[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A FRIEND CLOSER THAN A BROTHER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Self) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, Jesus said: ``Greater love hath no man than 
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.''
  These words guided the life of the late Sam Johnson who served the 
great State of Texas 27 years in this House, 6 years in the Texas 
House, and nearly 7 years as a POW in the infamous Alcatraz annex of 
the Hanoi Hilton.
  Mr. Speaker, if you had the honor to shake Sam's broken hand, then 
you felt the permanent damage that he endured for our Nation. Sam 
Johnson laid down his life for his friends throughout his life. It is 
an honor to serve in the House seat where he honorably served.
  Those words of Jesus guided me through my military career and through 
my introduction to the 118th Congress that first week, and they will 
continue to guide me just as they did my friend Sam Johnson.
  Our Nation is facing tremendous uncertainty. Misguided policies are 
causing inflation, incentivizing criminals, promoting out-of-control 
spending, and projecting America as weak on the world stage.
  Now is the time for Congress to restore fiscal restraint, embrace 
family values, offer certainty to our citizens, and stand firm against 
tyranny that encroaches on freedom around the world.
  There is a model for our Nation's leaders to follow. The Texas model 
provides a roadmap to guide this House in its effort to restore 
America's future.
  The Texas economy ranked ninth of all nations by GDP, ahead of 
countries like Canada, Australia, and Russia. The Texas delegation in 
Congress has the most Republican Members because people are flocking to 
Texas for economic prosperity, improved quality of life, and greater 
opportunity. That description is the American Dream. But that dream 
should not be limited by geography.
  Everything that is right about America can be found in Texas: from 
the feedlots in the panhandle where I grew up to ports along the Gulf 
Coast, from farms in the Rio Grande Valley to the piney woods of east 
Texas, and from the oil patch to military bases scattered across the 
State. Texas has agriculture, manufacturing, finance, defense, and 
tourism. Big cities and small towns--Texas has it all.
  Unfortunately, we also feel the pain of what is wrong with America: a 
flood of illegal immigrants crossing our border along with drugs like 
fentanyl and victims of human trafficking. Texas families are hurting 
just like other families across this great land. Crime is rising, 
inflation is still out of control, and children are being exploited 
right before our eyes.

  The day after the November election, pundits called the GOP weak. Two 
months later, they called us crazy for working to restore the House to 
the way it operated for over 200 years. We worked until we achieved the 
rules that govern a Congress that now operates efficiently. I believe 
that, standing shoulder to shoulder with Speaker McCarthy, this 
Congress with these rules will help lead America back to its place as a 
beacon to the free world.
  The GOP has not yet gained the trust of many Americans. My belief is 
that if we hold the line on spending, commit to defending our borders, 
and resolve to embrace the values of our forefathers, then we will earn 
America's broad support.
  We--all of us right here in this Chamber--wrestled over the rules a 
few weeks ago. We wrestled hard--just as Jim Jordan wrestled back in 
his day--and I am proud to say that this Congress is off to a pretty 
good start with bold leaders who are making a difference.
  The days ahead are days of promise. They will be long days with hard 
decisions and tough votes, but if we endeavor to embrace the 
encouraging words of Jesus to sacrifice for our friends, then I believe 
that we will continue to be that shining example to the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit to you that the struggle over ideals in this 
Chamber is appropriate, and it makes us stronger.
  The question is: Will we hold the line, especially when attacked by 
those who oppose liberty?
  The preamble of our Constitution speaks of securing the ``Blessings 
of Liberty.'' Let's commit to holding the line and to standing together 
to those opposing American exceptionalism. Let our example to the 
American people and the world be our commitment to preserving liberty.
  Will we sacrifice?
  Will we lay down our lives for liberty?
  I pray we will.

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