Sergeant Dennis Mills Veteran of the Month

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor an extraordinary individual, Sergeant Dennis Mills, as our Veteran of the Month.

Drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 20, Sergeant Mills exemplified bravery and dedication in some of the most difficult conditions imaginable during the Vietnam war. Assigned to the First Reconnaissance Battalion of the 1st Marine Division, he led approximately 40 reconnaissance patrols.

On a day that started as a beautiful morning on April 1, 1970, at Camp Reasoner, tragedy struck when a member of his patrol triggered a landmine.

Despite sustaining severe injuries, Sergeant Mills' courage never wavered. He was medically evacuated after suffering injuries to both legs, his left arm, and receiving shrapnel wounds to his back.

For his valor, Sergeant Mills was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat ``V'' and the Purple Heart.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Sergeant Dennis Mills for his service and his sacrifice for our great Nation. He is a true hero. Small Business of the Month, Energy Transport Solutions

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the Fourth District of Missouri's May Small Business of the Month, Energy Transport Solutions.

ETS is a customer service-focused business. It is run by an industry- experienced family that is proud to have an excellent safety record while getting the job done in Missouri. Energy Transport Solutions has been owned and operated by a father and son duo, Glen and Eric Kolkmeyer, in Bates City, Missouri, since 1955.

ETS specializes in transportation of refined fuels, propane, jet and aviation fuel, and anhydrous ammonia. ETS has been in the propane industry for over 68 years and has continued to be a reliable company to haul our community's products. By the way, they also haul the fuel for the B-2 Stealth bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base.

We are so grateful for Energy Transport Solutions' support as we continue to support them. It is an honor to watch them go out of their way to hire and support veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Energy Transport Solutions on the well- deserved recognition of Small Business of the Month in the Fourth Congressional District of the great State of Missouri. Keep up the great work. President Biden's Ultimatum to Israel

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern over the President's ultimatum to the State of Israel.

Having recently visited Israel on the border with Gaza, I fully grasp the gravity of the situation right now. I witnessed the resolve of the Jewish people. Never have I seen such determination from a country and its people as I have there in the State of Israel. Their resolve is strong. They are resilient and ready to finish the job, bring the hostages home, and eradicate Hamas.

The White House's decision to halt weapons shipments to Israel is wrong, Mr. Speaker. It is just plain wrong. When the going gets tough, you do not abandon friends and allies. They are our greatest ally in the Middle East.

It is unacceptable that Hamas still holds Americans and others hostage. This could be over today, Mr. Speaker, if Hamas would release the hostages and surrender. We must help Israel eradicate Hamas. We must remove them from that region by any force necessary.

I call on the President of the United States and Secretary of Defense Austin to immediately lift the blockade and resume shipments to Israel. The future of the region depends upon it.

There is no excuse for pausing the weapons. It is an attempt to strong-arm Israel. The Biden administration has crossed the line.

Mr. Speaker, I can say with certainty that while the Biden administration does not stand with Israel, the American people do.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source