[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 11, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H4809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FIRST, AMERICANS LAST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Rose) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROSE. Madam Speaker, when a Federal judge struck down the Centers 
for Disease Control's 15-day extension of the mask mandate on public 
transportation, Americans celebrated this action as a welcome win for 
freedom. This decision was long overdue and was welcomed by almost 
everyone, except those in the Biden administration who immediately 
announced they would be appealing this decision.
  After hearing this announcement, I was perplexed. After all, 
President Biden had just recently announced that he would be lifting 
pandemic restrictions on our southern border by rescinding title 42 
enforcement. The American people got the message loud and clear: 
illegal immigrants first, Americans last.
  Madam Speaker, 2.4 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended 
at the border since President Biden took office, 221,303 just in the 
month of March of this year. This is all before President Biden 
announced title 42 would be rescinded, which is sure to lead to an even 
larger influx of illegal immigrants as we wait to see the April numbers 
from Border Patrol.
  Madam Speaker, it is past time to put the politics aside and put this 
country first. We must secure our border by finishing the wall and 
enforcing our laws. I urge President Biden to reverse his decision to 
rescind title 42 and put America First.


                     Recognizing Mrs. Opal Bohannon

  Mr. ROSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Opal Bohannon 
as she celebrates 95 years of life. She is a beloved mother, 
grandmother, Cookeville native, and one of the best cooks in all of 
Tennessee. Mrs. Bohannon made her entire State proud when she was named 
the ``world's grand champion down-home beef stew chef'' at the Music 
and Molasses Festival in 2007.
  Opal is the oldest of 10 children. She learned how to cook by helping 
her mother in the kitchen, as so many do, and she got good at it. Her 
beef stew not only won awards, but it was also a dinnertime staple in 
her family for more than 60 years. Mrs. Bohannon went on to hone those 
cooking skills by working in the Cookeville High School cafeteria for 
15 years before retiring in 1989. Her culinary gifts were featured in 
the Tennessee Home and Farm magazine and even recognized by the 
Tennessee General Assembly in 2008.
  Throughout her life, Mrs. Bohannon exemplified what it means to have 
a servant's heart. She regularly brought her blue-ribbon stew to 
friends, neighbors, and church potluck dinners for guests to enjoy. She 
frequently volunteered for the Putnam County Fair. While she spent 
countless hours in the kitchen, it is clear her real talent in life has 
been bringing joy to others.
  Madam Speaker, I hope Mrs. Bohannon has a great 95th birthday and 
many more great years to come.

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