme Court, and he served as the court's chief justice for 
2 years.
  Following his retirement from the court in 2015, Chief Justice Wade 
became vice president and dean of Lincoln Memorial University's Duncan 
School of Law, who is named after my predecessor. The school achieved 
full accreditation from the American Bar Association thanks to Chief 
Justice Wade's leadership. In 2020, he retired from that position and 
joined the London Amburn law firm in Knoxville.
  Outside of his legal activities, Chief Justice Wade leads several 
charitable initiatives in east Tennessee. He started the Tennessee 
Judicial Conference Foundation, a program that awards need-based 
scholarships to students attending any of Tennessee's six law schools. 
He is also a cofounder of Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National 
Park, which contributes funds to protect the park, and a cofounder of 
Leadership Sevier, a leadership training program for young Sevier 
County residents.
  Congratulations on an impressive career, Chief Justice Wade.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  March 30, 2022, on page H3980, in the second column, the 
following appeared: Leadership Sevier, a leadership training 
program for young Sevier County residents. CONGRATULATIONS ON AN 
IMPRESSIVE CAREER, CHIEF JUSTICE WADE And on a personal note, I 
will always remember when Mama and I were going
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: Leadership 
Sevier, a leadership training program for young Sevier County 
residents. Congratulations on an impressive career, Chief Justice 
Wade. And on a personal note, I will always remember when Mama and 
I were going


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


  And on a personal note, I will always remember when Mama and I were 
going to the hospital when Daddy had just had his stroke. We were in a 
little bit of a state of panic. He saw us and passed us and called me 
on my car phone to check on us and check how Daddy was doing. He is a 
dear friend.


                   Honoring Specialist 4 Victor Hodge

  Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Specialist 4 Class 
Victor Hodge, an American hero who served his country as Tennessee's 
Second District's March 2022 Veteran of the Month.
  Specialist 4 Hodge has battled health issues his entire life, but he 
never let that break his spirit. One day when he was 17 years old, he 
was out driving with his mother and saw an Uncle Sam poster on a 
building in Maryville, Tennessee. He told her to stop the car because 
he was joining the Army. She told him that they wouldn't take him, but 
Specialist 4 Hodge got out of the car anyway. And on July 28, 1978, he 
officially became a member of the United States Army, despite the 
obstacles created by his health.
  He received his initial military training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, 
Texas, and then was assigned to a Nike Hercules as a missile crewman. 
Upon completing his training, Specialist 4 Hodge was stationed at 
Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. His duty location was in the 
Florida Everglades, and he went on to become the leader of his squad. 
He served in Florida for a year and a half before health issues forced 
him to return to Fort Bliss.
  Due to his health, Specialist 4 Hodge received a medical discharge 
from the Army. One of his favorite memories from his service in Florida 
was when he had the privilege of meeting General Bradley, the first 
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  Since retiring from the military, Specialist 4 Hodge has been blessed 
with three children, two stepchildren, and three he helps raise. 
Specialist 4 Hodge is a man of strong faith and thanks God every day 
for all the blessings in his life.
  Despite persistent health struggles, Specialist 4 Hodge did not let 
that stop him from serving his country. It is my honor to recognize him 
as Tennessee's Second District's March 2022 Veteran of the Month.

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