[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4957-H4958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
                    THANKING STATION 9 FIREFIGHTERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (C. Scott Franklin of Florida). The Chair 
recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the firefighters of 
Station 9 in west Little Rock, Arkansas, for their selfless service 
during the horrific tornado that struck our city and region in March.
  The firefighters of Station 9 were standing in their building when it 
was directly hit by the tornado, completely destroying it.
  Despite their fire station being in ruins, they immediately got to 
work clearing debris, providing emergency assistance, and serving as an 
important beacon of hope for those in need in that neighborhood.
  Their tremendous efforts were a critical component in helping my 
hometown recover from one of the worst storms in recent history.
  I am proud to honor the brave firefighters for their dedicated work 
in the face of destruction and ruin. Their service stands as a model of 
resilience and strength for our entire State and Nation.


                       Recognizing Heide Harrell

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my good friend, 
Heide

[[Page H4958]]

Harrell, on being a recipient of the Public Relations Society of 
America, Arkansas Chapter's 2023 Crystal Award.
  Heide and I worked together at Arkansas-based Delta Trust and Banking 
Corporation, a Little Rock-based banking, trust, and investment 
company, where she was the communications and marketing officer.
  Today, she serves as the vice president and communications director 
at Stephens, one of the largest privately held independent investment 
firms off Wall Street.
  Just a few years ago, Heide was selected as an honoree in the 27th 
class of Arkansas Business 40 Under 40.
  Heide is truly an inspiration to all through her hard work and 
leadership. Mr. Speaker, I thank Heide for being a great friend and a 
creative force for good across our community.


                       Recognizing Madison Murphy

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a longtime friend 
and a terrific civic leader in our State, Madison Murphy, on the 
occasion of Highway 167 from El Dorado to Little Rock being dedicated 
in his honor.
  Madison has been an inspiration to all Arkansans for many years and 
has received numerous awards and recognition for his work throughout 
the State.
  He has been named to the Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 list and named 
Arkansas' Tourism Person of the Year for his financial support and 
inspiration in the creation of the Murphy Arts District in El Dorado.
  Madison has also served as chairman of the Arkansas Highway 
Commission from 2003 to 2013, where he championed the widening of the 
Highway 167 corridor to provide a four-lane connection between south 
and central Arkansas, improving roadway safety, mobility, and transit.
  Throughout his leadership as chairman, a temporary half-cent sales 
tax was implemented that funded 31 highway widening projects to improve 
connectivity across the State.
  I applaud Mr. Murphy for his leadership and service to the State of 
Arkansas and congratulate him on this recognition.


                     Control Deficits and Spending

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, last Saturday, this House--all the Democrats 
and 31 Republicans--rejected a stopgap spending measure, which would 
have lowered spending for the 4 weeks of the continuing resolution 
period; secured the border with important needs, a critical element 
that every day we see and hear from our constituents; and established a 
commission to tackle the biggest challenge this House and this Nation 
has, which is that 70 percent of our spending, Mr. Speaker, is not 
voted on on this House floor. It is on autopilot--mandatory spending.
  These mandatory spending programs require bipartisan attention to 
reform them. We can keep the promises made to the American people on 
Social Security and Medicare, but we need to get our fiscal house in 
order.
  I support that commission, and I was so disappointed that 31 
Republicans joined the Democrats to reject it.
  Now, in this period of 45 days, as we continue to look for the most 
conservative spending policies that we can achieve across this House 
floor and in the Senate, let's be committed that we will have a 
bipartisan commission on debt and deficit and get this spending and 
these deficits under control.

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