[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 110 (Friday, June 23, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H3134-H3137]
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 9, 2023, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arkansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Rutherford), who is my good friend and a wonderful leader in the Law 
Enforcement Caucus in the House of Representatives.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leslie and Carlton C. Smith 
for their high achievement in exportation. Leslie and Carlton's 
Jacksonville-based heavy equipment exporting business, Heavy Equipment 
Resources of Florida, or ``HERO FL,'' is a top exporter of components 
and spare parts to mining industries all around the globe.
  Earlier this month, HERO FL was awarded with its second Presidential 
E Star Award for Exportation. This award is the highest honor given to 
our Nation's exporters and highlights HERO FL's significant 
contribution to U.S. exports and their development of market entry 
strategies for challenging international markets, specifically in 
Africa.
  The E Star Award, which is now designated by the U.S. Secretary of 
Commerce, sets HERO FL apart from their peers for their noteworthy 
export promotion efforts.
  Just since 2013, HERO FL has grown from 10 export markets to over 32. 
This is an incredible achievement and is a testament to Leslie and 
Carlton's hard work in northeast Florida and across the globe.
  I am honored to recognize their efforts, and I am grateful for the 
economic growth that they continue to bring to Florida's Fifth 
Congressional District.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, again, for yielding.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for his 
promotion of his constituents and their success in exporting and for 
his recognizing the importance of small business to the House of 
Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley). My 
friend is from one of the most beautiful congressional districts in 
America, the Sierra Nevada.
  Mr. KILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Music in the 
Mountains, a unique organization in Nevada County, California, that 
combines world-class orchestral, choral, and musical theater 
performances with a deep commitment to music education.
  The Music in the Mountains season features live concerts and events 
showcasing the orchestra and chorus performing with world-renowned 
classical musicians and soloists. Performances are staged in several 
venues located in historic gold rush communities of Grass Valley and 
Nevada City.
  At the heart of Music in the Mountains is the SummerFest Classical 
Festival, now in its 42nd year. Audiences are enthralled by powerful 
classical masterworks, modern favorites, and innovative pieces from 
brand new composers staged in an outdoor theater.
  In the days leading up to July Fourth, the festival celebrates music, 
community, and our country's birth.
  In addition to presenting inspiring concerts, Music in the Mountains 
offers innovative educational programs touching the lives of about 
5,000 students each year.
  To fulfill the goal of empowering children to perform, compose, and 
listen to music, Music in the Mountains offers a variety of activities, 
including Take 5 for Music, Carnegie Lineup, Full Circle Music Program, 
and Peer Performing 4 Peers.

  The youth orchestra is a symphony orchestra program for string, 
woodwind, brass, and percussion players ages 8 to 21. Students in the 
Young Composers project study composition, notation software, 
conducting, melodic and rhythmic dictation, music theory, and music 
history.
  The Side By Side program offers student musicians the opportunity to 
sit in with the orchestra at rehearsals and perform with their mentors 
in live performances.
  Through its performance and educational endeavors, Music in the 
Mountains recognizes the power of music to heal and transform the 
individual and the community.
  On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored 
to recognize Music in the Mountains for the empowering programs and 
profound impact the organization has had on Nevada County and the 
broader region.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments and for 
promoting this good work in his district, and I thank him for his 
public service.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an important piece of 
legislation that I am working on here in the people's House.
  The Ouachita Mountains inside the Ouachita National Forest stretches 
some 220 miles from my district in central Arkansas to eastern 
Oklahoma.
  For 50 years now, I have sought refuge and pleasure in visiting a 
remarkable corner of the rugged Arkansas Ouachita National Forest 
mountains called Flatside. It is named for a sandstone outcrop that 
dominates the forest below.
  Mr. Speaker, you can see in this photo on one very cold February day 
with a blanket of snow on the ground that I was looking west from the 
top of Flatside toward another high point in the wilderness area called 
Forked Mountain.
  My guide that day was my good friend of now 50 years and longtime 
neighbor in Little Rock, Don Hamilton.
  Don is a longtime member of the Ozark Society, a former board member 
for the National Wildlife Federation, and a tireless advocate for 
wilderness areas in our Nation.

                              {time}  1215

  At the time of this photo, I was a Senate staffer, and Don was urging 
me to persuade my then boss, U.S. Senator John Tower, a Republican from 
Texas, to cosponsor Democrat Arkansas Senator Dale Bumpers' Arkansas 
Wilderness Act.
  This act would establish the 10,000 acres of public U.S. forestland 
around Flatside as one of nine new wilderness areas and the only one in 
the Second Congressional District.
  With Senator Tower's endorsements and the tireless work by Senator 
Bumpers and my Second District predecessor, Republican Congressman Ed 
Bethune, Flatside did, in fact, join the U.S. Forest Service wilderness 
rolls in 1984 when it was signed into law by President Reagan.
  At that time, the Flatside area was anticipated to be larger, 
encompassing the additional U.S. Forest Service lands that I am 
addressing on the House floor today in my new legislation.
  Over the ensuing years, the Forest Service and advocates were never 
able to craft a strategy whereby those acres left out of the 1984 
designation could be included.
  When I joined Congress in 2015, I set about to design an approach 
that would expand Flatside to its originally contemplated size.
  First, I introduced the Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act, which 
passed in both the House and Senate in 2018 and was then signed into 
law by President Trump in January of 2019.
  This bill added what I called the Bethune Woods acreage to Flatside.

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Thanks to Congressman Bethune for his years of hard work on this area.
  This 640-acre addition had been coded by the U.S. Forest Service as 
wilderness and managed that way but had never been formally added to 
the boundaries of Flatside.
  As a companion measure, Senator John Boozman of Arkansas and I 
included in the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill a provision 
whereby the Forest Service would complete a careful and thorough study 
of the other Federal forest lands around Flatside that might well meet 
the 1964 Wilderness Act definition and be eligible for inclusion.
  In May of 2021, Flatside's wilderness evaluation was completed by the 
Forest Service. They thoroughly examined all the areas in question and 
outlined the ones that they believed would qualify as wilderness if so 
designated by this House, by our Congress.
  Thus, Mr. Speaker, here we are, 40 years later, discussing my bill, 
H.R. 3971, the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act. This act implements 
the careful U.S. Forest Service study that was completed back in May of 
2021.
  Further, I collaborated on the design of the measure with my 
colleague, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chair 
Bruce Westerman and his staff.
  This bill admits 2,200 existing qualifying public U.S. Forest Service 
acres to the existing wilderness area. Land that qualifies for 
wilderness designation in accordance with the May 2021 study and is 
currently already managed as potential wilderness by the Ouachita 
National Forest Management Plan.
  This measure is supported by our Arkansas Governor, Sarah Sanders, 
our parks and tourism leadership, our game and fish commission, our 
local officials in the nearby counties, and our outdoor recreation 
leaders, including The Ozark Society who was so instrumental in the 
1994 work.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and complete the 
good work started by my predecessor so long ago, Congressman Ed 
Bethune, and initiated by President Reagan, signing the Arkansas 
Wilderness Act of 1984 into law.
  Today, we take this final step to complete Flatside Wilderness' 
original footprint and offer the wild beauty of The Natural State for 
generations to come.
  For me, Flatside has provided five decades of peace that was promised 
in John Muir's great poem that goes like this:

     Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, nature's 
           peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. 
           The winds will blow their own freshness into you and 
           the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like 
           autumn leaves.


             Honoring the Life of Ambassador C. Boyden Gray

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the life of a dear 
friend and a remarkable public servant, Ambassador Boyden Gray. Boyden 
died on May 21, 2023, at the age of 80.
  There was no finer gentleman, father, companion, or principled 
conservative advocate than the Honorable C. Boyden Gray.
  In his remembrance of Ambassador Gray at a June 7 service at Christ 
Church, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas described Boyden as calm 
and courageous, warm and humorous.
  It was my great pleasure to serve on the White House staff of 
President George H.W. Bush and witness Boyden's humor, courage, and 
principled leadership on a regular basis.
  President Bush was fortunate to have Boyden Gray as his White House 
counsel, his friend, and also his counsel during his years as Vice 
President during the Reagan administration.
  Boyden was instrumental in advising the President on appointments and 
on landmark legislation such as the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 
and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Gray went on to continue his 
public service as our U.S. Ambassador to the European Union from 2006 
to 2007.
  Boyden was also a long-time attorney and conservative constitutional 
advocate in private practice in Washington, D.C.
  In his touching eulogy, Justice Thomas quoted Boyden's frequent 
statement that his daughter, Eliza, was ``the best thing I have ever 
done.''
  That was in full evidence as Eliza gave a beautiful tribute to her 
dad. Her dedication and love and his for her was in full evidence.

  Martha and I send our hugs to Eliza, her husband Nick, and their 
children Jane and Wyatt.
  The world is a less interesting place with the loss of our friend, 
Boyden Gray. I have no doubt that he is suggesting many structural 
regulatory reforms in Heaven as we speak.


Recognizing North Little Rock High School's Victory in the Capitol Hill 
                               Challenge

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an incredible 
achievement from the high school students at North Little Rock High 
School who finished in first place in the SIFMA Foundation's 20th 
Annual Capitol Hill Challenge.
  This is the security industry's nationwide contest. We used to call 
it the stock market game many years ago.
  Thousands of teams from all 50 States compete in this 4-month 
financial education program where student teams invest a hypothetical 
$100,000 and learn the value and function of our capital markets and 
investing fundamentals through an integrated, comprehensive curriculum.
  Additionally, these students learn how to think critically and 
collaborate with their peers which, in turn, improves their own 
personal decisionmaking and financial literacy.
  The Capitol Hill Challenge allows for thousands of students across 
the country, particularly at underprivileged schools, to have access to 
exceptional financial educational programming and for those who might 
not even have had an opportunity to learn these important skills.
  These students, as well as others whose schools finish in the top 10, 
recently traveled to Washington, D.C., and got to meet with their 
Congressmen and their Senators.
  I congratulate the hardworking students at North Little Rock High 
School for this great achievement of being tops in financial literacy 
and in this contest.


                    Recognizing Colonel Angela Ochoa

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Angela Ochoa 
for her distinguished service as the 19th Airlift Wing Commander at 
Little Rock Air Force Base.
  Colonel Ochoa was commissioned in 2001, and throughout her career has 
flown in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Resolute 
Support, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, and Volant Shogun.
  Colonel Ochoa has spent the last 2 years dedicated to the C-130 
airlift community, ensuring that the 19th Wing is mission ready for 
global support.
  Through her efforts, she has left a positive impact on more than 
10,000 personnel and families that travel in and out of Little Rock Air 
Force Base every day.
  In addition to her focus on combat readiness of the force, Colonel 
Ochoa continued to vitalize and support the central Arkansas community 
through the introduction of the Department of Defense's STARBASE 
program, which provides STEM-focused education opportunities for 
children in the area. She has also made immeasurable contributions to 
our community through the Honorary Commander Program.
  I wish Colonel Ochoa continued success as she comes here to metro 
Washington, D.C., and takes command of the 89th Airlift Wing at Joint 
Base Andrews.


                     Happy 187th Birthday, Arkansas

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge that this month, June, 
our great State of Arkansas celebrates 187 years of statehood.
  Arkansas' rich history has shaped the vibrant and growing communities 
across our State today. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to 
stand before you and celebrate its heritage, progress, and the 
possibilities ahead for our citizens.
  Arkansas' heritage is evident across our State in museums and 
historic sites but also in the individual stories of people across our 
State, their own stories, their own generations of calling Arkansas 
home.
  Throughout our history, Arkansas has consistently lived up to its 
nickname, The Natural State. Families across our country visit our 
State parks, our historic sites, and other great outdoor recreational 
experiences from the Ozark Mountains to the Mississippi Delta.

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  Besides the outdoors, Arkansans of all ages take advantage of 
opportunities in our State from art to sports to business and 
technology.
  I am proud to support business investment in Arkansas and our young 
people as they learn more about what it means to call Arkansas home.
  For all these reasons and more, I am confident that Arkansas has a 
bright future ahead. Today, and every day, I am proud to represent the 
many central Arkansans that make our State great. Happy Birthday, 
Arkansas.


Congratulating Susan Ramsey, Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher of 
                                the Year

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Susan Ramsey, the 
recipient of the Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher of the Year 
award from the Arkansas Farm Bureau.
  Ms. Ramsey teaches language arts in Pangburn, and she leads a garden 
class on Fridays for third and fourth graders, providing them new and 
engaging experiences in and around our food system and agriculture.
  Pangburn High School's agriculture teacher Brian Harris, who 
nominated Ms. Ramsey for the award, praised her garden program because 
it provides students these important experiences at such a good, young 
age.
  Ms. Ramsey has undeniably made a positive impact on her students, 
providing them the tools they need for future success. Programs like 
these benefit students and their families across our State.
  This recognition is well-deserved, and as our State's nominee, she 
will represent Arkansas well at the National Ag in the Classroom 
Conference coming up. Thank you, Ms. Ramsey, for your dedication to 
your students.


                   Congratulating Dr. Gary B. Arnold

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend, Dr. 
Gary B. Arnold, for his outstanding work as Head of School at Little 
Rock Christian Academy. After 16 years at Little Rock Christian, Dr. 
Arnold's legacy will not be forgotten.

  From expanding the campus, building modern athletic facilities, and 
improving the art and science programs, Dr. Arnold improved student 
life immensely over his tenure.
  Not only did Dr. Arnold lead his students, but he was a mentor to 
many other heads of school across the Nation.
  Dr. Arnold held many positions of leadership for national 
organizations, promoting high standards and the growth of independent 
Christian education.
  Through his devotion to spreading the faith and serving in the name 
of Jesus, Dr. Arnold's leadership creates a long-lasting, positive 
impact.
  I congratulate Dr. Arnold on his amazing work at Little Rock 
Christian and look forward to his continued leadership across our great 
country.


                      Congratulating Allie Thomas

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Allie Thomas on 
representing Arkansas in the 2023 National History Day competition.
  National History Day is a high school competition whereby students 
can present historical research projects through websites, 
endorsements, or even performances.
  Each year, nearly a half million students across our great country 
participate in National History Day. The topic for this year's 
competition was Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas. The 
students' topics ranged from the history of science to politics and the 
military.
  Allie was one of only 3,000 students selected to participate in the 
National History Day competition at the University of Maryland just 
this past week.
  To advance to the National Competition, Allie's project was named a 
top-two project in her category and division.
  I am so proud of Allie and her hard work. And we are honored she 
represented our great State of Arkansas.

                              {time}  1230


                Recognizing Arkansas Children's Hospital

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Arkansas Children's 
Hospital for being featured in the most recent U.S. News & World 
Report's list of best children's hospitals.
  Arkansas Children's Hospital received a top 50 ranking in seven 
medical specialties for pediatric hospitals across the United States 
and was also ranked in the top 10 pediatric hospitals for the southeast 
region.
  This recognition is well deserved. Arkansas Children's provides 
critical and incredibly valuable services to our children and their 
families across our State and the surrounding region.
  This kind of comprehensive care is necessary so that kids and their 
families in our State can reach their full potential and have access to 
the absolute best care possible for every kind of complication that 
life can bring.
  Providing these important services at such a high caliber requires a 
committed and talented team. The staff at Arkansas Children's Hospital 
certainly reflects these values.
  As a former hospital director there and now a Member of Congress, I 
am always proud to highlight their quality pediatric care in our State 
and glad that the exceptional performance of Arkansas Children's 
Hospital is being recognized at a national level.


                       Congratulating Jimmy Moses

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jimmy Moses, who 
was recently honored for his work in downtown Little Rock for Little 
Rock's successful growth, redevelopment, and preservation over his many 
decades of leadership.
  Mr. Moses was featured in Block, Street, & Building magazine as a 
true difference maker, and I can certainly assure you, Mr. Speaker, 
that is understated.
  His family has exemplified values that made our State great for 
generations. They have not only benefited from their deep roots in 
Little Rock, but they have used those talents and love for the area to 
give back. Jimmy Moses is absolutely continuing that longtime Moses 
family tradition.
  Mr. Moses has worked in urban development and planning for years. He 
has worked on projects to restore historic buildings and facilitate 
creative development as our vital central business district of Little 
Rock has grown and changed over the past 40 years.
  Mr. Moses also serves as one of the founders of Moses Tucker 
Partners, a prominent real estate development firm in Little Rock.
  His background, skills, and passion demonstrate why he is so 
deserving of this important recognition. I am proud to recognize him as 
a visionary that has been so clearly dedicated to making our hometown a 
better place.


                Celebrating Earl Smith's 100th Birthday

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Earl 
Smith, who celebrated his 100th birthday on June 10.
  Mr. Smith, an Arkansas native, is a World War II veteran. Drafted at 
19, he served in the Army and the Army Chemical Corps.
  He was also part of the Rhineland campaign and the northern France 
campaign and was awarded two Bronze Stars and a good conduct medal.
  Earl was married to his wife, Eloise, for 57 years. Together, they 
had two children, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and 
one great-great-grandchild.
  Earl is still an active member of the community. He makes sure to 
attend all of his grandchildren's events and holds the longest 
membership in Lifeline Baptist Church. Earl also is the oldest member 
of the Little Rock VFW Post 9095.
  When asked about this remarkable birthday, he said: ``I had no idea I 
would live this long, but every morning when I wake up, I thank the 
good Lord for another day.''
  I thank Mr. Earl Smith for his service to our beloved Nation and 
congratulate him for his 100th birthday.


                         Honoring Dave Peresko

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Dave Peresko.
  Mr. Peresko is a longtime veteran who served our Nation in the 
Vietnam war.
  Continuing his service to our country, Mr. Peresko began working for 
the U.S. Postal Service in Little Rock in 1973. During that work, Mr. 
Peresko was no stranger to any of our community members. His lively and 
kind spirit spread throughout our community, leaving a positive impact 
on everyone he came across.
  Completing over 45 years of service with the post office, Mr. Peresko 
retired from the post office just a few years ago in 2019.
  This very committed Kansas City Chiefs superfan brightened the city 
of

[[Page H3137]]

Little Rock every day in the way he touched people and cared for them 
in his public service.
  We salute Dave in his retirement.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________