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[Pages H772-H773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING MILKEN EDUCATOR AWARD RECIPIENT MELISSA FIKE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler) for 5 minutes.
Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, the prestigious Milken Educator Awards
have been called the Oscars of teaching. I rise today to pay tribute to
a resident of Missouri's Fourth District who was recently honored as
one of the Milken Family Foundation's outstanding educators.
Melissa Fike of Oakland Middle School of Columbia, Missouri, has
taught for 14 years and was not told ahead of time about her award. She
was shocked to hear her name announced during a recent school assembly
packed by Oakland Middle School students and staff.
As a winner, she receives an award, the recognition of her
colleagues, and a check for $25,000.
Teachers make an indelible mark on the lives of young people through
their kind words, encouraging smiles, impartation of knowledge, or by
helping
[[Page H773]]
plant a seed that bears fruit in future years. Melissa Fike has
distinguished herself and made an impact that will be felt for years to
come.
Madam Speaker, I want to commend Melissa Fike on her great work
making a difference in the lives of so many young people and
congratulate her on this prestigious award.
Recognizing Morris Burger, Former President and CEO of Burgers'
Smokehouse
Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, it is with great joy that I share news
of Morris Burger, former president and CEO of Burgers' Smokehouse of
California, Missouri, being inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of
Fame.
After serving his country in the Army, Morris returned home to run
the family business with the goal of producing the finest cured ham in
the country. The business was extremely successful and expanded
numerous times over recent decades to the point that its business
orders now exceed 500,000 hams and tens of thousands of pounds of
bacon, sausage, and specialty meats each year.
Morris retired in the 1990s, and the business is now run by the third
and fourth generations of Burger family members.
Morris Burger has left a legacy to be proud of as Burgers' Smokehouse
continues to epitomize quality, taste, and innovation, while playing an
active role in the community and remaining an influential leader in the
industry.
Congratulations, Morris Burger, for being inducted into the Meat
Industry Hall of Fame, a well-deserved honor.
Stop Drug Smuggling By Filling the Tunnels ASAP
Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, last week, our U.S. Customs and Border
Patrol agents announced the discovery of a highly sophisticated,
illegal, 4,309-foot cross-border tunnel from Mexico into California
built by the drug cartels.
Unfortunately, while the tunnel was first found in August of 2019, it
will still take several months to close the tunnel as the agency
completes a mandatory environmental review and a lengthy contractor
bidding process.
In October of 2018, I visited the southern border and heard directly
from Customs and Border Patrol agents in Arizona, and I heard a similar
story.
The process of closing drug tunnels is arduous and time-consuming. It
often takes 3 to 4 months to abate this threat. That is unacceptable.
Last year, I introduced H.R. 3968, the Eradicate Crossing of Illegal
Tunnels Act, to address these problems.
This bill expedites the approval process by removing the unnecessary
red tape currently preventing our CBP agents from addressing this
critical vulnerability. It allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to
waive the environmental review and for indefinite contracts to be
secured so drug tunnels can be filled in a timely manner.
We need to ensure our Border Patrol agents have the tools necessary
to efficiently and effectively remove illegal access into our country,
hurting our community with illegal drugs. It is time to pass this
crucial legislation, and I call on my colleagues to support my bill.
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