Recognizing the Boone and Church Band

Floor Speech

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize four members of the Boone and Church Band, who recently won the 95th Annual Future Farmers of America (FFA) National Convention Talent Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Jaxton Boone, Ethan Church, Eli Church, and Walker Boone performed before a crowd of 62,000 at the convention and came away with a resounding victory, and they were the only applicants from North Carolina.

What is most impressive, Mr. Speaker, is the backgrounds of these young men. Eli, Ethan, and Jaxton are all current high school students, and Walker is a full-time college student.

Two others associated with the Boone and Church Band deserve recognition: Colton Boone, another recent high school graduate balancing college courses with a full-time job, and Lynn Church, a father who manages the group.

The six-member group has traveled across western North Carolina since 2016 and has performed at church services, fairs, and even festivals.

Mr. Speaker, I had the great fortune of hearing them this weekend at the Avery County Historical Museum, and I saw firsthand how great they are. While they make beautiful music, they also really enjoy themselves as they perform. It was so uplifting to be there to see that.

Their caliber of talent is awe-inspiring, Mr. Speaker. Based on the variety of songs that they perform, they use 10 different instruments, such as a banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and piano, to name a few.

Together, they blend a variety of music styles, including bluegrass and southern gospel. But what is truly magnificent, aside from their wonderful talents, is how these musicians live the truth found within the gospel every single day. The lives they lead and their relationship with God is directly reflected in the music they share with so many people.

Truly, they are a shining example of what makes western North Carolina so great.

Congratulations, again, to the Boone and Church Band on this wonderful accomplishment.

May God continue to bless them and their great work. Save Franchisees

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, the Biden administration's destructive regulatory agenda is jeopardizing the franchise model. President Biden will stop at nothing to advance big labor's agenda, even if it means harming workers. The Biden administration is working overtime to shove as many workers as possible into unions, regardless of worker preference.

The Biden administration's proposed joint employer rule will fundamentally destroy the franchise model by taking autonomy away from individual franchise owners, depriving them of the ability to run their own businesses.

Being able to own a franchise business, like a fast-food restaurant, is a ticket to the American Dream, especially for women and minorities.

Americans who invested their time and energy into building a business do not deserve to have it snatched away all because President Biden wants to appease big labor.

To save the American Dream for these businessowners and promote better opportunities for our entire workforce, Republicans will oppose this dangerous power grab. Instead, we will support policies that put workers and job creators first.

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