Joys and Concerns

Floor Speech

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Mr. ELLZEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, as you know, from time to time I address the House floor with my version of a speech that my childhood pastor would give every Sunday called ``Joys and Concerns.''

During his remarks, he would highlight some of the remarkable things that members of the church were doing and some of their many accomplishments.

He would also take this time to bring up prayer requests. It served as an opportunity to unite as a congregation and pray for our community and those in need.

Today, the community that instilled this tradition in me needs our prayers as last Thursday, my childhood home, Perryton, Texas, was hit by a deadly tornado.

In the 11 minutes the tornado was on the ground, it left three dead, hundreds injured, and hundreds of homes destroyed.

My office obviously has received an outpouring of prayer requests, both over the phone and through my website for the people of Perryton.

While it may be different from my usual order, I start this ``Joys and Concerns'' speech with asking everybody to keep Perryton and their people in your hearts and minds and prayers going forward.

I also ask that as weeks go on that you continue to keep them, along with the first responders, community leaders, and volunteers, in your prayers.

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to Hillsboro, Texas, a city in my new district. I learned a lot about Hillsboro while I was there.

It is a very welcoming community, full of people who love their country, so much so that the local community college, Hill College, has on its campus the Texas Heritage Museum.

Out front is a small memorial, and during my visit, I spent some time there. On that memorial, they honor every Medal of Honor recipient from Texas.

The Medal of Honor is the Nation's highest military award, and only U.S. servicemembers who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty can receive the medal.

There I learned that the Sixth Congressional District of Texas in its current form has nine Medal of Honor recipients.

Due to time constraints, I will only address one today, but we have nine of them--nine Medal of Honor recipients from the Sixth District of Texas. On my next occasion, I will reach the other eight.

The first I bring up is First Lieutenant Jack Lummus. He was born on October 22, 1915, and served our Nation during World War II.

A little known fact is he couldn't graduate from high school because the cost was too high. He played some semi-pro ball. He finally went to Baylor and was an all-star baseball player and football player there.

He was playing professional football when December 7 happened, and he signed up to join our Nation's military. Ironically, he was attempting to be a pilot and in flight training was a natural pilot. On taxiing back, he ran his airplane off the taxiway. They booted him. He went back to playing football, but he signed up to be a marine.

Jack received the Medal of Honor as a leader of a rival platoon attached to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on March 8, 1945.

Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for 2 days and nights, he slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions.

Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward in his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position.

Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself, and again, moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked, and destroyed the occupied emplacement.

Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of his supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade.

Courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, he staunchly continued his heroic one-man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants.

Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks and placing suppressive fire against hostile troops.

Jack lost both legs and lost his life on Iwo Jima, a man with a great deal of promise. He is interred in Ennis, Texas, and he is a local hero.

The greatness of America comes from her people, and the best of us are men like Jack Lummus. Next time I talk, I will talk about the other eight.

As we talk about divisiveness and bad times in our country, I want you to know that we have great Americans--and have throughout our history--serving us in times of war and making us the great Nation that we are.

All we ask when we fight for another Nation overseas is a small plot of land to bury our dead. This is a debt we owe not only to those who have fallen in battle but to all those who choose to serve on our Nation's volunteer force.

As the years go on and our Nation grows, we must continue to ask the best of us to make sacrifices to protect and defend the United States.

My district is home to 30 different high schools, and within those 30 schools, there were 134 brave young men and women who raised their hands and said, here am I. Send me.

Within the coming months, they will be joining our Nation's military, and I take a moment to recognize their sacrifice.

Mildred High School: Kolton Sumrall, Army; Charlie Vega, Army; Bryan Morgan, Army; Lincoln Kerr, Navy.

Corsicana High School: Michael Dunn, Marine Corps; Frankie Medrano, Marine Corps; Ionart Sorim, Marine Corps; Diego Rodriguez and Bryan Monge, Marine Corps.

Cayuga High School: Garret Fitzpatrick, Army.

Fairfield High School: Noe Espinoza, Army; Tristen Stephenson, Army.

Whitney High School: Desire' Hamling, Marine Corps.

Frost High School: Jacen Stanford, Army.

Arlington Sam Houston High School: Dillon Nichols, Army; Devin Moreno, Alan Najera, and Armando Rafael Hinojosa, Marine Corps.

Slocum High School: Camron Clark, Marine Corps.

Palmer High School: Haley Thomas, Army National Guard.

Covington High School: Mia Napps, Air Force; Colin Berry, Army; Calob Smith, Air Force.

Grandview High School: Dean Ryder Williams, Navy.

Wells High School: Jeremiah Lewis, Marine Corps.

Jacksonville High School: Elijah Danforth, Angel De Le Luz, and Joshua Gaytan, Marine Corps.

Elkhart High School: Nicholas Goodrich and Ashlyn Wilson, Navy; Tara Herod, Air Force.

Midlothian High School: Nolan Rhew, Navy; Shaun Dean and Rome Hernandez, Marine Corps; Ty Long, Army; Jacob Regalado and Cayden Rollins, Marine Corps; Ryan Schrank, Navy; Kyler Sickler, Army; Joshua Wyman, Texas Air National Guard; Samantha Zuckero, Army National Guard.

Neches High School: Jason Bammel and Trevor Pulliam, Marine Corps.

Rice High School: Diego Barcenas Mora, Marine Corps.

Maypearl High School: Benjamin McGlauflin, Marine Corps; Adam Bell, Navy; Zechariah Mitchell, Texas National Guard; Langston Watson, Coast Guard.

Waxahachie High School: Elijah Jaquan Wheaton, Cherilyn Desirae Romano, Abigail Faith Modgling, and Jorge Alberto Vargas Ponce, Marine Corps; Faith Nicole Powers and Kaylee Nicole Voigtlander, Army.

Rusk High School: Kiera Beck, Marine Corps; Matthew Plata, Marine Corps; Aaron Wilde, Air Force.

Westwood High School: Ayden Coker, Marine Corps Reserve; Emilio Martinez, Army National Guard; Nathan Powell, Army National Guard; Jazzmin Gante, Navy; and Diego Castillo, Navy.

Arlington High School: James Webb, Army; Alonso Robles, Austin McGee, and Abraham Vela, all three Marine Corps.

Henry Suggs, Army, from Frankston High School.

Alvarado High School: Trapper Peel, Air Force; Jaxen Cheek and Trey Reuland, Army; Andres Sanchez, Marine Corps; Dylan Brown, Army.

Venus High School: Eduardo Gabriel Acre Perez and Dontea Lamont Rising, both in the Army.

Hillsboro High School: Leonardo Lopez Hernandez, Marine Corps Reserve; Gabriel Pineda, Marine Corps Reserve; and Alejandro Sanchez, Marine Corps Reserve.

Waxahachie High School: Brandon Ortiz, Marine Corps; Garrison Escobar, Marine Corps; Karolina Suarez Melendez, National Guard; Caezar Santiago, Air Force; Gregory Schaefer, Williams Jayden, Gregory Fleming, Zachary Fleming, Army; Jeremiah Moore, Navy; Michael Newkirk, Navy; Samuel Rodriguez, Army National Guard.

Midlothian Heritage High School: Jack Hammon, Texas Army National Guard; Emily Dewey, Air Force; Patrick Hoekstra, Army; Jose Mancera, Navy; Baron Cantrell, Navy; Chase Wiese, Navy.

Waxahachie Global: Matthew Hughes and Braxton Soukup, Army.

Mansfield Legacy High School: Jessica Rosalez, Navy.

Mansfield Lake Ridge: Gerardo Carbajal, Marines; Caden Chandler, Air Force; Ashlee Ojo, Navy; Desmond Jones, Army; Andre Boyd, Marine Corps; Tyler Beller, Marine Corps; Carter Bustos, Marine Corps; Kiesean Cook, Navy; Logan Fortenbery, Marine Corps; Kyrianna Harris, Navy; Anne Oyerinde, Army National Guard, along with her friends Dayana Quijano and Sierra Santiago; Linnea Swanson, Air Force; and Kamille Todd, Army.

Mansfield Timberview High School: Jamia Major, National Guard; Jaimez Eichelberger, Navy; Danielle Rhymes and Shelby Balossa, Air Force; Elenna Ponce, Navy; Nikolas Sanchez, Army.

Mansfield Summit: Dyneaya Thomas, Air Force; Achilles Lopez, Air Force; Adrian Contreras, Marine Corps; Clifton Kersenbrock, Marine Corps; Alexa Martinez, Army National Guard; Mia Wilson, Air Force.

For Mansfield High School: Justin Ware, Air Force; Zachariah Castillo, Navy; Leila Egleston, Marine Corps; Evan Esquivel, Marine Corps; Jonathan May, Army; Braylon Mitchell, Navy; Shaun Nguyen, Air Force; Brielle Pickering, Marine Corps.

Madam Speaker, if anybody has any questions about the future of our Nation, 134 young men and women from District Six just this year enlisted to serve this greatest Nation that has been seen on the face of this Earth.

Occasionally, some people will tear this Nation down for what she stood for, her past, her future. For me, why would anybody sign up in an all-volunteer force if we were anything but exceptional?

I am so very proud of these young men and women in this day and age when we hear nothing in the press except the dire straits that this country is in. Well, somebody believes in it, and these 134 people certainly do, along with the 31 people who applied to the military academies. I will say to them all: I am very proud, and our future is bright. Don't listen to any of the naysayers.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 says there is nothing new under the Sun. Jeremiah 29 says only I know the plans I have for you, and they are great plans.

Next, I recognize some of the members of our community that have gone above and beyond.

I congratulate Aiden Hunter on being selected to represent Texas 4-H at the National 4-H Conference this year. Agriculture and farming are the backbone of this great Nation, and I am proud that he is involved in Ellis County 4-H. Organizations like this are helping to prepare Aiden to be a future leader not only in agriculture but in life.

I congratulate Alyssa Anderson on achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award. There are few accomplishments that carry as much prestige and respect as this honor. The commitment, tenacity, integrity, and work ethic that are required to achieve the Gold Award are invaluable qualities.

I congratulate Amy Tidwell and the Corsicana Main Street team on being awarded the President's Award and People's Choice Award for cities under 50,000 population by Texas Downtown for their video series ``New Faces, New Places.'' Departments like theirs are essential to downtown development and revitalization, and I thank Amy and her team for their commitment to serve our community.

I congratulate Archie Gerbine on receiving the Donnie and Karen Pickard Heroism Award. I thank Archie for not only choosing to preserve, protect, and defend the people of Alvarado but also for taking on the important role of community leader, role model, and servant to others. I thank Archie for his continued dedication to the city of Alvarado and the State of Texas as a first responder.

I congratulate Ashley Thompson on being awarded the Unsung Hero Award from the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce for 2022.

I congratulate the 2023 Maypearl Panther baseball team for their third-place finish in State, and I congratulate them for breaking the school record for total wins and finishing their season with a trip to Round Rock for the State tournament.

I congratulate Becky and Terry Hill on earning the Mabel Frame Award from the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce. I thank them for their commitment to serve our community. Our community is lucky to have people like them who have dedicated time to an event that welcomes so many people. C/10s in the Park has become one of Waxahachie's prized tourist attractions and is well deserving of the Mabel Frame Award.

I congratulate Cassie Wilbur on being awarded the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at UT Health Jacksonville. This award is a tribute to Cassie's courageous and selfless acts working in healthcare. I truly appreciate all the work Cassie does in the ER, saving lives in the Jacksonville community.

I congratulate Catarina Palladio on earning first place all around at the USAG Region 3 Level 8 championship in the Junior C division. Her commitment and dedication to her sport have been shown through her recent success at the competition. It can't be easy being a full-time gymnast and remaining a straight-A student, but her work ethic is ensuring her bright future.

I commend Dale Linebaugh for his receipt of the Anderson County Sheriff's Office Life-Saving Award and his immediate response to help those in need.

I congratulate David Joseph on earning the Earhart Award with the Civil Air Patrol. All of his hard work and dedication are a reflection of this prestigious award. I commend David on all of his achievements thus far in the Civil Air Patrol, 4-H, and archery.

I congratulate Dylan Starkey on having his book ``Powers'' published. It is always exciting to hear about the talented young students in our community that commit time and dedication to leaving a positive impact on their city for many years to come.

I congratulate Eli Bierman on winning the State championship in wrestling at the 132-weight class. That is an incredible accomplishment. Eli's hard work, hours of practice, and devotion to his sport are reflected in his success.

I congratulate Elizabeth Norwood on her livestock entries winning Supreme Champion Heifer, Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer, and fifth Overall Market Steer honors at the Arizona National Livestock Show. That is an incredible achievement, and I think Elizabeth should be providing beef for our entire Nation with that kind of award.

I congratulate Officer Jack Daniel on beginning his career with the Hillsboro Police Department as an officer. Our community is very fortunate to have Officer Daniel take on this role, and the citizens of Hill County will benefit as he continues to progress in his law enforcement career.

I congratulate Jerrilyn Bowman on receiving the Anderson County Sheriff's Office Life-Saving Award. Her quick thinking, training, and calm reaction saved a life, and that is something she should be proud of.

I congratulate Julianna Dublin and Julia Burnham on achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award.

I congratulate Kaden Lyles on earning the General Billy Mitchell Award for the Civil Air Patrol. All of Kaden's hard work and dedication are a reflection of this prestigious award. The time and commitment Kaden has put into this award is truly commendable.

I congratulate Karen Koop on being awarded the Texas Governor Beauford Jester Award this year by the Texas Veterans Day Parade Committee. This honor recognizes Karen's selfless commitment to community and veterans and will have a lasting impact for years to come.

I congratulate Karson Tompkins on winning the State championship in wrestling in the 190-weight class. That is an incredible accomplishment.

I congratulate Kendyl Wilson on winning first place with her submission to the Texas Rural Education Association's art contest.

I congratulate Kim Boales on being awarded the James Acree Award this year by the Texas Veterans Day Parade Committee.

I congratulate Kimberly Cantu and Mansfield ISD on being named to Forbes' list of America's Best Midsize Employers. Being recognized on a national level is an amazing accomplishment. I thank Kimberly for her commitment to Mansfield ISD.

Madam Speaker, I have more folks that I would like to point out, but I am short on time today. I will leave you with this: We have some incredible citizens in District Six. I am incredibly proud to serve them.

Madam Speaker--you also being from Texas--I love my State, and I love my district as you do, as well. It is a tremendous privilege to be able to announce these folks on the floor and honor them in the way that they deserve.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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