What Aaron Bean said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Donald ``Don'' David Patchen, a decorated Vietnam veteran, longtime law enforcement officer, and devoted public servant, who passed away on April 21, 2026, at the age of 79.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Master Sergeant Bill Anno for a lifetime of extraordinary public service, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to the citizens of Nassau County and the United States of America.”

“Supervisor and earning high honors, including: 8th Security Forces Squadron Senior NCO of the Year at Kunsan Air Base in Korea, Shift Chief of the Year at Beale Air Force Base, and Military Volunteer of the Year at Patrick Air Force Base.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Nassau County Sheriff's Office as it celebrates a historic and remarkable milestone: 200 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Northeast Florida.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize someone whose name is not in the headlines, but whose impact has been felt through the Halls of Congress and across America.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel James ``Jim'' Chalkley, Retired, on his nomination and induction into the United States Army Transportation Corps Hall of Fame at Fort Lee, Virginia on July 27, 2026.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Bryan Campbell as he will be sworn in as President of the Rotary Club of Orange Park Sunrise in Clay County, Florida, on June 27, 2026.”

“Mr. Speaker, some people spend a lifetime building a community. Others become the heart of one. In Baker County, Florida, that person was Gedone Raulerson Prachar. Those who knew Gedone often said she never met a stranger.”

“Mr. Speaker, some people dedicate their lives to serving others. Few do so with the distinction, humility, and lasting impact of Colonel Francis ``Len'' Leonard Loving. Today, I rise to honor the life and legacy of this remarkable American, whose service to our Nation, our veterans, and the Northeast Florida community spanned more than six decades.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Stephen C. Duba, Jr. upon his retirement from the United States Navy after 25 years of honorable service to our Nation.”

“Madam Speaker, I thank our chairman for yielding. Taking care of our most vulnerable citizens is what a civilized society does, and it is why Congress created TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.”

“Mr. Speaker, in today's high tech world, there seems to be an app for nearly everything, but when danger strikes there is still only one option. It is called the police, Mr.”

“Madam Speaker, in soccer, the final whistle marks the end of a match, but today, it marks the close of a legendary career. I rise to recognize an extraordinary coach, mentor, and leader from my district, Coach Mike Pickett of St.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the fallen officers of Clay County. There is a moment at every police memorial that always stands out to me. It is the moment when the names are read.”

“Mr. Speaker, northeast Florida has watched smoke rise on the horizon as brush fires burn in Nassau and Clay Counties amid severe drought. In moments like these, communities rely on those who are willing to stand between danger and everything we hold dear.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Constance ``Connie'' Butler. A lifelong resident of Green Cove Springs, Florida, Connie's family roots in Clay County stretch back more than a century.”

“For more than 45 years, Connie devoted her life to nursing, including nearly two decades in geriatric care, followed by service in hospitals across the region, and ultimately with the Florida Department of Health in Clay County.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Vice Admiral Michael Boyle on his retirement. When it comes to leadership in the Navy, Vice Admiral Boyle exemplifies vision, dedication, and integrity.”

“Mr. Speaker, in a world that often feels out of control, marked by anxiety and fear, how do we respond to this chaos? Pastor Chad Weeks reminds us of a simple but powerful answer: faith.”

“Mr. Speaker, we all know why a bicycle can't stand up by itself. It is because it is two tired. We also go through life being too tired sometimes, but for two married veterans in northeast Florida, they are overcoming being too tired because they, Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, we all remember that famous iconic final scene in the movie ``Thelma and Louise,'' two women in a red convertible, pedal down, driving straight off the edge of a cliff.”

“Mr. Speaker, sometimes the best way to preserve the past is to prepare for the future. That is exactly what has happened in Nassau County, Florida. This year, Nassau County will be recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with not one, but two national awards for the American Beach Water and Sewer Conversion Project, earning distinction for both community engagement and innovative financing.”

“Mr. Speaker, we have all been there before, watching a video online, and we pause to ask, is this real or is this fake? What if, Mr. Speaker, there was a way that would tell us instantly?”

“Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Sushaan, Jackson, Avaneesh, and Grishma for their dedication to responsible information sharing and powerful use of technology. Mr. Speaker, the next time someone sees a video and says: Is this real?”

“Mr. Speaker, what does it take to change a city? Sometimes it starts with a cup of soup. Eighty years ago, in Jacksonville, Florida, three businessmen did exactly that.”

“Mr. Speaker, across the world today, brave men and women servicemembers are standing watch, protecting our freedoms, and defending the liberties we all hold dear. Among them is a group of soldiers whose mission is often carried out far away from the spotlight, and they would prefer it that way.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Elijah Biles, a young man whose life was only just beginning. At 22 years old, Elijah had earned his associate degree and was looking ahead with hope and determination toward the future.”

“On February 24, 2026, Elijah was placed in hospice care on Amelia Island, surrounded by loved ones, with his father and mother constantly at his side enduring something no parent should ever have to face.”

“Mr. Speaker, if you want to understand the strength of a community, look at the men and women who quietly built it, not for recognition or reward, but because it was the right thing to do.”

“Mr. Speaker, let's go back to the year 1919. We had just 48 States. World War I had just ended but we called it the Great War because we didn't know there was going to be another.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Moore so much for the time. I appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, it is a new year and with every new year, I like to reflect on where am I going.”

“Mr. Speaker, when your old roof keeps leaking, you can keep adding shingles to it, but eventually you must admit the structure underneath isn't built to weather the storm.”

“Mr. Speaker, some achievements don't just earn applause, they open the door for others. Today, we honor someone who has done just exactly that: Miley Meredith, the first female Eagle Scout in Nassau County, Florida.”

“Madam Speaker, throughout history, Vikings were known as fearless explorers and warriors who never backed down from a challenge. That same spirit lives on in Jacksonville, Florida, where Raines High School Vikings have written their own chapter of triumph by capturing Florida's Class 3A State football championship in dramatic fashion.”

“Madam Speaker, we all know the simple joy of a glass of sweet tea--refreshing, comforting, a lift to the spirit. Teneilia ``Sweet Tee'' Anderson of Fernandina Beach, Florida, brought that same sweetness into every room she entered.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate a milestone that truly brings a smile. This week, Dr. William Stewart Mitchell III of Fleming Island, Florida, marks his 100th birthday, a century defined by faith, family, and devoted service to our Nation.”

“Mr. Chair, I remind the gentlewoman from Michigan that Michigan is such a beautiful State. It has got one of the longest freshwater coastlines of any State. That may be a trivia fact, but no one is going to fight harder for Michigan's environment than the people of Michigan.”

“Mr. Speaker, when a community moves in true harmony, you can hear it before you ever see it. It is the sound of neighbors lifting one another up, volunteers sustaining the arts, and people creating something greater than the sum of its parts.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Walberg for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard the saying: There is no such thing as a free lunch. It turns out mom and dad were right.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the skyrocketing cost of healthcare. When President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, he promised affordable coverage for all. Mr. Speaker, 15 years and trillions of dollars later, all we have gotten is higher costs and less coverage.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the skyrocketing costs of healthcare. When President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, he promised affordable coverage for all. Mr. Speaker, 15 years and billions of dollars later, all we have gotten are higher costs and less coverage.”

“Mr. Speaker, I have always believed that a strong city is like a well-planted tree: deep roots give you staying power, sturdy branches let you grow, and a good neighborhood street, well, that's your main limb.”

“Community Redevelopment Agency, major infrastructure and policy shifts that will benefit the community for decades to come. On behalf of the people of Northeast Florida, I extend my sincere thanks to Steve Kennedy for his dedication to public service, his countless hours working behind the scenes to ensure this city's progress, and for planting the kind of roots that will support growth for generations.”

“Mr. Speaker, Veterans Day is a day when our Nation pauses to give thanks to the brave men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States of America.”

“Mr. Speaker, did you know that 1 in 50 Americans is living with an unruptured brain aneurysm? It is a silent killer hiding in plain sight. Most won't know it is there until it is too late.”

“Mr. Speaker, on September 11, 2025. the Rotary Club of Orange Park Sunrise will once again raise ``Flags for Heroes,'' a moving sea of hundreds of American flags honoring the men and women who lift our communities every day.”

“Mr. Speaker, William Shakespeare asked: ``What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.'' He may have been speaking about the flower, but, Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, a beam is a ray of light, a symbol of hope. For more than 40 years, BEAM in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, has been that light, delivering hope and help to northeast Floridians in need.”

“Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart but a grateful spirit to honor the life of my friend, Commissioner Carrol Eugene Franklin, who passed away peacefully in Hilliard, Florida, at the young age of 76.”

“Mr. Speaker, today, I rise with a heavy heart, but a grateful spirit, to honor the life of my friend, Commissioner Carrol Eugene Franklin, who passed away peacefully in Hilliard, Florida, at the young age of 76.”

“Mr. Speaker, when danger strikes, it is not just about boots on the ground. It is about paws in motion. Today, I rise in defense of those who cannot speak for themselves but serve our Nation with unmatched loyalty, discipline, and courage.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Foxx for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, we all know what Neil Armstrong said when he first walked on the Moon. As founder of the DOGE Caucus, I am proud to say that, with this rescissions package, the first of its kind in 25 years, we are taking one small step to cut wasteful spending but one giant leap toward fiscal sanity.”

“Mr. Speaker, Duuuval. Mr. Speaker, football fans across the Southeast will recognize that as the rallying cry for the Jacksonville Jaguars. You may wonder how many u's are in that rallying cry.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am a Pirate, arrgh. Mr. Speaker, you might think of a pirate as someone who takes what isn't theirs, but in Nassau County, Florida, a Pirate is someone who earns everything they have with grit, heart, and honor.”

“Mr. Speaker, when people think of a strong foundation, they often think of something built on rock, not clay. However, in Clay County, Florida, we are proving them wrong.”

“Mr. Speaker, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, some say it is the bee's knees. What is the buzz? Basically, it brings better jobs, bigger paychecks, and booming communities.”

“Mr. Speaker, $168 billion was the amount the Federal Government improperly paid last year. We paid some bills two or three times. We paid the wrong invoices altogether.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair McClain for the time. Mr. Speaker, I know there are budget hawks, and I know there are people that care about the deficit, which should be everybody in this room.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of John Thrasher who climbed so many professional mountains. Instead of resting on his laurels, John helped other people climb their mountains.”

“Mr. Speaker, standing at Arlington National Cemetery, the weight of history surrounds you--rows of white headstones stretching endlessly, each marking a life dedicated to service. But among them, one site stands apart: the eternal flame at President John F.”

“One of my favorite books is by Mitch Albom, ``The Five People You Meet in Heaven.'' The book says that when you get to Heaven, you get to see other people's lives, the impact you had on their lives, and how it unfolded.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a truly remarkable Journey--the dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment that has brought Oslene Ducady to this moment becoming a citizen of the United States of America.”

“Mr. Speaker, from nursery rhymes to classroom wisdom, Mother Goose told stories that shaped childhood, while Mother McKissick shaped minds that built futures. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the remarkable life of Estelle Williams McKissick, affectionately known to everybody as ``Mother McKissick,'' a devoted educator, church leader, and pillar in the Jacksonville, Florida, community.”

“Mr. Speaker, diamonds are rare and among the most sought-after treasures in the world--but so are police officers. Their courage, dedication, and commitment to protecting communities make them priceless.”

“Mr. Speaker, according to Bubba from ``Forrest Gump,'' there are 21 ways to prepare shrimp, but there is only one place you can experience all that and more: Fernandina Beach, Florida's Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival.”

“We need the SAVE Act. We need security. We need to come together. I invite our colleagues to come together. There is still time to agree that the pillar of our democracy is one citizen, one vote.”

“Mr. Speaker, President Calvin Coolidge once said, ``The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.'' His words perfectly encapsulate the importance of remembering our Vietnam War veterans.”

“Mr. Speaker, let's go back to 1974, which was, indeed, a big year. It was the year ``Blazing Saddles'' was a massive box office success, ``All in the Family'' was the top-rated TV show, and ``Happy Days'' premiered on ABC.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to take you back 100 years to the year 1925. ``The Great Gatsby'' had just been published. In this very Chamber, the House voted to authorize the construction of Mount Rushmore.”

“Mr. Speaker, when you are lost, you need to find the way. In Clay County, Florida, when you need medical care and don't know where to turn, you need to find The Way Free Medical Clinic.”

“Madam Speaker, yes, we are fired up for March Madness in northeast Florida, and, no, I am not just talking about the No. 1 seed Florida Gators basketball team.”

“Mr. Speaker, did you know that more than 3 million Americans, some only 18, 19, or 20 years old, served in Vietnam? Each one had a duty to serve, but our duty, Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, the COVID pandemic is over and so are many of our problems that disappeared with it, but the mushroom cloud of fraud still lingers in the air.”

“Mr. Speaker, the king of auto racing, Richard Petty, was once asked when the first car race was. He replied: The day they made the second car. Mr.”

“Mr. Speaker, if families across the Nation pay their debts and live within their means, shouldn't we in Congress reevaluate how money is being spent in Washington and across the Nation?”

“Mr. Speaker, we all know that when you are the best of all time, you belong in the hall of fame, like Dan Marino, Don Shula, and Jacksonville's own Tony Boselli.”

“Mr. Speaker, if I were to ask you what you had for lunch last Wednesday, chances are you would struggle to remember. If I were to ask you who your favorite teacher was from 40 years ago, you would know instantly.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the important contributions of A. Michael Hickox and his retirement as the property appraiser for Nassau County, Florida. For 12 years, Mike has been an amazing public servant, committed to fairness and customer service.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the important contributions of A. Michael Hickox and his retirement as the Property Appraiser in Nassau County, Florida. For 12 years, Mike has been an amazing public servant, committed to fairness and customer service.”