Illegal Immigrants First, Americans Last

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROSE. Madam Speaker, when a Federal judge struck down the Centers for Disease Control's 15-day extension of the mask mandate on public transportation, Americans celebrated this action as a welcome win for freedom. This decision was long overdue and was welcomed by almost everyone, except those in the Biden administration who immediately announced they would be appealing this decision.

After hearing this announcement, I was perplexed. After all, President Biden had just recently announced that he would be lifting pandemic restrictions on our southern border by rescinding title 42 enforcement. The American people got the message loud and clear: illegal immigrants first, Americans last.

Madam Speaker, 2.4 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the border since President Biden took office, 221,303 just in the month of March of this year. This is all before President Biden announced title 42 would be rescinded, which is sure to lead to an even larger influx of illegal immigrants as we wait to see the April numbers from Border Patrol.

Madam Speaker, it is past time to put the politics aside and put this country first. We must secure our border by finishing the wall and enforcing our laws. I urge President Biden to reverse his decision to rescind title 42 and put America First. Recognizing Mrs. Opal Bohannon

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Mr. ROSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Opal Bohannon as she celebrates 95 years of life. She is a beloved mother, grandmother, Cookeville native, and one of the best cooks in all of Tennessee. Mrs. Bohannon made her entire State proud when she was named the ``world's grand champion down-home beef stew chef'' at the Music and Molasses Festival in 2007.

Opal is the oldest of 10 children. She learned how to cook by helping her mother in the kitchen, as so many do, and she got good at it. Her beef stew not only won awards, but it was also a dinnertime staple in her family for more than 60 years. Mrs. Bohannon went on to hone those cooking skills by working in the Cookeville High School cafeteria for 15 years before retiring in 1989. Her culinary gifts were featured in the Tennessee Home and Farm magazine and even recognized by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2008.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Bohannon exemplified what it means to have a servant's heart. She regularly brought her blue-ribbon stew to friends, neighbors, and church potluck dinners for guests to enjoy. She frequently volunteered for the Putnam County Fair. While she spent countless hours in the kitchen, it is clear her real talent in life has been bringing joy to others.

Madam Speaker, I hope Mrs. Bohannon has a great 95th birthday and many more great years to come.

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