Making Our Military Great Again
Floor Speech
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Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend Mr. Rose for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my unwavering support for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.
We must ensure our Nation's military remains the greatest force for freedom and stability the world has ever known, and this year's NDAA does just that.
At this very moment, our Nation faces numerous threats from the growing aggression from China and Russia to the persistent menace of terrorism. It is imperative that we ensure our military is provided the resources and support they need to defend our interests and keep Americans secure.
The fiscal year 2025 NDAA authorizes $895 billion in defense spending to support our military's critical missions, enabling us to modernize our Nation's capabilities. From upgrading our naval and air power to investing in cutting-edge technologies, we will remain superior against our adversaries.
Missouri's Fourth Congressional District will receive major wins in this legislation, wins that we have fought hard for on the Armed Services Committee. Whiteman Air Force Base in Fort Leonard Wood will receive a combined total of $139.5 million for fueling facilities and advanced individual training barracks.
There will be expanded access to childcare for Missouri's military families and to programs that help military spouses attain and retain employment.
We are ecstatic to announce a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5 percent pay raise for all other servicemembers.
This legislation isn't just about numbers. It is about the values that we hold dear as Americans. It is about our commitment to freedom, to justice, and the protection of our citizens.
Mr. Speaker, this year's NDAA embodied our unwavering commitment to America's military excellence, reflecting the values that have always made our Nation strong. We are prioritizing the well-being of our military families, bolstering the readiness of our Armed Forces, and fortifying our national security.
To truly restore our military's lethal edge, we have to purge the radical, woke ideologies that are being forced on our servicemen and - women, infiltrating our ranks.
These divisive concepts have plagued our military and are undermining our elite cohesion and combat effectiveness.
That is why this year's NDAA will take bold action: Number one, banning life-altering transgender medical treatments for minors; prohibiting the toxic spread of critical race theory; dismantling the bloated DEI bureaucracy; blocking a misguided military Green New Deal; and countering anti-Semitism.
By eliminating these destructive influences, we are reclaiming our military's focus on its core mission: defending Americans and their interests.
Mr. Speaker, as you saw today, this is not a bipartisan bill. This is an American bill.
We are not just funding the military, we are improving the lives of those who protect us every day.
By passing the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, we have sent a clear message to our adversaries: America will not be intimidated. America will always reign as the greatest nation on Earth. Honoring the Life of Dr. Gene Richardson
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Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an extraordinary man, Dr. Gene Richardson, a mentor, a friend of mine, and someone who was really like a second father to me. He was a man who had one of the biggest impacts on my life and who is one of the reasons I am standing here today in this very Hall.
Dr. Richardson was a man of remarkable character and compassion. Born in Kennett, down in the bootheel of Missouri, he embodied the values of hard work, faith, and service from a very young age.
Growing up as the youngest of five children, Dr. Richardson's life was shaped by his parents, Irl, who was a Baptist pastor, and his mother, Pearl, who was a dedicated homemaker. Gene excelled in both academics and athletics, all while running his own newspaper franchise.
After earning his bachelor's degree in biology and graduating from Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Richardson embarked on a journey that would impact countless lives. At just 26, he established a family practice down in Sanderson, Texas, becoming the sole doctor for an entire rural county.
When his calling led him to radiology, he brought innovation to the field, cofounding a mobile nuclear medicine company that brought advanced care to underserved hospitals across the country.
Mr. Speaker, Dr. Gene Richardson's service didn't stop at our borders. He founded the Ultrasound Fund for Latin America, providing equipment and training to small hospitals in Mexico, and he was very proud that he learned Spanish during that time.
He later joined medical missions to Guatemala, walking miles through remote areas to deliver lifesaving care. His legacy of compassion crossed continents, touching lives in profound ways.
Beyond his professional achievements, Gene was a man of deep faith and unshakeable love for his family. Married to his beloved Mary for 65 years, he often reflected on their life together saying: I could not have chosen a more perfect helpmate.
Together they raised two wonderful children, Gene Jr. and Kay, and cherished their three grandchildren.
Gene's passion for life extended to music, travel, and education. He played trumpet in the Baylor marching band and added his rich bass voice to choirs and quartets well into his nineties. He was a good singer. He taught line dancing, and he jitterbugged with youthful enthusiasm.
As a lifelong learner, he traveled the world discovering new cultures and inspiring others to do the same.
In one of his final messages to his family, Gene reminded us of life's greatest gifts: faith, family, and friends. He said: God has given us grace and mercy. Let us use these gifts to enrich our relationships and to serve others.
Dr. Richardson's life was a testament to just that, Mr. Speaker, the power of service, of faith, and of love.
He leaves behind not only his beloved wife, Mary, and their family but also a legacy that will inspire generations.
Mr. Speaker, it is with both joy and gratitude that I honor the life of this extraordinary man.
May we all strive to live as Dr. Gene Richardson did, with generosity, with courage, and with a heart full of adventure.
Dr. Gene Richardson, we will see you in the morning.
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