Harold Rogers

Expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Richard B. Cheney.

introduced

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

introduced

Authorizing the Clerk to inform the President of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk.

introduced

“Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Paul Jones, a World War II Veteran in Corbin, Kentucky, who recently celebrated his 103rd birthday. Paul Jones earned the distinguished role as a U.S. Navy Pilot, after being trained by one of his Major League Baseball idols. Ted Williams became Jones' naval pilot trainer when his career as a legendary left fielder for the Boston Red Sox was placed on hold for military service. Growing up in Corbin, Kentucky, Jones played baseball for his local Appalachian coal camp team. He quickly became a fan of Williams who earned a .344 batting average with 521 home runs over his 19-year baseball career. It was their common love of baseball and courage of conviction to serve their country that led them to the same path at the Naval Pilot Training field in Pensacola, Florida. When Williams found out Jones was from Eastern Kentucky, he nicknamed him ``Briar,'' and gave him the opportunity to play catch with him and other members of the Pensacola Naval Base baseball team. It was Williams' expert pilot training that prepared Jones to fly F6F Hellcat fighter planes, taking off from the carrier deck of the USS Guadalcanal. Jones was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945 without having to face combat, and returned home to play on Corbin's L&N Railroad baseball team, the ``Railroaders.'' In 1946, he was named to the Kentucky All-State Team at second base. In addition to his passion for baseball and the U.S. Navy, he fell in love with Shirley Wallen Jones, a local healthcare professional in Corbin with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Jones managed his family-owned furniture store, joined local civic activities, and joined the Navy Reserves. His zeal for flying led him to purchase a small Cessna 182 that he used to help transfer decommissioned Navy planes. Jones then committed to flying jets for the Navy Reserve from 1955 to 1959 and continued his military service for more than 20 years. At the age of 82, he finally stopped flying his plane, but at the age of 103, he's still driving his car, walking on the treadmill, going to watch Cincinnati Reds ballgames with friends, and enjoying local sporting events and local restaurants. Out of the 16.4 million Americans who served this great Nation during World War II, only about 45,000 of our heroes are left in 2025. We owe a great debt of gratitude for Paul Jones' remarkable life of service as a business operator in Corbin, a civic leader and a pilot for the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves. His legacy demonstrates the utmost patriotism, while living the American dream to the fullest. May Paul's life be richly blessed as he celebrates 103 years well-lived. ____________________”

2025-11-12 · Veterans

“Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the first female Chief Justice of Kentucky Debra Hembree Lambert, who was elected to the helm of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Kentucky by her fellow Justices. Chief Justice Lambert will serve a four-year term, which began on January 6, 2025. Chief Justice Lambert is a proud native of Bell County, a rural community in Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains and part of Kentucky's 5th Congressional District. During her investiture, she reflected on how her childhood shaped her pursuit of justice, stating, ``When you grow up so modestly, you develop a strong sense of a need for a level playing field and for everyone to be heard. Those concepts are foundational in my world view.'' Chief Justice Lambert has 17 years of experience on the Kentucky Court of Justice, having served as Circuit Judge/Family Court division for the 28th Judicial Circuit, Kentucky Court of Appeals, and Justice for Kentucky's 3rd Supreme Court District. She was also tapped to lead the first Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health in 2022, working to improve the justice system for individuals with mental health issues, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. In fact, she volunteers as a certified suicide prevention trainer, training others how to properly intervene to prevent suicide. Her compassion and fortitude for justice as a Family Court Judge inspired her to create the first Drug Court for Lincoln, Pulaski and Rockcastle counties. As the founder of Operation UNITE, I worked tirelessly to ensure those successful Drug Court efforts were funded and expanded into every county in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District, which are still in existence today. In 2002, Lambert was inducted into the Stanley M. Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. She also volunteered at local middle schools, working 10 weeks each semester with at-risk children and families to help them avoid truancy charges. As Chief Justice Lambert leads Kentucky's Judicial Branch of government, I am confident that she will continue to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky with the utmost integrity and resilience, first forged in the hills of southeastern Kentucky. May God continue to bless Chief Justice Lambert and her family during her historic service as the first woman to lead our Judicial Branch. ____________________”

2025-11-12 · Criminal Justice

“Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a Kentucky icon and longtime friend, Wayne Martin from Winchester, Kentucky. Throughout his career, Wayne built a stellar legacy of excellence in broadcasting, basketball and education, developing a wide network of fans, friends and business partners across our Commonwealth. In Kentucky, basketball royalty is a highly coveted currency at the collegiate level, something that Wayne Martin obtained at multiple institutions. As head coach of the men's basketball team at his alma mater Morehead State University (MSU) from 1978 to 1987, he led the Eagles to two NCAA tournaments. During his stent as head coach and athletic director of then-Pikeville College, his teams earned three impressive national tournament trips, bringing great pride to the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains. He also served as assistant basketball coach at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and head basketball coach and business teacher at Pikeville Hjgh School. After investing 20 years in education and coaching student athletes, Wayne transitioned from earning a spot on the nightly news and sports highlights to broadcasting them for Gray Television stations in Kentucky. He began his broadcast news career as General Sales Manager and General Manager of WYMT-TV in Hazard, Kentucky. As a former successful coach, Wayne always had an effective game plan, and he used it to move up the ranks quickly in the television news industry. He served as President and General Manager of WKYT-TV from 1993 to 2013, where he expanded news programming and earned Lexington's first Emmy Award for station excellence. He was also promoted as Regional Vice President of Television for Gray Television, Inc. and President of Gray Kentucky Television, Inc., operating WKYT-TV in Lexington, WYMT-TV in Hazard, WBKO-TV in Bowling Green and President of WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to an Emmy Award, Wayne has earned a number of accolades, including Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Coach of the Year in 1982, OVC Hall of Fame Inductee in 2004, MSU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee in 1995, the 2017 MSU Distinguished Alumni Award, and most recently, the MSU Founders Award for University Service in 2025. Wayne has used his legacy on the sidelines and the power of the airwaves to give back to the Commonwealth that he so deeply cherishes. He hosted annual fundraisers for the Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, chaired both the United Way board of directors and the annual campaign, and served as chairman of the Children's Advocacy Center board of directors. His expert gameplans have also been sought after by the Kentucky and the Greater Lexington Chambers of Commerce, Morehead State University Board of Regents, Kentucky Broadcaster's Association, Governor's Scholars Foundation, Central Bancshares, Baptist Health, Kentucky-American Water Company, and the American Heart Association. Wayne has mentored young entrepreneurs, student athletes and journalists who have become respected leaders in their fields and established exceptional businesses across the state. His coaching success and business expertise have been of great value to Kentuckians, building an endearing and longlasting fan base that I am honored to be a part of. I salute Wayne for investing in the lives of countless student athletes and giving Eastern Kentucky so much to be proud of. ____________________”

2025-10-17 · Government Reform