[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4016-H4017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING ODESSA AND MIDLAND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Pfluger) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Odessa and 
Midland Chambers of Commerce during

[[Page H4017]]

their fly-in to Washington, D.C., this week. It was incredible to host 
nearly 70 business and community leaders, elected officials, students, 
teachers, and staff from all throughout the Permian Basin, including 
the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, engaging with lawmakers, 
advocating for their community and advocating for energy independence. 
Thank you to the Odessa Chamber president, Renee Earls, the Midland 
Chamber president, Bobby Burns, and all the fantastic staff, leaders, 
and volunteers who helped make this fly-in successful.


                          Title 42 Rescission

  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, the Biden administration's handling of the 
border crisis is not humane. It is heartbreaking.
  Yesterday, the White House confirmed their intention to rescind Title 
42, one of the only policies in place that is helping quell the border 
crisis.
  This decision will have disastrous consequences on the already 
several million illegal immigrants who have flooded into this country. 
Human trafficking and smuggling across our border have reached historic 
highs, and our border States are paying the price. In fact, every State 
is a border State.
  Texas is suffering from record-high levels of fentanyl and drugs 
pouring across the border, increased crime, high-speed chases, and 
more.
  DHS already lacks the capacity to process, retain, and apprehend 
illegal immigrants along the border. Rescinding Title 42 will only 
double down on the amount of people that are illegally crossing the 
border, making it that much more difficult for those in the Border 
Patrol and Customs, and other agencies, who are trying to do their job 
to keep this country safe.
  The small communities along the border are already overwhelmed and 
they cannot withstand a surge of hundreds of thousands of illegal 
migrants reportedly waiting on the other side of the border to get in 
once Title 42 is rescinded.
  Migrants will pour into this country in a flood as our communities 
experience the catastrophic results. Patrol facilities and local 
communities will once again be forced to absorb at least double the 
current number. Title 42 is the only policy that is helping.
  The administration has abandoned Texas, has abandoned other border 
States, and has abandoned its duty to secure our country. Making any 
changes to this policy will have disastrous consequences.
  And get this straight, I remind everyone in this House that we still 
have a mask mandate on board aircrafts in this country to keep us safe 
from COVID. Yet, we are rescinding Title 42, also in place because of 
the pandemic. Think about that.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to 
stand with us and to help come up with a reasonable solution. Title 42 
rescission is not that solution. President Biden must not rescind Title 
42.


                   Recognizing Elizabeth Ann Mafford

  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a staple in the 
Odessa, Texas, community, Ms. Elizabeth Ann Mafford, also known as 
``Ms. Ann''.
  Ms. Ann recently celebrated her 10th work anniversary at Chick-fil-A 
in Odessa, Texas. And while this was a special occasion in and of 
itself, it comes on the heels of Ms. Ann also celebrating her 90th 
birthday.
  Ms. Ann is a constant in Odessa, Texas, bringing joy and light to 
everyone she encounters. From working the drive-through and the front 
counter and just greeting customers on the way in, she continuously 
spreads light throughout the entire community.

  In a testament to Ms. Ann's life, her celebration of her 10th 
anniversary on the job was recognized community-wide. Folks posted 
online in recognition of Ms. Ann's kindness and love, and I would like 
to personally thank her for living the American Dream, for showing 
everyone throughout this country that even at 90 years young that she 
can still work and be a productive member of our community, bringing so 
much light and joy throughout Odessa, the Permian Basin, and Texas.
  Ms. Ann, thank you for what you do for our community and the joy you 
spread.

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