[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                              {time}  1045
             IN RECOGNITION OF THE SEPTEMBER 11 ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CISCOMANI. Madam Speaker, I rise today on the solemn anniversary 
of the most tragic day in modern American history, the September 11 
attacks.
  Our Nation was deliberately attacked 23 years ago by al-Qaida 
terrorists, killing almost 3,000 Americans and injuring countless more 
in the worst attack against our homeland in American history.
  On this day, let us honor the memories of the fallen and stand with 
the friends and families of those who perished. May their memories 
always be a blessing.
  Let us also commend the courage of the first responders and emergency 
personnel who put themselves in harm's way to help the victims. While 
others ran to safety, these individuals braved smoke and fire in 
service to their fellow Americans, sometimes paying the ultimate 
sacrifice while in the line of duty.
  While the terrorists hoped this brazen attack would break America's 
resolve, they were dead wrong. In the days and months following 9/11, 
our Nation came together with a renewed sense of fortitude, unity, and 
determination. It sparked an enduring sense of resilience that carried 
us through the darkest hour and emboldened us to hold those responsible 
accountable.
  May God bless America.


                       Fentanyl Crisis in Arizona

  Mr. CISCOMANI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to shine a light on the 
destructive surge and scourge of fentanyl, which is poisoning 
communities in my district and across the Nation. Across America, 
countless lives have been lost, and too many families have felt the 
pain of losing a loved one.
  In May, I hosted Members of the Judiciary Committee for a field 
hearing in my district. We heard from Jill Fagan Alexander, a mother 
who has tragically lost not only one, but two children to the fentanyl 
crisis, Sam and Gabe. Tragically, these are only two of the many lives 
lost to the poison at the hands of the Mexican drug cartels and the 
Chinese Communist Party.
  Amid the ongoing border crisis, the amount of fentanyl entering our 
country has spiked to record levels, endangering citizens across the 
Nation. In Arizona, the cost of this epidemic ballooned to over $58 
billion in 2023, accounting for the cost of hospitals, public services, 
law enforcement officers, and the loss of quality of life and 
productivity of those suffering from this addiction.
  Just this week, this body passed H.R. 8663, the DETECT Fentanyl and 
Xylazine Act. This would authorize DHS to test and develop more 
technology to better detect these deadly drugs. However, we must do 
more.
  I stand willing and ready to work with any of my colleagues who want 
to find solutions to solve this crisis. The stakes could not be 
clearer. One pill can kill. We must do more to fight the spread of 
fentanyl to ensure the safety of our citizens and our communities.


                  Rural Pharmacies Closing in Arizona

  Mr. CISCOMANI. Madam Speaker, I rise today with the grave concerns 
over the continued reports of pharmacies closing in rural communities 
across my district.
  I was notified by a constituent recently that two independent 
pharmacies in Willcox and Benson will soon close, citing the 
constrictive practices of pharmacy benefit managers. Local independent 
pharmacies are critical to rural communities as they are often the only 
medical provider for hundreds of miles, especially in light of the vast 
consolidation of large pharmacies buying up smaller ones.
  We must stand for independent practices that serve our local 
communities. As we speak, this becomes a rural access health crisis, 
forcing residents of those communities to travel long distances to 
receive the medication and medical services that they need. This not 
only places an undue burden on those with limited resources and 
mobility, but it also increases their risk of delayed treatments and 
worsened health outcomes, leaving rural communities vulnerable and 
underserved.
  It is critical that we address this growing problem now and support 
our rural pharmacies to ensure that all individuals, regardless of 
where they live, have access to the healthcare that they deserve.

                          ____________________