[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 86 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5197-H5200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ISSUES OF THE DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Jacobs).
  Mr. JACOBS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to address the House.
  Kathrine ``Kat'' Massey, age 72; Pearl Young, age 77; Roberta Drury, 
age 32; Ruth Whitfield, age 86; Geraldine Talley, age 62; Celestine 
Chaney, age 65; Aaron Salter, age 55; Heyward Patterson, age 67; Andre 
Mackneil, age 53; Margus Morrison, age 55.
  Madam Speaker, these are the names and the ages of the 10 people who 
were brutality and senselessly murdered in my hometown of Buffalo, New 
York, last Saturday.
  I rise to say their names in these hallowed Chambers. I stand here in 
sorrow for their deaths and for the suffering that their families and 
friends are enduring right now. I have thought of little else since 
this carnage occurred on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Buffalo.
  The murderer, who I will not give the satisfaction of saying his 
name, targeted this grocery store and this neighborhood because it was 
heavily populated with African Americans. As our sheriff stated at the 
crime scene, this was a racially motivated act, and this was a hate 
crime.
  I do not have the honor of representing this community in Congress, 
but I have represented it previously. I served for many years on the 
Buffalo School Board and frequented this area as there were many 
schools in proximity. Through my services on the Buffalo School Board I 
came to know Kathrine ``Kat'' Massey, one of those victims. Kat was a 
tireless advocate for Buffalo's children, and her impact to her 
community will be felt for generations.
  I grew up in Buffalo. Buffalo is a great place for many reasons: its 
stunning architecture, its location on the shores of Lake Erie and the 
Niagara River, and its beautiful neighborhoods. What makes our 
community so very special are its people. They are kind, warm, and fun. 
There is always a priority on family, friends, and community. That, in 
my mind, is what makes it the spectacularly special place it is.
  These 10 represented some of the best of Buffalo, and we mourn their 
tragic loss. May God's grace be with these 10 who perished, and their 
grieving loved ones.
  Madam Speaker, I will conclude by saying this: Our city is right now 
in

[[Page H5198]]

the national spotlight due to this vile and horrific act. Predictably 
and inevitably, the national attention will fade, and it will be our 
community's task to heal. It is my great hope that we come together in 
this healing progress, we unify, and we do not succumb to division and 
polarization.
  In honor of those lost--in our healing--it is my great hope that we 
would become a stronger, more unified, and a more loving community.
  Madam Speaker, I conclude by quoting a sign that someone put up on 
their front lawn in my community: ``I love you. You are probably 
thinking, you don't even know me. But if people can hate for no reason, 
I can love.''

                              {time}  1245

  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I appreciate my friend from New York's 
well-considered comments.
  At this time, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), my 
longtime friend, for such time as he may consume.
  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Texas for a few 
minutes this afternoon on the House floor, and I thank him for his long 
service to this House and to the people of Texas.
  Louie Gohmert has set the standard for constituent service, and the 
people of east Texas are grateful for his many years of service in the 
months to come.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the resounding response 
and intense unity that all of us as Americans have witnessed by the 
NATO alliance since the barbaric invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
  The history of civilization tells us that freedom and the peace and 
stability necessary for free people to pursue their interests, their 
pursuit of happiness, is not the natural state. Rather, man's fallen 
nature gives rise to tyranny, domination, and violence.
  The United States and our European friends, who value their freedom 
and their prosperity, suffered two of the deadliest and most 
destructive wars, which threatened the blessings of freedom and 
prosperity on the continent of Europe. In the wake of these world wars, 
and in the face of the communist menace threatening elected 
governments, the United States and European countries realized that a 
free people must stand together to deter and, if necessary, defend the 
encroaching forces intent on squashing freedom and spreading communism 
and authoritarianism.
  Smartly, the United States policy insisted that she would only 
provide military support to Europe if Europe did its own work and was 
united in that effort.
  This principle gave rise to the first fundamental concept of 
collective defense, which is the backbone of our transatlantic NATO 
alliance. As we all know, an attack on one NATO member is treated as an 
attack on all.
  After the September 11 terror attacks on the United States, NATO 
invoked the Article 5 collective defense for the first time and agreed 
on a package of strong defensive measures to come to our aid in the war 
on terrorism and the attack on our homeland.
  It was, indeed, an example of the power of standing together. But as 
I have consistently warned since my time in the people's House, the 
pillar of collective defense had, over time, been weakened by lagging 
investment and commitment by many member states. Collective defense 
does not work unless each member is fully invested in and committed to 
protecting the whole.
  In 2014, only three countries met their commitment to spend not less 
than 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. Now, think 
about that, in the decades since the end of the Second World War, only 
three countries. This is after decades of President after President 
after President urging that full commitment, starting with the 
frustration of President Kennedy.
  In contrast, this year, we have witnessed NATO member states joined 
in solidarity on Russian sanctions. We have seen increases in defense 
spending from member nations, most notably Germany. The largest economy 
in Europe, the most prosperous country in Europe, the largest current 
account surplus in Europe, the largest budget surplus in Europe is now 
committed to its full obligation to the NATO partnership.
  NATO is also doubling the number of battle groups deployed to Eastern 
and Central Europe. The United States has increased its commitment of 
troops deployed to Europe by 25 percent.
  We are witnessing a historic display of 30 member countries 
galvanized in the face of Putin's tyranny and barbarism. It is now 
attracting other European countries that see the value and realize the 
need to protect their way of life from the rising threat of Russia.
  This week, Finland and Sweden announced their desire to join NATO. 
This would be a strategic success for the alliance. Both Finland and 
Sweden are free, democratic countries with sizable and well-regarded 
military forces.
  In February, Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz used the term 
``zeitenwende,'' or turning point. He is turning away from the 
decisions made by his predecessor, Angela Merkel, who somehow thought 
we were going to achieve peace with Russia through commerce. We see how 
that worked out. So a turning point is a key element, and I agree that 
we are absolutely at a turning point.
  As antidemocratic forces aspire to great power conflict, a free 
Europe has thankfully turned toward the proven collective defense of 
NATO. NATO members and, therefore, the alliance itself are living up to 
its promised ideals. NATO is as strong as it has ever been in the past 
73 years.
  Putin must realize the catastrophic consequences that he will subject 
the Russian people to if he dares to go toward a NATO member.
  In addition to military leadership, the United States must use its 
global capabilities and amazing energy resources in this great country 
in support of its European allies. President Biden must end his failed 
energy policy and take every action to return to the 13\1/2\ million 
barrels of production we had prior to the pandemic and our strategic 
value in this great country for every household, every business, every 
ally of energy independence.
  This will lower prices for our families. This will strengthen our 
allies as they move toward independence from Russian oil and gas. 
Europe is now moving, after so many years of debate, toward an all-of-
the-above energy strategy, including expanding nuclear energy.
  I am encouraged by the European response to the crisis and brutality 
of Putin. This unity and commitment to mutual defense are necessary to 
deter and defend Europe, as well as the homeland, so I commend our 
allies for their being on the same page in an inspiring way.
  Now, Madam Speaker, we have more to do on economic sanctions to 
target and focus additional economic pain on Russia, Belarus, and 
anyone, any country, that is economically benefiting these perpetrators 
of the atrocity in Ukraine.
  Taken together, our transatlantic partnership will send a message to 
all tyrants, not only czar Putin but all tyrants in any corner of the 
world: If you attack a sovereign country, if you invade a sovereign 
country using military force, you will pay a military cost. You will 
lose. You will pay a diplomatic cost. You will be kicked out of every 
organization in the world. Your diplomats will be isolated. You will 
pay an economic cost for the mistakes of your leaders.
  Madam Speaker, there is much more work to be done. I am proud of that 
transatlantic response. Beating Putin here is a blow for freedom, and 
the only thing a bully understands is the full force of military, 
diplomatic, and economic might.
  I thank my friend from Texas for the time.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Thank you, and great words, great observations.
  This is a difficult time, but it is also a time to show our 
resilience and do so as one with those who believe in having 
representative government.
  At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend from 
Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann). It is an honor having known him for so 
many years and having become such good friends.
  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Gohmert), my friend, for yielding. My sentiments exactly right back to 
you, sir.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my friend, 
Phil

[[Page H5199]]

Smartt. Philander Knox Smartt, Jr., dedicated his life to public 
service in our Chattanooga area community.
  During his distinguished life, he was a founding member of the 
Pachyderm Club; an active member of the Chattanooga Rotary Club; served 
on the Hamilton County School Board, including a key role as chairman; 
and served with many other community and civic organizations. He was 
also a successful businessperson and a giving businessperson.
  Phil loved our great Nation and was active in our Nation's body 
politic. As a matter of fact, he was one of Tennessee's first 
supporters of our late, great President Ronald Reagan. Phil actively 
supported individuals for office who stood for religious freedom and 
who supported our great United States Constitution.
  Phil passed away last week after a lengthy illness. I was greatly 
saddened, and I still am.
  Most importantly, Phil dedicated his life always to sharing the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ in our State, nationally, and around the world. 
I especially appreciated the fact that he would invite me to stake 
meetings and his always welcoming presence when I would show up and 
visit at his church.
  Our State and our community have lost a great man and public servant. 
We will miss him, and I am proud to honor his life and legacy today in 
this great United States House of Representatives.
  Phil was not only a fine man, but he was a good friend and a great 
American. I am thankful to have known him.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have 
remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. GREEN of Texas). The gentleman has 43\1/
2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  To follow up on comments by my friend from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), how 
fortunate the United States was, has been, to have had Donald Trump as 
President when NATO was languishing, when there was no resolve that we 
could discern that would allow NATO to stand up to evil actions that 
were in the future to be taken by the leader there, Mr. Putin.
  Our allies in Europe did not seem to appreciate the American 
President, President Trump, questioning them about utilizing and 
becoming so dependent on Russian oil and pointing out that, gee, we are 
spending American money to put troops in Europe and keep so many there 
to protect you when you are paying money to Russia and growing 
dependent on them so they can blackmail you for the future and extort 
concessions from you. By the way, you, as a part of NATO, are expected 
to spend 2 percent on your own defense. You haven't been doing that, 
and you are going to start doing that.
  Thank goodness President Trump took those actions. It didn't make him 
popular with leaders in Europe, but right now, even those who didn't 
care for Mr. Trump, President Trump, they can surely see the value of 
the stands he took and the goading that he provided to get them to help 
prepare to stand up for their own defense. Otherwise, they would have 
been in a position to start falling like dominoes.
  But because they started spending more of their money on defense and 
started trying to take actions that would not make them so reliant on 
Russian oil, they are in a better position than they would have been 
had we not had a President named Trump to stand up for what was right, 
to stand up for a republican form of government.

                              {time}  1300

  And that is not Republican Party. It is an elected representative 
form of government. We call it a democracy. Many people do. It is 
really more of a democratic republic.
  We had the leader from the Hellenic Republic, Greece, gave a terrific 
speech here. And as I mentioned to him, I was glad he mentioned 
Pericles because Pericles doesn't get enough credit for the inspiration 
that he provided, the logic that he provided to so many of our Founders 
who wrote and spoke about his brilliance.
  That is something we are not getting a lot of in our schools. As 
education has now taken so much of its direction from the Federal 
Government and the Department of Education, we have schools that have 
increasingly been eliminating lessons in government and lessons in what 
it takes to sustain a republic.
  That is why Ben Franklin said, It's a republic, madam, if you can 
keep it, because he knew--he was so well read--he knew traditionally, 
you can't keep this phenomenal form of self-government that we made all 
the better, as the Prime Minister pointed out, he made it even better.
  We have been so blessed here in America. People take it for granted. 
And they do not understand that you can't sustain this self-governance 
if you are not teaching people what it takes to sustain it.
  Now, we heard the majority leader--we know he would not knowingly, 
intentionally misrepresent the facts, but apparently, not aware of the 
true facts, that we don't have a majority that supports a replacement 
theory. We do not have a majority that fears minorities becoming the 
majority.
  No, in fact, the majority of Republicans, the huge majority, have no 
fear of minorities becoming a majority. Our concern about the mass 
influx of people that have never been educated to what it takes to have 
a self-governing country, is that you lose it.
  Now, I have pointed out for years, people say, oh, you must hate 
Hispanics because you want a secure southern border. It is exactly the 
opposite.
  I look at the Hispanic culture and I see three basic--and I know it 
is usually not good to generalize, but I see, generally speaking, three 
commonalities. Most Hispanics have a faith in God; they have a devotion 
to their family; and they have a hard work ethic. Those are the three 
things that made America the greatest Nation in the history of the 
world.
  And it was so wonderful to hear the Prime Minister from Greece 
pointing these things out about how America--clearly, they know around 
the world, they know, you took it, and you expanded the freedom, 
expanded it, made it better than it ever was in ancient Greece, where 
democracy began.
  Years ago, there were, I think, four or five Members of Congress, we 
had stopped, we had made a trip to the Philippines. We went to see our 
American troops that were training Filipino troops to fight against 
radical Islam that existed and had created so much chaos in some parts 
of the Philippine islands.
  But we stopped on the way back to refuel at the Maldives islands, and 
we were having lunch with some of their leaders. And I was talking to 
one of them.
  They are such gorgeous islands, beautiful white beaches, water 
crystal clear, just beautiful.
  But he was telling me, you know, we are a new democracy. And he said, 
there are always rumors about a military coup taking power. And then he 
paused, and he said, we never had a George Washington to set the proper 
example, so we are always worried about military coups. Well, they have 
had problems there.
  But here I was on the other side of the world, a little, bitty 
island, and this leader knew more about our American history than so 
many, maybe even a majority of American students, know now about what a 
huge thing it was.
  It is depicted in one of the eight big paintings in our rotunda, of 
George Washington with a piece of paper in his hand. That was his 
resignation. He copied 13 that he sent to each Governor, and this one 
was the original that he presented to the Continental Congress there in 
1783.
  He had won the Revolution as the head of the military. He could have 
been like Napoleon and been an emperor. He could have been a czar, 
dictator, whatever, king. In fact, some wanted him to become, in 
essence, a king.
  And there he was. Congress had even given him authority to make all 
kinds of contracts and pay whatever he needed to pay to win the 
Revolution.
  And here he was, with all that power, could have been, in essence--
here is all the power back. I am going home. Incredible. That was 
historic. And so many don't know.
  But leaders, like the Prime Minister here this week, he knew. The 
Maldives, those little, bitty islands, they knew.

[[Page H5200]]

  But when we have an administration like the current one that, 
basically, despite saying they have secured the border, the border is 
not secure. People are flooding in.
  And we don't fear having minorities be the majority. What some of us 
are concerned about is people flooding in, out of control, that have 
not been educated in what it takes to sustain a republic; because I 
have heard this from other leaders in what we consider free countries 
around the world, and they are getting scared.
  They see what is happening in America. They say, don't you 
understand, when you lose your freedom in America, there will be no 
more freedom in the world.
  This week, Ronald Reagan has been quoted a number of times, and the 
Prime Minister mentioned as well, that freedom is never more than one 
generation away from extinction.
  But for America to lose our freedom, which is what is in the process 
of happening when you take more and more right of the American people 
and give it to the Federal Government, and you give more and more right 
to the Department of Justice and Intelligence to spy on the American 
people, and you have an Attorney General who seizes more and more 
power, and says we are going to start spying on people that raise 
questions at school board meetings, you are jeopardizing self-
government.

  And to even think about creating a disinformation board that truly 
was--oh, it has been put on pause--a ministry of truth? The government 
gets to tell you what you can believe and not believe? Might as well 
just start calling us the Soviet Union. Good grief.
  I can't believe how close we have come to what George Orwell, using 
his pen name, described in 1984. As I have said before, it is appearing 
that the main thing he got wrong was the year. It wasn't 1984, it is 
now.
  But people have got to wake up. And for those--and I have heard it 
around, everywhere I go, including the airport here, the airport in 
Texas, you have got to do something about the price of gasoline, the 
price of diesel. It is making everything go up. I don't have money to 
fill my tanks.
  Well, who caused that? The Biden administration. Who caused the 
shortage of formula? The Biden administration.
  And we already got a question from a TV station back in Tyler, 
Channel 19, they always try to pick things apart.
  Well, I didn't vote for this new bill that is supposed to fix baby 
formula. Well, I can tell you, giving millions of dollars to the FDA or 
the Biden administration is not going to produce one drop of baby 
formula. And, in fact, if they were going to be the ones to fix things, 
they would never have allowed us to get to this point.
  But what happened? Without any regard for what would happen, they 
went after the Abbott facility, and it turns out, none of the formula 
was found to have been contaminated. Yet, they created this shortage.
  And now, this administration thinks the solution is more government, 
more money to the government. If we could just get more money, more 
people employed in the government, we can fix anything. No, that is why 
we have a shortage, because government is not the answer. Government is 
not the answer to getting cheaper gasoline prices and diesel prices and 
stopping inflation.
  Government, right now, is creating, has been creating inflation. It 
is time to allow the incredible economy that wants to grow and wants to 
be a pie that is not a zero pie, where everybody just gets smaller 
shares. No, it grows. We get a bigger pie.
  And nobody explains the economy and what can help fix things in this 
body better than my friend from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert).
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________