Mountain Gateway Officials Wrongly Imprisoned
Floor Speech
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 13 Mountain Gateway officials who have been separated from their families and wrongly imprisoned in Nicaragua.
Our Founding Fathers in America established our First Amendment, which guarantees the freedom of religion. While we are blessed that the United States ensures these rights, other countries and governments do not offer these same liberties. Mountain Gateway is an evangelic ministry based in Texas that desires to make Jesus Christ's name known to all nations.
The organization has had relations with Nicaragua since 2013, establishing churches, humanitarian relief projects, and a fair trade coffee farm that provides income to rural residents. This past year, Mountain Gateway held a series of mass religious worship services in Nicaragua with the government's approval. Throughout eight separate gatherings, more than 1 million people attended.
The Nicaraguan Government began arresting Mountain Gateway affiliated personnel shortly after their most recent service in Managua on false claims of money laundering. Thirteen Mountain Gateway officials are currently being held in prison with no access to legal counsel, no visits from their relatives, and no access to the allegations against them.
Beside me are pictures of a family that has been separated because of this catastrophe. The children, who are also U.S. citizens, are currently separated from their family due to the wrongful imprisonment of their parents.
The response of the Nicaraguan Government is unacceptable. While the current U.S. open border has allowed over 300,000 Nicaraguans to access America since 2021, the Nicaraguan Government has targeted numerous U.S. citizens to be arrested and extradited to Nicaragua and separated two U.S. children under the age of 3 from their parents.
As an American and a strong supporter of religious freedom, it is hard to grasp the reality that other nations do not have the freedom to worship in peace. I condemn the actions by Nicaraguan authorities against both Nicaraguan and American citizens for worshipping the God who created them, and I will be praying for peace and comfort for the individuals and their families until they are safely united. Recognizing National FFA Week
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize February 17 through 24 as National FFA Week. President George Washington once said: ``Agriculture is the most healthy, the most useful, and the most noble employment of man.''
FFA members and alumni nationwide continue to look up to President Washington as a model of leadership and a champion for agriculture. For the past 76 years, we have celebrated National FFA Week during the week of Washington's birthday, February 22.
My roots in FFA run deep. The organization played a role in shaping me into the man I am today. I was a member of the Fountain Lake FFA chapter in high school and went on to serve as the Arkansas FFA State president. I now have the opportunity to serve on the bipartisan Congressional FFA Caucus, and many of my staff members are previous FFA members, State officers, and even a national officer.
At a time when the average age of a U.S. farmer is nearly 60 years old, agriculturists are looking to the next generation to fill their shoes. It has never been more important to give youth a seat at the table and enhance the agricultural talent pipeline, and that is where FFA excels.
I am proud to recognize National FFA Week to celebrate this incredible organization. May it be a reminder of the great strides FFA makes in contributing to the future of agriculture. Honoring the Life of Bob R. Brooks, Jr.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Bob R. Brooks, Jr.
Bob was loved by many, a true family man. He was proud to be known as Uncle Bob to the light of his life, Ryan, as well as to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin's children. He was deeply involved in the lives of his friends and colleagues, and many considered him a member of their family.
He graduated from the University of Arkansas and was a dedicated Razorback fan, rooting for the Hogs in every sport. Bob served as chief of staff for former Congressman Jay Dickey before returning to Arkansas to serve the Natural State in several ways, in both the public and private sectors. Bob was named chief deputy attorney general by Attorney General Tim Griffin in 2023. He deeply enjoyed golfing, horse racing, and traveling.
Bob was loyal to those around him and the State of Arkansas. I am thankful for his contributions to our State; but furthermore, I am thankful for his friendship. Bob's legacy will be felt by many for years to come.
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