[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF DAVID LEE IRELAND

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of 
Mr. David Lee Ireland.
  David died on September 17 following a long battle with cancer. He 
spent his professional life protecting and serving the people of Iowa 
as a police officer in the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
  When he was not working, he was collecting antique Model T 
memorabilia or enjoying the outdoors with his wife, canoeing on the 
Mississippi River.
  David was also a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts, achieving the 
rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts, and eventually 
seeing both of his sons achieve the same rank.
  He later served as Scoutmaster for Troop 30 in Montrose, Iowa, where 
he proudly taught these young boys essential life values, such as hard 
work, love of the outdoors, self-reliance, and commitment.
  He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, and his two sons, Matthew and 
Shawn.
  Let us not despair in the loss of this great man, but, rather, praise 
God for sending David here to make the world a better place.


                           Reckless Policies

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the Biden-
Harris administration border crisis that has plagued our Nation for 
over 3 years.
  Under the failed leadership of President Biden and his border czar 
Kamala Harris, we have witnessed the worst border crisis in American 
history, with over 10 million illegal immigrants having crossed our 
border, while nearly 300,000 unaccompanied children are left 
unaccounted for and at risk of trafficking and exploitation.
  The horror doesn't stop there. Fentanyl, the poison that has claimed 
over 200,000 American lives, flows unchecked across our border, with 
over 2,000 pounds seized each month.
  This administration's negligence has created a perfect storm for 
crime, with a shocking 52,058 arrests of illegal immigrants with 
criminal backgrounds, a staggering 130 percent increase since President 
Trump was in office.
  Biden and Harris have failed us. Their reckless policies are 
jeopardizing our children and communities. It is time for a return to a 
strong border security, time to hold them accountable and assure that 
every child is safe, every community is secure, and every American life 
matters.


     In Recognition of the Eighth Annual National Clean Energy Week

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the eighth 
annual National Clean Energy Week.
  As chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus and a Representative of 
Iowa, where 59 percent of our net energy generation comes from wind 
turbines, I am proud to highlight our State's leadership in harnessing 
renewable energy, and wind isn't the only type of renewable energy we 
have.
  We show how emissions can responsibly be reduced without sacrificing 
reliable energy production by tapping into our abundant resources, like 
wind, ethanol, biodiesel, manure, and hydro. Investing in innovation, 
we have strengthened our energy independence, created good-paying jobs, 
and kept energy costs low for families and businesses alike.
  This is what responsible, forward-thinking energy policy looks like, 
driven by innovation, not government mandates.
  National Clean Energy Week reminds us that we can secure a cleaner, 
healthier planet through practical, market-driven solutions that work 
for our economy, not against us.
  We must continue to support innovation that grows our economy, meets 
our energy needs, keeps our energy costs down, and respects the 
hardworking people that depend on affordable, reliable energy.
  Cleaner energy, more innovation, and a stronger economy is the path 
forward.


             Americans Deserve Better Than Failed Policies

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the 
disastrous impact Kamala Harris and Joe Biden have had on our economy.
  Inflation has risen as high as 20.2 percent. Eggs are up 46.8 
percent. Gas is up 49.9 percent. Bread is up 24.3 percent. Sugar is up 
31.4 percent. The list goes on and on.
  In just the past year, 1.2 million U.S.-born citizens lost their jobs 
to illegal aliens crossing our wide-open southern border. Everyday 
essentials, from food to fuel, have seen outrageous price hikes.
  Families in Iowa are paying over $13,000 more annually just to get 
by. Real wages have plummeted. Interest rates are at a 23-year high. 
Credit card debt has now surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, and 
our national debt has crossed $35 trillion.
  Instead of finding practical solutions, this administration thinks 
the solution is to print more money and to spend more by the 
government. The American people deserve better than Kamala Harris and 
Joe Biden's failed policies.

                              {time}  1215


   Recognizing 1-Year Anniversary of Hamas Terrorist Attack on Israel

  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
upcoming 1-year anniversary of the heinous Hamas terrorist attack on 
Israel on October 7, 2023.
  On that fateful day, Hamas terrorists launched inhumane and barbaric 
attacks on Israeli civilians by land, air, and sea. The world watched 
in horror as these terrorists slaughtered and burned innocent Israeli 
families in their homes; abducted and killed Americans; murdered over 
200 young people enjoying a music festival; kidnapped innocent people, 
including Holocaust survivors, women, and children; and wounded 
thousands.
  It was, in fact, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the 
Holocaust. The trauma continues to this day as Hamas continues to hold 
hostages, including American citizens.
  In August, I joined Senator Joni Ernst on a congressional trip to 
meet with heads of state to advocate for the release of all hostages in 
Hamas' captivity.
  Hamas' recent murders of six hostages, including American citizen 
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, is yet another tragedy that underscores the 
brutality of this terrorist organization.
  We will continue to forcefully push for the release of all hostages.
  At home, we have seen anti-Semitism rear its ugly head over the past 
year, especially on college campuses. This is unacceptable in America. 
In Congress, we will continue to fight this heinous scourge of anti-
Semitism.
  Mr. Speaker, on this upcoming October 7 anniversary, the United 
States must ensure that Israelis have the tools they need to defend 
their citizens, and I will continue to urge Members of Congress to 
stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish people and the State of 
Israel during their time of need.

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