On the recordFebruary 5, 2020
I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time and for her leadership and willingness to give time on this very important bill. I thank my colleagues, Congressman Greg Murphy and Congressman Mark Meadows, for advancing this bill. I remember how well-connected they were to Walter B. Jones, Jr.--both of them--and I thank them for this legislation. It is my honor to join with Congressman Greg Murphy in cosponsoring this legislation, and so I support H.R. 5037. Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr., was a devoted man of great faith. He was my personal friend, Mr. Speaker, for more than 40 years. My colleagues will recall that, as Walter was beginning to decline in health, he was unable to come to the floor to have the oath of office administered to him, and Walter asked that I come to his home. The Speaker of the House authorized me to do so, and I went to his living room that day and administered the final oath of office to him. He was so appreciative, and we had a wonderful conversation that I shall never ever forget. Walter Jones was a lifetime public servant, serving in the National Guard for 4 years, in our general assembly for 10 years, and here in Congress for 24 long years as Representative of the Third Congressional District. Since I joined Congress in 2004, I watched Walter cast many difficult votes with conviction. I would sit right here to my left, and Walter would come by and, in his own way, he would say, ``Mr.…
