H11050 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2007 states that he is ‘‘encouraged by assur- the annual legislative conference that produce an annual legislative con- ance that the labor provisions cannot was this past weekend right here in ference whereby African American be read to require compliance with ILO Washington, DC. leaders from all across the country can conventions,’’ we should be more than I am joined this evening by the co- come to Washington in fellowship and skeptical. chair. The Chair of the Congressional interact and network with other people While we have all heard that the Black Caucus foundation is KENDRICK across the country, and then we con- Peru trade agreement text improves MEEK, but the cochairs of this wonder- clude the week by having a gala or an labor and environmental standards, we ful weekend this year are my good annual dinner. We have just completed fail to hear that they were added on friends G.K. BUTTERFIELD from North the 37th annual conference this past top of the same old NAFTA and Carolina and my colleague and good week, and it was a smashing success. CAFTA text. The bottom line: this is friend DONNA CHRISTENSEN from the I want to thank all of those persons another Bush NAFTA expansion. Virgin Islands. who had a hand in making it happen. Key unions are worried about the So I am going to begin by yielding to KENDRICK MEEK from Miami, Dade labor provisions. The new provisions my colleague and good friend from the County, Florida, is the leader of the require countries to adopt, maintain, great State of North Carolina, G.K. Congressional Black Caucus Founda- and enforce only the terms of the ILO BUTTERFIELD. tion. We used to call him a part of the Declaration on Fundamental Prin- Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I want to first 30-something club, but he has now ciples and Rights at Work. of all thank the gentlelady from Ohio passed that great 40-year-old mark, but The new FTA language does not re- for her leadership here in the Congress. he is still young and energetic and dy- quire signatories to meet the ILO con- One of the first Members that I met namic. ventions. That’s the binding standards. when I came to Washington 3 years ago Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Are you a mem- The declaration is a nonbinding state- was STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES. She is en- ber of the 30-something club? ment. gaged all the time and is certainly rep- Mr. BUTTERFIELD. No, ma’am, I It is highly likely that changes to resenting the constituents of her dis- am not. I am a member of the 60-some- the environment and labor provisions trict. Thank you for giving me the op- thing. will have no real effect on the ground. portunity to share a few thoughts with But KENDRICK MEEK has led our orga- We all know that the Bush adminis- you this evening. nization, and we had a very, very good tration has a long record of not enforc- We have just finished the 37th An- conference last week. I am not going to ing the standards of past trade agree- nual Legislative Conference of the Con- go into all the details, I am sure my ments. Why should they start now? gressional Black Caucus Foundation. colleague, DONNA CHRISTENSEN, who And there are so many problems with I want to delineate between the Con- was also my cochair last week may the Peru Free Trade Agreement, gressional Black Caucus and the Con- give you details about it, but it was a whether it’s the privatization of Social gressional Black Caucus Foundation. wonderful week. Security, ban on anti-offshoring, or Those are two separate entities. So We had brain trust on just about failure to protect our intellectual prop- often people confuse those entities, but every topic that you can imagine. We erty rights. There are more than the Congressional Black Caucus proper had a gospel extravaganza, and one of enough reasons to oppose the Peru is simply an unofficial organization of my choirs from North Carolina came to FTA. Not to mention if you look at the 43 CBC members, African American Washington and really, really had a NAFTA, NAFTA has caused a worse Members who are serving in the Con- magnificent showing in that extrava- problem here in the United States with gress who meet from time to time to ganza. Then we had a prayer breakfast. illegal immigration. The Peru Free discuss public policy issues. It is not a We are very close to prayer in the Con- Trade Agreement will do the same foundation; it is simply an informal gressional Black Caucus, because we thing, cause the illegal immigration gathering of Members of Congress. know it has been our faith that has problem to get worse. By contrast, the Congressional Black brought us thus far along the way. I could go on and on about the Peru Caucus Foundation is a very formal or- Then we concluded on Saturday night FTA. I ask my colleagues to really lis- ganization. It is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt with our gala. I don’t know how many ten to what America is saying about foundation that has been in existence thousand people were at that dinner. these free trade agreements. I’m asking for many years. I want to start off by Mrs. JONES of Ohio. More than 3,000. Members to vote their conscience. Op- making that point abundantly clear. Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Yes. There were pose the Peru FTA. The Congressional Black Caucus is more, more like 4, 5,000 people in at- f composed of 43 members. We hear that tendance at the dinner, and it was a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a number from time to time. That’s a great success. previous order of the House, the gentle- very important number. It has not al- I want to thank all of those persons woman from New York (Mrs. MALONEY) ways been 43 members. The African who had a hand in making the week is recognized for 5 minutes. American representation here in Con- the success that it was, particularly (Mrs. MALONEY of New York ad- gress has evolved over the years, and Dr. Elsie Scott and the staff of the dressed the House. Her remarks will now it is at its highest point in its his- Congressional Black Caucus Founda- appear hereafter in the Extensions of tory; 42 African Americans serve in the tion. Remarks.) House. Of those 42, 40 are full voting You know, Congresswoman, I say in f Members of the House of Representa- speeches all the time and I will say tives. The other two have the right to here on the House floor today, you b 1945 vote in committees and in the Com- know, we get credit for a lot of things CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS mittee of the Whole, but not in the full that we really don’t deserve, Members REPORT ON THE ANNUAL LEGIS- House, because they represent the Dis- of Congress. We cut the ribbons and LATIVE CONFERENCE trict of Columbia and the Virgin Is- take pictures and sit in meetings and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under lands. Hopefully one day in the not too engage in unnecessary debate some- the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- distant future even those two Members times, but it is the staff that does the uary 18, 2007, the gentlewoman from will have a right to full participation heavy lifting and gets the job done. So Ohio (Mrs. JONES) is recognized for 60 here in the Congress. kudos to the Congressional Black Cau- minutes as the designee of the major- But having 42 African Americans in cus Foundation staff. ity leader. the House of Representatives is signifi- Let me conclude by saying that since Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speak- cant. That is 17 percent of the House of 1868 there has only been 122 African er, it’s so good to see you in the Chair, Representatives, at least the Demo- Americans who have served in the especially on this occasion as we en- crats in the House of Representatives United States Congress. That is an ac- gage in the Congressional Black Cau- come from the Congressional Black tual statistic. Our research shows that cus message hour. Caucus, and so that is very important. 19 African Americans served in the This evening it gives me great pleas- So over the years, the Congressional House of Representatives during the ure to spend some time talking about Black Caucus has seen fit to annually Reconstruction. Four of those were

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:44 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\H01OC7.REC H01OC7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE October 1, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11051 from my district that I now represent, lands. She has done a great job and al- of his sight. He became blind at about which is the northeastern corner of ways been a great friend since I have age 12. North Carolina. Eight of those were been in the Congress. This year, along That didn’t stop him, though. He from South Carolina, which is the dis- with G.K. BUTTERFIELD, she cochaired went on to college at the University of trict that my good friend, the majority the annual conference for the Congres- Miami and studied music there, actu- whip of this House, Congressman JIM sional Black Caucus Foundation, ally specializing in jazz and some other CLYBURN, represents. But we have only ‘‘Unleashing Our Power.’’ kinds of music. But in the recent years, had 122 African Americans to serve in Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Congress- he has turned his talent to the service this body. We have come a long way to woman TUBBS JONES, it’s a pleasure to of the Lord, and he has been a gospel have 42 African Americans serving in be back with you on the floor this singer, writer. He actually performed the House and one in the Senate. evening. We were here together last one of his original compositions, We have a lot of work to do, and I am week discussing SCHIP and the situa- which, as he said, was a testimony of going to close by simply saying that we tion in Jena with the Jena 6 high his own life and finding God; it was had a good week and a very successful school students, which was also a part personal. Now it’s personal. week. I know it’s self-serving for me to of our discussion, a very integral part Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Yes, now it’s say this, Congresswoman, but I think of our discussion at the annual legisla- personal. We remarked, as we were sit- it’s the best conference that we have tive conference. ting at the table listening to him, that had in our 37 years. So many people de- We were very fortunate that while we his look was much like a Stevie Won- serve the credit. were there, Mychal Bell was released der look with the braids. When he Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Before you from prison, and we were able to have turned to the side, the profile was leave, I want to congratulate you on the lead attorney, Lewis Scott, come much like Stevie Wonder. your choice of prayer breakfast speak- up and join us for a session. Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Yes, he has a er. Dr. Clifford Jones out of North Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Absolutely. great voice and a great talent. We look Carolina was a wonderful speaker, and Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. But this was for him to go to great places in the fu- his theme, ‘‘Somebody Pray for Me,’’ I our 37th Annual Legislative Con- ture. So we have him and we have the Gen- think hit right home with all of us, and ference, and our theme, as you heard, eration Now, and, of course, many of us we had a wonderful, wonderful time in was ‘‘Unleashing Our Power.’’ That is in the Congressional Black Caucus also praise and worship Saturday morning. also exactly what we here in the CBC had our emerging leaders come up from You would have actually thought we and our constituents across the coun- our district that we sponsored; mine, turned the convention center into a try intend to do going forward, unleash attorney Mark Hodge and Natalie church on Saturday morning. It was a our power. Humphries, also of Generation Now, wonderful experience. I also want to join my cochair in the last person. So that was exciting. thanking the Chair of the Congres- Mr. BUTTERFIELD. We had a south- Our opening session, of course, fea- ern missionary Baptist preacher who sional Black Caucus Foundation, tured our Chairs, including my col- came to Washington and delivered a KENDRICK MEEK, for his strong and vi- league here, Mrs. STEPHANIE TUBBS powerful sermon. When I first sug- sionary leadership of the foundation JONES, Congresswoman STEPHANIE gested Dr. Jones’ name a few months and of the conference, and to thank our TUBBS JONES, but also Chairman RAN- ago, a few people were skeptical be- CBC chairwoman, the Honorable CARO- GEL, Chairman CONYERS, Chairman cause they had not heard of him before. LYN CHEEKS KILPATRICK, for her stellar THOMPSON, and of course, our whip, JIM guidance. As we have come into the When they came up with their name, I CLYBURN. That was a very, I think, had not heard of their name before. majority, she has coalesced and di- powerful way to start off a conference, So I thought it was time to have a rected our power to influence the prod- a weekend that was all about power. southern minister. Dr. Clifford Jones uct of what I think will be a historic It wasn’t only about power in the did a wonderful job, as did Rev. Wil- 110th Congress. Congress, but it was about a power in liam Barber from Goldsboro, North I also, as you heard just a few min- our community that is still really un- Carolina, who delivered the prayer for utes ago, had a great partner in my co- tapped and unleashed. We could really the Nation. Dr. Barber is also the State chair, Congressman G.K. BUTTERFIELD be agents of change for our community president of the NAACP in North Caro- of North Carolina, whose input, vision and our country if we were to really lina, and it was just a wonderful occa- and hard work really helped to make come together and use the power that sion. You would have had to have been this week a successful and momentous is ours. there to really appreciate it, and hope- one as it was. Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I am with you. fully persons who didn’t come this year Of course, as he said too, the ALC Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I wanted to may see fit to come next year. could not have been successful without focus the rest of my remarks on the Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I wasn’t part of the work of our staff, his staff and my town hall, though, and on the health the choice, but I knew a minister staff and the staff of the foundation sessions that I was a part of. There named Jones had to be a really good under the excellent and skilled leader- were many health sessions. There were person. Thank you so much for the ship of Dr. Elsie Scott, its president. many sessions, period, on a number of choice. As this year’s cochair, it was a spe- issues, and all very informative. Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Thank you, cial pleasure for me to welcome Gen- The town hall, first, was a real pow- staff. Thank you all of you who had a eration Now and other Virgin Island- erful discussion on ways to eliminate hand in making this happen, including ers, including Neville Peter, who sang or reduce the factors that lead so many the chairwoman of the Congressional at the prayer breakfast. black men and now, increasingly, black Black Caucus itself. I failed to mention Mrs. JONES of Ohio. He was excel- women into prison. We called it ‘‘Dis- the name of CAROLYN CHEEKS KIL- lent. He was excellent. Wow. rupting the Prison Pipeline’’ because PATRICK. Congresswoman KILPATRICK is Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Both singers we wanted to focus on positive action leader of the Congressional Black Cau- were great, but it was really inspiring. to really stop what was happening over cus, and that’s a tough job, leading 43 We were really pleased he was able to the years. diverse politicians. But she reconciles join us. Too, our session was attended by, I all of our differences, all of our views Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Why don’t you think, over 1,000 people who were at and leads the Black Caucus with great tell us a little bit about Neville Peter? that town hall that morning. And we distinction. Thank you as well to Con- Some people across the Nation may not discussed the disparities in education, gresswoman KILPATRICK. know about him. health, including mental health and Mrs. JONES of Ohio. It gives me Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. He is a young substance abuse, how poverty and un- great pleasure to yield time to my col- man, born in my district in the U.S. employment in the criminal justice league and good friend, Congresswoman Virgin Islands. He started his musical system, the disparities in those areas DONNA CHRISTENSEN. She cochairs the career very early, at about 5, mostly in create a pathway to incarceration brain trust for the Congressional Black the piano and one other instrument. rather than college for so many in the Caucus. She represents the Virgin Is- But at about 12, he pretty much lost all African-American community.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:44 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\H01OC7.REC H01OC7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE H11052 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2007 We had wonderful speakers. We had with the Black AIDS Institute on the thank all of the speakers, the exhibi- Reggie Weaver, the president of the Na- Hill last week; and it’s time to reissue tors, and all who attended from all tional Education Association; Dr. Mar- that call for the state of emergency over the country, and even some from ian Wright Edelman, the president of and reclaim our minority AIDS initia- beyond and outside of our country, the Children’s Defense Fund; Dr. Beny tive. from the Caribbean, from Africa and Primm was a drug addiction expert Also, on Thursday afternoon there other areas of the world. Because of the from New York; Dr. Debra Prothrow was a great discussion on bringing cor- input that you brought, and the sup- Stith, a public health expert who fo- porate, State, and union leaders into port that you gave to the conference, cuses on violence prevention; attorney the disparity elimination partnership. we, as a community, stand more ready Rhonda Stewart from North Carolina, With the ongoing need for corporations than ever to unleash our power. an expert on child and family judicial to provide health care and the extreme Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Thank you, issues; Janks Morton, who is a writer pressures of its rising costs, they will Madam Chair, DONNA CHRISTENSEN, the in D.C. representing the media; and be looking for ways to cut those costs. Delegate from the Virgin Islands, one several ex-offenders who have made a The health coverage will continue to be of the co-chairs for the ALC Con- dramatic turnaround in their lives. a major cause of contention as unions ference. negotiate contracts, and States are be- It gives me great pleasure at this b 2000 ginning to take coverage for all of time to yield 5 minutes to my col- We want to thank them, as well as their residents into their own hands. league and good friend, DIANE WATSON our moderator, Leon Harris, and the We called on business, union and from California, our former ambas- Members of Congress who participated; State leaders, we called them together sador to Micronesia. Congressman BOBBY SCOTT, who chairs for this dialogue because we want to Ms. WATSON. Thank you, Congress- the Crime Subcommittee of the Judici- make sure that as all of this begins to woman STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES; and ary and has turned that into, has begun take some kind of shape into a health thank you, Madam Speaker. to focus that committee on prevention, care reform initiative, that closing the I want to congratulate Congressman which we have long looked forward to gaps in health care and in health sta- MEEK, Chair of the Congressional doing; DANNY DAVIS, who heads a sub- tus that’s faced by racial and ethnic Black Caucus Foundation, and CARO- committee himself on health under the minorities and rural residents in this LYN CHEEKS KILPATRICK for putting to- Government Reform Committee. But country, that those issues would be at gether a most excellent Congressional primarily he was there as the leader of the center of that reform; and we in- Black Caucus annual legislative week. the State of the Black Male Initiative tend for that to be an ongoing dia- The event was very well attended, and that the CBC and the CBC Foundation logue. the many issue forums were inform- have been working on and, of course, The last session that I’m going to ative and enlightening. Chairman RANGEL, who brought the mention is the Friday session on de- I held three issue forums, one on Af- economic opportunity piece to that dis- manding opportunity and justice for rican American entrepreneurship in cussion. They brought their expertise, African American health care pro- South Africa, and one on African they brought the work that they’re en- viders. It spoke to challenges that are American celebrities and their too gaged in, both inside and out of Con- almost as disturbing as those we dis- often unreported commitment to social gress to help disrupt the prison pipe- cussed in the prison pipeline discus- issues. line. sion. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Sul- And my third panel, entitled ‘‘Find- What’s clear is that there’s too many livan, gave us an update on the still ing Justice for the Black Cherokee In- communities where a young black low representation of African Ameri- dian Freedmen,’’ looked at the current male in this country has no alternative cans and other minorities in health Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma’s efforts opportunities, nor is he provided with professions schools and in practice, far to expel its black Cherokee citizens. I adequate opportunities to be able to below our representation in the Nation was pleased to have a number of Cher- succeed on the path to college. And the and woefully inadequate to meet the okee citizens, including Joe Byrd, the two unfortunate recent examples are needs of our diverse society. We heard former principal chief of the Cherokee the Jena high school students and from hospital administrators, doctors, Nation of Oklahoma, Jon Velie, attor- Genarlo Wilson who is still in prison in dentists and others, including students, ney for the Freedmen, and Marilyn Georgia. What we will do from here, about the barriers to getting into the Vann, president of the Freedmen De- though, Madam Speaker and col- health profession school and staying scendants Association. leagues, is to issue a report that incor- there. Those stories were bad enough. In the year 2000, the Seminole Nation porates the date, the key points of the But there was more. We then heard of Oklahoma attempted to disenfran- discussion, and legislative rec- from African American doctors and chise its Freedmen descendants. The ommendations, which would be a blue- other health providers, those in prac- circumstances were nearly identical to print for the Congressional Black Cau- tice, about the difficulties they face in the current efforts of the Cherokee Na- cus, as well as other elected leadership staying in practice, given exclusions tion of Oklahoma to rid itself of de- on State and local levels. from certain facilities, faculties and scendants of the Freedmen who are What we’ve heard from our panelists organizations, unfair investigations rightfully citizens of Cherokee Nation. and the audience was a compelling call and sanctions that hold them to a far The Bureau of Indian Affairs took a to action to indeed disrupt that prison higher standard than other providers, proactive stance against the Semi- pipeline. and also disparities in reimbursement. noles, cutting off their funding for The first health session, which I co- What we heard signals a looming cri- nearly 2 years and also suspending chair every year with Congresswoman sis that must be prevented if we are their franchise to conduct gaming. BARBARA LEE on HIV and AIDS, global ever to eliminate health disparities, if Interestingly, the Bureau of Indian HIV and AIDS focus on the growing we’re ever to improve health care for Affairs first declared the Cherokee role and the influence of the faith com- everyone in this country, and if we’re Freedmen situation identical to that of munity in combating the HIV/AIDS ever to stop the skyrocketing rise in the Seminole Freedmen. Then the bu- crisis in the African American commu- health care costs. Those are just three reau did a 180-degree flip flop, taking a nity. Ten years ago we called for a of the many outstanding issue forums hands-off approach to Cherokee Freed- state of emergency and a minority and brain trusts that informed, in- men. The BIA chose to shirk its fidu- AIDS initiative for our community and spired, and invoked action on the part ciary responsibility, even as the Freed- other communities of color. This ad- of the black community. men’s rights were obviously being ministration has taken it far away As I close, I want to thank all of my trampled on by the Cherokee leader- from the original intent of building the CBC colleagues, including you, Madam ship. local capacity in our communities to Speaker, for your support. Because of In March of 2007, the Cherokee Na- address this epidemic. And the con- your hard work and that of your staff, tion held an election to expel the Cher- sensus in that conference was that we we had one of the best annual legisla- okee Freedmen, in violation of the 1866 need a national plan, as we discussed tive conferences ever and I want to treaty which granted full citizenship

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:44 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\H01OC7.REC H01OC7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE October 1, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11053 rights to Cherokee Freedmen shortly Cherokee Nation who form a minority thought it was a very balanced and after the Civil War. That is when the of its, there are only 2,800, they’re a productive session, and very inform- plight of the Cherokee Freedmen first minority among its 270,000 thousand ative. came to my attention. Members. I’ve been privileged to be a part of I immediately wrote a letter to As- And finally, my legislation was not the Congressional Black Caucus Foun- sistant Secretary Artman of the Bu- an attack on Indian sovereignty or the dation’s annual legislative weekend for reau of Indian Affairs requesting an in- Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma’s sov- all 15 years that I have served in Con- terpretation of the vote. The letter was ereignty. gress. And I would have to say that the signed by 25 of my congressional col- The Cherokee Nation receives rough- first 13 of those years I did my piece of leagues. The response I received from ly $300 million a year from the Federal the conference by conducting a discus- Secretary Artman almost a month Government. It also conducts highly sion and issues forum on the Voting later was unsatisfactory. In effect, the lucrative gaming operations with a Rights Act, access to the vote, and I Secretary said that the bureau had not Federal gaming charter. The sovereign participated in various issues related taken any administrative action and right to discriminate with our tax- to the Judiciary Committee. But last would continue its careful evaluation payers’ dollars is not a right at all. It’s year and the year before last, I was of all facets of this matter. In effect, I illegal. honored to serve as the Chair of the was told that the BIA would continue The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Congressional Black Caucus, and I took to monitor a situation that didn’t need argues that it should be treated like a different perspective during those 2 further monitoring, but immediate ac- other tribes and have the exclusive years because it gave me an oppor- tion. right to determine its citizenship. Be- tunity, as Chair of the caucus, not only It is only when I discovered that the cause the Cherokees signed a treaty to do my own issues forum, but it was BIA would not move proactively, that with the Confederate States of America part of, I viewed it as part of my re- it would not forcibly and vigorously and fought against the United States sponsibility to drop in on all of the stand up for and protect the rights of to defend slavery, the conditions of the issues forums and brain trust discus- Cherokee Freedmen as it had done for treaty of 1866 and reconstituting the sions that were going on. the Seminole Freedmen, I introduced relationship with the United States And I can tell you firsthand that H.R. 2824 to sever the United States re- was that the former slaves and their there was nowhere in the world that lations with the Cherokee Nation of descendents, called the Freedmen, there were more thoughtful provoca- Oklahoma until such time that it re- would be citizens with full rights. My tive discussions going on about the stores full citizenship rights to Cher- legislation only seeks redress for the state of black America, our role in the okee Freedmen. Cherokee Nation for the restoration of United States, our role in education, My legislation has been characterized their treaty rights that entitle them to justice, our role internationally, than by Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma as a citizenship, to vote, to hold office and take place at the Congressional Black termination bill, which is blatantly to have equal rights with other Cher- Caucus Foundation’s annual legislative false. There is not one sentence in the okee citizens. conference. legislation that addresses terminating Madam Speaker and Representative That is the place to be to discuss the the Cherokee Nation’s Federal recogni- STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES, I appreciate issues that impact our community, and tion status. the time you have given us, and I think I saw it firsthand, from issues related The Cherokee Nation has made the we were very successful this weekend to the hip hop generation to the con- argument that Congress should not in- in gathering information and enlight- fidence of our African American youth, tervene until the courts have resolved ening our public who attended from to the prison pipeline that, unfortu- the matter. It made this point the cen- across the country and around our Na- nately, has been created, to the dis- ter piece of its public relations cam- tion. Thank you very much. parities that exist in health care and education and even in our inter- paign to disenfranchise the Freedmen GENERAL LEAVE descendents. But the past actions of national foreign policy. Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speak- So I’m honored to have been able to the Cherokee Nation belie its commit- er, I ask unanimous consent that all have viewed the weekend from a dif- ment to the rule of law. After the Cher- Members have 5 legislative days within ferent perspective for the last 2 years. okee Nation’s tribal courts ruled in which to revise and extend their re- But I will tell you, Madam Speaker, favor of Lucy Allen, a Freedmen de- marks on the subject of this Special and my colleague, Representative scendant who sued for citizenship, the Order today, the annual legislative TUBBS JONES, that I was honored to get Cherokee Nation’s leadership chose to conference of the Congressional Black back to being able to do just my thing dissolve the court and packed the Caucus. again this year. And we had a delight- newly constituted court with cronies The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ful discussion about the Voting Rights who proceeded to approve a referendum objection to the request of the gentle- Act in my issues forum. to disenfranchise the Freedmen. woman from Ohio? The Cherokee Nation’s leadership There was no objection. b 2015 states that funding cuts will hurt many Mrs. JONES of Ohio. At this time it Last year we had just passed the 25- Cherokees who depend on Federal fund- gives me great pleasure to have the op- year reauthorization of the Voting ing. This past Friday, coinciding with portunity to yield 5 minutes to my col- Rights Act, and so we took that year to the day of my issue forum, the Cher- league and good friend from the great kind of pat ourselves on the back and okee Nation took out a full page ad in State of North Carolina, the immediate talk about what we had just accom- Roll Call and in the Hill making this past Chair of the Congressional Black plished. But we knew the onslaught claim. What the Cherokee Nation Caucus, Mr. MEL WATT. would be coming immediately. And doesn’t tell you is that it has already Mr. WATT. Thank you, Madam within that 1-year period, there has spent $2.7 million or more lobbying Speaker, and I thank my colleague, been a concerted effort, litigation has against Freedmen and that the Cher- STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES from Ohio, for been filed, which is a direct frontal at- okee Tribal Council recently debated yielding time. I don’t think it will take tack on the Voting Rights Act and its allocating $4 million to lobby against me 5 minutes to do this, but I did want reauthorization. the Freedmen. What they don’t tell to spend a little bit of time talking So the first part of my issues related you is that a lot of this money has about the annual legislative conference to that legal attack, which had just gone and will go to pay for services of that was conducted by the Congres- been argued in a court of appeals about high-priced public relations firms. It’s sional Black Caucus Foundation this 2 weeks ago, and I had the lawyer from too bad that the Cherokee Nation will past weekend. the NAACP Legal Defense Fund there not use its money to help those in its I heard the comments of my col- at my brain trust to talk about that tribe who really need assistance, but league from California, Ms. DIANE WAT- attack and its likelihood for success. instead will use millions of dollars to SON, and I was fortunate to be able to And I’m happy to report that we do not launch a hateful and vitriolic attack sit in on one of her issues forums re- believe it is a serious attack, although against African descendents of the lated to the Cherokee Freedmen, and I there will certainly be others to come.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:44 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\H01OC7.REC H01OC7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE H11054 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2007 That presentation was followed by a and, if you will, thousands upon thou- decision. Something for us to be con- presentation by Donna Brazile on the sands of items that we work on and cerned about. various methods that have been used solve on a daily basis here in the So I enjoyed participating in that throughout the country to discourage United States Congress. So I want to one and thought it was a very impor- minority participation in the voting thank her for guiding this for a period tant, instructive session, as well as process and what we plan to do about it of time, and I want to then acknowl- cochairing the child welfare section in the 2007 election and, more impor- edge the chairpersons of the 37th An- with DANNY DAVIS. And the one point I tantly perhaps, in the 2008 Presidential nual Legislative Conference, the Hon- want to mention that came out of that election cycle, some of the strategies orable DONNA CHRISTENSEN and G.K. that really cries out for legislation is that we plan to follow to combat those BUTTERFIELD, who did an outstanding the fact that foster children age out of efforts to diminish and reduce minority job. And as well might I acknowledge protection, age out of a home at age 18. participation in the voting process. and thank, and I know that he will be And for those of us who have children And then our third panelist was a di- speaking soon, the chairman of the that know that we are still mothering rector of a board of elections in Florida Congressional Black Caucus Founda- them at 21, 22, 23, 24, and they have a who talked about the desirability of tion, Chairman KENDRICK MEEK, and home, our children can come back to a creating a paper trail so that people thank him for his leadership and also home or have a roof over their head who do show up and vote at the polls for the opportunity to now journey on that we may have, but foster children can reliably be certain that their vote the foundation board as a new member. get out of the system. There is no obli- will be counted and properly assessed. As I am a new member of the founda- gation to provide them with housing or So we just had three panelists. They tion board, I am delighted to be able to schooling or anything. What a tragedy, did outstanding jobs. We had ample collaborate with him on some of the which is why you see that many foster time for discussion and participation many, many issues that the board will children are homeless, many foster by the attendees at the conference and tackle. children can’t finish college. They get at our issues forum. It was a delightful Success; inspirational; exciting; fun; no stipend, and it is a crisis. And it was experience and one that I look forward learned; and, of course, message giving. an outstanding series with Historically to being around next year at this time That was the 37th annual legislative Black Colleges. to replicate. session that we just finished here in Let me then indicate that the series I again applaud you for convening Washington, D.C. that I had involved the energy brain this Special Order tonight to allow us Allow me to acknowledge the impor- trust, which was historic. And let me the opportunity to talk about not only tance of the Voting Rights session that quickly say that we had representa- the fun things that happened at the MEL WATT and I, having served on the tives from Shell and CAMAC energy foundation’s annual legislative con- Judiciary Committee, worked on as we and the CEO of CITGO; from Ven- ference but, more importantly, the moved to reauthorize the Voting ezuela, the Venezuelan ambassador; the wonderful substantive discussions that Rights legislation in the last session. ambassador from Algeria; Milton take place around every issue that im- And just to bring to the attention of Scott, who owns a very important Afri- pact our community. my colleagues, the reason why that is can American energy company; Steve With that I will thank our convener so important is because it seems that Hightower, African American, owner of this evening. race again is becoming a dividing issue an energy company; George Person; Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I had a recent in America. And I just want to remind Lisa Jackson; Gary Heminger; Hugh discussion with our colleague KEITH my colleagues, or maybe bring it to Depland from BP; Gary from Mara- ELLISON from Minnesota, and he was your attention, I am going to sort of thon; Frank Stewart from the Amer- telling me that in the seventh circuit merge it into the review of the par- ican Association of Blacks in Energy; that it had been granted to go to the ticular sessions that I had, but I just Willie Trotty. And the key element, Supreme Court on a voter ID. That will want to announce to my colleagues high gasoline prices and high utility be an interesting case to watch as it that Ward Connelly has managed to get costs, building bridges. We have a com- goes forward as well. the question of affirmative action on mitment to convene the energy brain Mr. WATT. We did talk about that, the ballot of nine States. My under- trust at the OTC, the Offshore Tech- and we are watching that case very standing is that that question which nology Conference, in Houston, but the carefully, as well as another case out of revolves around race will be on the main thing we have a commitment to North Carolina, which is an attack on Presidential-year elections. It is my is getting African Americans in the whether the Voting Rights Act pro- understanding that it will be on the ownership wealth part of energy and tects congressional districts that are ballot in November of 2008. I am going making sure that there are African not majority minority, such as the one to investigate that issue, but I wanted Americans in the corporate aspects of I represent, which is only 40 percent or to just bring that to the table because these major Fortune 500 companies and, as well, increasing more owner- so African American, and the ones that a number of our sessions had to do with ship. are represented by most of the mem- trying to grapple with this question of bers of the Congressional Black Caucus race. And certainly the Voting Rights b 2030 today. Act and the interpretations that the Lastly, we did a provocative session Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Madam Speak- Supreme Court will make on additional on hip hop, ‘‘The Culture of a People, er, I want to thank the gentleman for cases involving race really emphasize the Language of a People,’’ and it actu- his leadership on getting the Voting that. ally got people talking. Julianne Rights Act reauthorized, Congressman And I must say that I enjoyed co- Malveaux, the president of Bennett MEL WATT of North Carolina. hosting a series of sessions with BOBBY College. Azim Rashid, senior VP of op- It gives me great pleasure at this SCOTT. There was a session that, al- erations at Warner Music. J. Xavier, time to yield to my colleague and good though I was detained, I was able to 350-time performer, 15-year-old clean friend, a former judge from the great get in for a brief moment, but I want to hip hop artist. An Tun Muhammad, the State of Texas, Congresswoman SHEILA compliment him and acknowledge that president of The Real Hip Hop Net- JACKSON-LEE. one of the aspects that was spoken work. Asha Jenning, Igniting Media Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam about was the recent decision dealing Accountability. Madhatter of the Box Speaker, let me thank my distin- with race in schools on the Supreme Station in Houston, and JMAC. And guished colleague and friend, chair- Court. So you can imagine if there are then Reverend Ben Chavis and Charles woman of the Ethics Committee from ballot issues dealing with affirmative LeBoef. Ohio STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES, for more action, it just converges on a number Let me conclude by saying that we than this one night. I think that we are of these issues. And that session really opened up the door of communication back in the saddle again, and I applaud emphasized the wrongness of the deci- to understand hip hop from both per- the fact that the Congressional Black sion as it relates to the results, mean- spectives in art, but also account- Caucus, the conscience of the Congress, ing that Brown versus Board of Edu- ability. I look forward to continuing is now reporting the ions and pages cation might be challenged under that those sessions.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:44 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\H01OC7.REC H01OC7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE October 1, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11055 But more importantly let me thank come active agents of change in our collective Issues Forum entitled ‘‘The Language of Hip the convener, because we were able to futures. America’s dependence of foreign oil Hop: The Culture of a People,’’ This timely say it was vital, it was important, and has led us to precarious position in terms of and thought-provoking discussion and exam- there was so much learning going on. foreign policy and national security, while the ination of the impact, both positive and nega- Now we’re going forward with the leg- youth of our nation have not received suffi- tive, of hip hop on our community featured islative initiative for the CBC legisla- cient means to move to us a new direction. panelists from the hip hop industry, as well as tive weekend. Because I represent the city of Houston, the activists and academics. I yield back to the distinguished energy capital of the world, I realize that many As a Member of the Congressional Black gentlelady. Thank you for the time. oil and gas companies provide many jobs for Caucus, Chairwoman of the Congressional The issue of energy is one of the most im- many of my constituents and serve a valuable Children’s Caucus, and most importantly a portant national security issues which face our need. The energy industry in Houston exem- mother, it is my priority to address issues re- nation due to our increasing dependence on plifies the stakeholders who must be instru- lating to the health and well-being of African foreign sources of energy, often times from mental in devising a pragmatic strategy for re- American youth in this country. I recognize volatile parts of the world. My braintrust seeks solving our national energy crisis. It is crucial that Hip Hop culture has had a tremendous in- to highlight and remedy the lack of adequate that while seeking solutions to secure more fluence on the artistic and musical expression outreach to and participation by the African energy independence within this country, we of America’s youth today. However, many American community in America’s energy in- strike a balance that will still support an envi- view the culture of Hip Hop as a negative and dustry, which is exacerbated by the inherent ronment for continued growth in the oil and provocative phenomenon due to some of the barriers present in the energy industry to Afri- gas industry, which I might add, creates mil- negative images and harsh lyrics that some can American students, workers, entre- lions of jobs across the entire country. artists use to express themselves. I believe preneurs, and investors along with the dis- We have many more miles to go before we that before we condemn Hip Hop, we must parate impact the energy industry has on mi- achieve energy independence. Consequently, first try to understand it. The Children’s nority populations, consumers and neighbor- I am willing, able, and eager to continue work- Braintrust sought to reach such understanding. hoods, both in terms of prices and environ- ing with Houston’s and our nation’s energy in- Throughout history, music originating from mental justice. dustry to ensure that we are moving expedi- America’s Black communities has always had There is no issue more integral to our na- tiously on the path to crafting an environ- an accompanying subculture reflective of the tion’s economic and national security than en- mentally sound and economically viable en- political, social and economic conditions of the ergy independence. This Energy Braintrust, ergy policy. Furthermore, I think it is impera- time. Rap is no different. The history of our which is comprised of some of the most tive that part of this policy includes increased music often exemplifies a deeper reflection of prominent members of America’s energy in- involvement by small, minority and women the goings on in society—from Billie Holiday’s dustry, is designed to be a clarion call to ac- owned businesses, and independent energy solemn song characterizing those who were tion, in order to build bridges and synergies companies in this process because they rep- lynched as ‘‘Strange Fruit’’ to Nina Simone’s between the African-American community and resent some of the hard working Americans musical commentary in ‘‘Mississippi G—— America’s energy industry. The purpose of this Braintrust will not only and Houstonians who are on the forefront of D——’’ expressing her disdain for the rampant be the discussion of, but more importantly, the energy efficient strategies to achieving energy killings in the South, to Tupac’s expression of transformation of dialogue into action and leg- independence. sincere compassion for poor black women, I will conclude by also emphasizing that re- islation to address and bolster the relation- whom he urged to ‘‘keep your head up’’ de- newable and alternate sources of energy must ships between the energy industry and African spite the fact that society has turned its back American consumers, entrepreneurs, inves- be part of our energy future in order to on you. tors, workers, and students. My hope and ex- achieve energy independence. Replacing oil Hip hop is the culture from which rap pectation is that six months from now each of imports with domestic alternatives such as tra- emerged. Hip hop is a lifestyle with its own today’s presenters will join me to collectively ditional and cellulosic ethanol can not only language, style of dress, music and mind set and individually issue a plan of benchmarks, help reduce the $180 billion that oil contributes that is continuously evolving. We have seen goals, and pathways to build concrete and co- to our annual trade deficit, it can end our ad- hip hop go from competitive freestyling to herent bridges and synergies between the Af- diction to foreign oil. According to the Depart- breakdancing battles to East Coast-West rican American community and America’s en- ment of Agriculture, biomass can displace 30 Coast rivalry. Surely, we lost two extremely ergy industry. Moreover, part of this plan will percent of our Nation’s petroleum consump- talented individuals in Tupac and Biggie, much be a formal mechanism such as a progress tion. too soon. We all know their lives did not have report to measure how each of today’s promi- Along with traditional production of ethanol to end so violently. But knowing this, we must nent panelists and the companies they rep- from corn, cellulosic ethanol can be produced ask ourselves, why does the violence continue resent implement and achieve the benchmarks domestically from a variety of feedstocks, in- to take so many of our youth? they helped to develop. This will ensure that cluding switchgrass, corn stalks and municipal My Children’s Issues Forum was an oppor- we transform today’s substantive discussion solid wastes, which are available throughout tunity to talk with each other, rather than at into pragmatic action. our nation. Cellulosic ethanol also relies on its each other. Panelists and participants came Energy is the lifeblood of every economy, own byproducts to fuel the refining process, together to discuss solutions, and to look for especially ours. Producing more of it leads to yielding a positive energy balance. Whereas a way forward that embraces the hip hop art- more good jobs, cheaper goods, lower fuel the potential production of traditional corn- ists in their quest to fulfill their dreams but re- prices, and greater economic and national se- based ethanol is about 10 billion gallons per jects the lethal language that often lends itself curity. However, the U.S. is more than 60 per- year, the potential production of cellulosic eth- to less than desirable outcomes for our chil- cent dependent on foreign sources of energy, anol is estimated to be 60 billion gallons per dren. More and more, we see some of the twice as dependent today as we were just 30 year. negative messages affecting the way young years ago. America’s growing and dangerous I will close by emphasizing that we must be people make decisions about engaging in sex- energy dependence has resulted in the loss of balanced and prudent in our approach to ad- ual activity, drug use and using violence as a hundreds of thousands of good American jobs, dress our energy needs. By ensuring access means to resolve conflict. The self esteem and skyrocketing consumer prices, and to the African-American community and invest- desire of many young listeners to achieve vulnerabilities in our national security. ing in renewable energy, I believe we can be greatness are being deflated by stereotypes Energy imports now make up one-third of partners with the responsible members of and explicit lyrics in some Hip Hop lyrics. America’s trade deficit. America must improve America’s energy producing community While I uphold America’s fundamental right the supply-demand imbalance, lower con- present today to achieve our collective goal of to freedom of speech and believe that artists sumer prices, and increase jobs by producing reaching energy independence and increased have a right to creative expression, a middle more of its own energy resources. With my inclusion of the African-American community. ground needs to be sought in order to allow district of Houston being the energy capital of CHILDREN’S ISSUES FORUM: HIP HOP: THE CULTURE OF artists to create music without demeaning and the world, the energy industry in Houston ex- A PEOPLE degrading others. It is difficult to progress as emplifies the stakeholders who must be instru- The Annual Legislative Conference is an op- a community if we never take the time to care- mental in devising a pragmatic strategy for re- portunity for us to discuss and engage with fully dissect the influence of Hip Hop on our solving our national energy crisis. some of the difficult issues that face us as a children. At this point in history, the energy industry community and as a nation, This year, it was During my forum, panelists examined is at a critical turning point where we can be- my honor and pleasure to host a Children’s whether Hip Hop language is culture, creativity

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:44 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\H01OC7.REC H01OC7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE H11056 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 1, 2007 or crisis, and explored the ‘‘Stop Snitchin’’ the opportunity to go into Mr. PAYNE’s We had a great workshop on edu- phenomenon that has had a negative impact Africa brain trust. Very powerful. He cation with the education brain trust. on communities across the nation. This impor- had heads of state come in to address We had one session on desegregation of tant Issues Forum was a substantial first step people who needed to know more about schools and how, notwithstanding the toward reaching a solution. The ALC is about the African countries that are there. Seattle and Louisville cases, we can fostering positive and creative change, and the So with that, Madam Chair, thank still, with a little hard work, make Children’s Braintrust made great strides to- you. I want to thank you. We co-spon- sure those schools are desegregated. ward making our communities safer for our sored the ALC a couple of years ago to- We focused on the importance of children. gether, co-chaired it. I want to thank early childhood education and the ele- Mrs. JONES of Ohio. It gives me you for your leadership, and thank you mentary and secondary education and great pleasure at this time to yield 3 for hosting this hour. Higher Education Act. We were able to minutes to the Chair of the Congres- Mrs. JONES of Ohio. I thank you, Mr. make sure that we invested appro- sional Black Caucus Foundation, and Chair. It is always great working with priately in education to make sure my great friend and son in the House of you. that we have a better community. Representatives, Congressman At this time, I would like to yield 4 We also had another workshop on the KENDRICK MEEK, from the great State minutes to my colleague and good judiciary, juvenile justice and the im- of Florida, Miami, Florida. friend from the great State of Virginia, portance of making the choice between Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you so Congressman BOBBY SCOTT, who has reducing crime and playing politics. much, Madam Chair. And thank you, been a leader in and around so many We need to make sure that we reduce Ms. LEE, for saying thank you and issues. It is great to yield to you. crime. You were very active in law showing your appreciation. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I would like school admissions, to make sure that I know we have some Members that to thank the lady from Ohio for con- law schools’ admissions policy was not want to speak, and Madam Chair, I’m vening this Special Order so that we discriminatory. going to have to leave the floor soon, can talk about the great weekend that Great workshops, judiciary, edu- so I just want to mention two or three we had. cation, budget. The other important things. The gentleman from Florida, workshops. It was a great educational One, I want to thank those great KENDRICK MEEK, did a tremendous job weekend. Americans that participated in our as chairman of the foundation. CARO- Madam Chair, I would like to thank conference. And I think that some of LYN CHEEKS KILPATRICK from Michigan you for your hard work and leadership the brain trusts that were held, from did a great job as chairman of the cau- and also the ability to bring us to- what I’m hearing from e-mails and cus; DONNA CHRISTENSEN from the Vir- gether so that we could discuss the telephone calls, were some of the best gin Islands and G.K. BUTTERFIELD of great work that was done over the that we’ve had. That means hats off to North Carolina leading the legislative weekend. those that put on those brain trusts weekend. Thank you very much, and I yield and issue forums; that means one of We had dozens of important legisla- back. the 43 members of the Congressional tive seminars, foreign affairs, armed Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Thank you to Black Caucus, individually they were services and veterans, transportation, the gentleman from Virginia for his able to do it. health care, education, housing, social comments. And we were also able to shed light services, financial issues, civil rights, It gives me great pleasure at this on ‘‘Unleashing Our Power.’’ It wasn’t voting rights. Every aspect of legisla- time to have the opportunity to yield just a title of members of the Congres- tion that you can imagine, we had the 31⁄2 minutes to my colleague and good sional Black Caucus. It was for those nationally recognized experts. They friend from the great State of New Jer- participants, black, white, male and fe- were open to the public, the public had sey, who serves on the International male, that attended the conference, to an opportunity for questions and an- Relations Committee and is just a lead- leave empowered to go back to their swers and input. These were great er in the international arena, my col- State, back to their local community, workshops. I participated in four of league and good friend, DONALD PAYNE. and even in their own home, and un- them. The town hall forum entitled Mr. PAYNE. Let me thank you again leash their power as it relates to edu- ‘‘The Cradle to Prison Pipeline’’ that for your great work, Congresswoman cation, health care, so on and so on. talked about the unfortunate situation JONES, she does a fantastic job, and for One thing that I can tell you that where so many of our young people all of the leaders that you have heard was very, very good this year, and we start off and gradually, slowly but mentioned. And I would like to com- were able to work very hard, is making surely, get in trouble, drop out of mend Dr. Elsie Scott for really bring- a lot of young people feel welcome with school and end up in prison, and how ing the foundation forward. Of course, our Emerging Leaders Initiative. Our with appropriate investments, stra- our chairperson MEEKS and KILPATRICK apprenticeship program has been a tegic investments we can change that and G.K. BUTTERFIELD and really successful program. We had a lot pipeline to a cradle-to-college pipeline, CHRISTENSEN. of people that participated. We had which is so much better for humanity, Let me also commend our speaker high school students that participated; so much better for our communities, pro tempore this evening for the great we had college and recent graduates and that we could do that in a cost ef- work that YVETTE CLARKE, a new Mem- that came to this conference. And I fective way. ber from Brooklyn, who has come into look forward, Madam Chair, to future I participated in a budget forum this House and has brought vitality years where we can be able to continue where we had budget experts talk and excitement. And we know that she to have a successful weekend. This was about the fact that in 1993 we began will do an outstanding job as she moves obviously a large fund-raiser for our eliminating the deficit. By the year that district forward. It’s a great pleas- scholarship program, for our internship 2000 we had gone into surplus. And, in ure to have you with us. program. These are kids that wouldn’t fact, in 2001, we had a projected $5.5 Let me just say that I dealt with ordinarily have an opportunity to be a trillion surplus over 10 years, and how, three areas, BOBBY SCOTT, DANNY part of anything here in Washington, unfortunately, over the last few years DAVIS and our brain trust on edu- D.C., to serve as interns in Members’ we have converted that $5.5 trillion cation. Then I had the Head Start part. offices or committees. surplus to a $3 trillion deficit, a swing Then we had two other workshops and So everything happened the way that of $8.5 trillion. And how, with appro- brain trusts, one, ‘‘We Don’t Do Feb- it should. There are always things that priate changes and some of the changes ruary.’’ And that is about integrating we can work on to make it better next we’re trying to make in Congress African American history into the reg- year. But as it relates to the substance, today, we can change that back to ular curriculum so that when we hear Madam Chair, I am so pleased that peo- where we have the surplus and save So- about Patrick Henry and Nathan Hale, ple walked away with more knowledge cial Security, invest in health care, we will hear about Crispus Attucks and than when they walked in and were in- education and other important invest- Peter Salem. When we hear about the spired by what they heard. And I took ments. Rough Riders, we will know about the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:44 Nov 20, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 J:\CRONLINE\2007BA~1\2007NE~2\H01OC7.REC H01OC7 mmaher on MIKETEMP with CONG-REC-ONLINE October 1, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11057 Buffalo Soldiers. So the Amistad Com- ‘‘Forty Million Dollar Slaves,’’ and is a one here that a career in math, science or en- mittee of New Jersey is integrating Af- sportswriter for the New York Times. gineering can be fulfilling, challenging and fun. rican history into the regular text- And I particularly want to thank him Madam Speaker, more than 150 local, Afri- books. for taking care of the workshop while I can American high school students attended Then, of course, as you all know, we was required to be here on the floor my Braintrust, and many of them participated deal with the Africa brain trust, the voting on some other issues. It was a in the discussion by interacting directly with theme, ‘‘The New Africa: Opportunities great opportunity, and we talked about the panelists. and Challenges,’’ President Wade of a lot of issues around African Amer- It is my feeling that a few hearts and minds Senegal and former President Obasanjo ican athletes. were changed that day, in the Science Com- of Nigeria, and Under Secretary Hen- My second forum was focused on the mittee hearing room. If only one student was rietta Fore, Ambassador Ali, AU Am- declining enrollment of African Ameri- influenced toward a career in science, tech- bassador to the U.S. And we had Dr. cans in law schools across the Nation. nology, engineering or mathematics, I will be Adasena, who was representing Kofi My panel consisted of Christopher satisfied. This focus has been a major goal of Annan’s new group on the ‘‘Greening of Johnson of General Motors; Vanita my work as an elected official. Africa.’’ And Ambassador Lyman, Banks, the president-elect of the Na- In the 1990s, we responded to the digital former Ambassador from the U.S. to tional Bar Association; John age with breakthroughs in computer science South Africa and Nigeria. And Dr. Nussbaumer, associate dean of Thomas and information technology. Juma from Harvard talking about edu- Cooley Law School; Dwayne Murray, Tomorrow’s greatest challenge will be to cation. the Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha meet the needs of the Innovation Age. We So we really had standing room only. Psi; John Brittain, a lawyer from the must compete at a global level. I recall 19 years ago, when I started the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights; CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON’S brain trust, we had a difficult time. We Karen Weaver, associate dean for aca- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BRAINTRUST— used to run in the halls and just drag demic affairs and diversity; and Pau- EDUCATION AND SKILLS NEEDED FOR THE people, beg them to come in. Now, un- line Schneider, on behalf of the ABA. DIGITAL TO INNOVATION AGE less you’re there before 9 o’clock, She’s at Orrick & Harrington. PANEL ONE you’re not going to get a seat. So it And the quick issue around law EDUCATION AND SKILLS FOR TOMORROW’S HIGH- shows that the Congressional Black schools is that African Americans do TECH GRADUATE: Caucus, the constituency for Africa has have a decline in enrollment and that THE EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE grown very strong, and the members of ABA is responsible for accreditation. Moderator: Sam Ford, Reporter, ABC7/ the caucus are so supportive of the ef- So with that, Madam Speaker, I want WJLA-TV forts we’re doing, not only in Africa to yield back my time and say thank Panelists: Dr. Samuel Metters, CEO, but in the Caribbean. And in Latin you to Speaker PELOSI for giving the Metter Industries, Inc. Mr. Scott Mills, America, where Afro-Latinos are say- CBC this Special Order to focus on the President, BET Networks. Dr. Cheryl Shav- ing we want our share, too. We have, in ALC weekend. It’s not a party; it’s a ers, CEO, Global Smarts, Inc. Mr. John Brazil now, an affirmative action pro- legislative conference with great im- Thompson, Sr. VP and General Manager, BestBuy.com. gram where in their colleges, they will port for all people across the country. have to admit the qualified blacks Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. PANEL TWO who’ve been ignored, and in Columbia. Madam Speaker, last week the Congressional INNOVATORS AT THE CUTTING EDGE So we have seen in the ‘‘hands across Black Caucus Foundation held its 2007 An- Moderator: Derek Lloyd, Professor and the ocean,’’ as I often say, that the nual Legislative Conference. Senior Network Systems Engineer, Howard blood that connects us is much thicker Each year, I have convened the Science University. than the water that separates us. Panelists: Ms. Lyn Stanfield, Strategic Re- and Technology Braintrust. The Braintrust is a lations Manager, Apple Inc. Mr. Darrell So with that, I will yield back the discussion forum aimed at bringing together Davis, Director, DEA South Central Labora- balance of my time. America’s brightest minds to share idea on tory. Mr. Rob Garza and Mr. Eric Hilton, Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Thank you, how to diversify our science and technology Thievery Corporation band. Dr. Anna Congressman PAYNE, from the great workforce. McGowan, Manager, NASA Langley. State of New Jersey. I have remained committed to hosting this f I am going to close out this hour and Braintrust each year, because I believe that take these last couple minutes. One of engaging young people in the fields of science NEW FISCAL YEAR the things that you make a mistake and technology is one of the most important The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under about when you leave a Special Order things we can do for the future success of the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- is you yield to everybody, and you for- America. uary 18, 2007, the gentlewoman from get to talk about your own workshops. With India and China producing more than Tennessee (Mrs. BLACKBURN) is recog- So very quickly, I am going to talk five times the number of engineers, computer nized for 60 minutes as the designee of about the two workshops that I did. scientists and information technology profes- the minority leader. The first one was ‘‘African American sions in 2005 than we did, our nation is losing Mrs. BLACKBURN. It is such a pleas- Athletes: Roles, Representation, and its competitive edge. ure to come to the floor tonight as we Expectations.’’ It was a wonderful op- The Sciene Committee ushered through a start a new fiscal year for the U.S. portunity where I had the opportunity $33.6 billion package of Innovation policies Government. to host Jim Brown, the former Cleve- that are designed to help early career re- A new year is a time where you get land Browns player, renowned athlete, searchers, better train math and science to look back at what happened last to talk about things he has been doing teachers, and encourage industry and univer- year, where you get to redirect your around outreach and mentoring. I had sities to partner with local high schools to im- focus and talk about what your prior- Keven Davis, a partner at Garvey, prove science instruction. ities are going to be and the goals that Schubert & Barer, who provided an Having a dialogue with students and with you want to set. overview of how African American ath- the science education community is another 2045 letes are represented in financial trans- way to exchange ideas and assess the needs b actions. Carlos Flemming, a VP of of our population. Now, we all do that with our families IMG, who represents Venus and Serena My Braintrust consisted of two panels. The as we get to the end of the calendar Williams. Everett Glenn, the president first panel consisted of high-level individuals year and start the new calendar year in and CEO of Entertainment & Sports who have risen to great heights in technology January. It is a time that we enjoy. Plus, who is an agent. Ken Harvey, and engineering fields. They provided an ex- I hope for each of us, as Members of president and CEO of JAKA Con- ecutive perspective of the educational experi- the House, as we start this fiscal year, sulting, a former NFL player and a rep- ences that are needed for tomorrow’s high- that we will put some attention on resentative. Jacquelyn Nance, who is tech graduate to be globally competitive. what we spend and how we spend. the executive director of the LeBron Panel 2 featured bright, innovative minds Now, Madam Speaker, over the week- James Family Foundation. And finally, from individuals who work with technology in end, I had the opportunity to do a town William Rhoden, who is the author of unique ways. The goal was to convince every- hall with some of my constituents. We

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