H2128 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 18, 2013 comfort in song. She never leaves any- Soul Gospel Album. Believe, which included lights and not taillights. Leaders must one behind. the hit ‘‘Never Give Up’’ was released in 2001. lead. She had the privilege and honor of She would later go on to perform this song at More than 91 percent of the American giving to President Barack Obama and ‘‘The Salute to Gospel Music’’ at the White people say they want us to put strong adding to the song, ‘‘Yes We Can: House during President George W. Bush’s ad- background checks in place before Voices of a Grass Roots Movement.’’ ministration. Believe was certified Gold in someone can buy a gun in this country. She has sung the national anthem at 2002. The Divas Of Gospel, with Albertina This is not about preserving Second the BCS national championship foot- Walker, (Queen of Gospel), was also released Amendment rights; it is about saving ball game, as well as making a lot of in 2001. lives. other contributions to American Yolanda Adams recorded the song for the How many more little babies, how music. She is a supporter of music edu- 2003 hit film, Honey titled ‘‘I Believe’’ and was many more little children, how many cation for our children, the mother of a also a judge for the 2nd Annual Independent more American citizens must die of daughter, and, yes, a prominent Amer- Music Awards. gun violence? ican. Yolanda Adams’ song ‘‘Hold On’’ is included How many more funerals must we at- But I think what says the most about in a compilation in support of Barack Obama’s tend before we act? Yolanda Adams is that she never stops campaign entitled ‘Yes We Can: Voices of a The blood of the innocent is crying evangelizing and seeking to help those Grass Roots Movement’. out to us. Where is our courage? who are hopeless and in despair. She Yolanda Adams performed the National An- What happened to our heart? When will we have the guts to do brings joy to those who seek it and be- them at the 2009 BCS National Championship lieves that everyone is a child of God. what is right? football game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, We need to pass a strong gun bill, and I’m grateful to know Yolanda Adams Florida. and to claim her as a constituent of the pass it now. I want to thank Yolanda Adams for her The SPEAKER pro tempore. The great city of Houston and the great bountiful contribution to American music, Chair will remind all Members to re- State of Texas. But most of all, she is songs which have enriched our lives for a dec- frain from improper references to the an American and a believer and under- ade and cascade like the blessings from the Senate. stands the value of America’s freedom heaven above. f to be able to worship. She continues to Mr. Speaker, Yolanda Adams has sold 4.5 soldier on to save souls, and we’re de- million albums since 1991 according to SERVICEMEMBERS’ TELEMEDICINE lighted to have been able to have her Soundscan. Although she is proud of that AND E-HEALTH PORTABILITY ACT bless us this morning. achievement, she has said that her greatest (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a treasure is being a child of God. asked and was given permission to ad- great American artist. I wish to first thank Ms. f dress the House for 1 minute and to re- Adams for her thoughtful, and inspirational vise and extend his remarks.) prayer. As the representative of the 18th Dis- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. trict of Texas I am proud to say that she is a PRO TEMPORE Mr. Speaker, in the debate over the constituent and represents what is best about The SPEAKER pro tempore. The terrible acts of violence that have been the State of Texas. Chair will entertain five further re- committed upon innocent men, women, As was reflected in her prayer, Yolanda quests for 1-minute speeches on each and children, there is frequently one Adams through her music, has taught us to side of the aisle. common issue, that of mental health. embrace God’s grace and mercy, and for f As we all know, the profiles of the those who will listen, to stand in the sunlight perpetrators in many of the recent acts of joy as one looks toward the hopefulness of NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE of mass violence had histories of men- the future. (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was tal health illness. Deaths from suicide Yolanda Adams is an American Grammy given permission to address the House as well obviously have significant men- and Dove-award winning Gospel music singer for 1 minute and to revise and extend tal health implications. and radio show host. The oldest of six sib- her remarks.) The access barriers to mental health lings, Yolanda Adams was raised in Houston, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I services and the stigma associated with Texas. She graduated from Sterling High stand today to call attention to the seeking help are significant. The safety School in Houston in 1979. devastating impact that harassment of individuals living with these poten- After graduating from University of California and bullying have on LGBT students tially disturbing behaviors, family Berkeley, she began a career as a school- around our country. Bullying affects members and surrounding commu- teacher and part-time model in Houston, LGBT teens every day in emotional, nities, deserves a more robust mental Texas. Eventually she gave up teaching to be- psychological, and physical ways, and health system responsive to these come a professional singer. can even lead to suicide. Statistics issues. Her enormous talent attracted the attention show that 30 percent of LGBT youth at- Now I’m proud to be the author of of Thomas Whitfield and Sound of Gospel tempt suicide near the age of 15. one of the only new laws in recent Records which signed her recording contract While tomorrow has been designated years to expand access to mental and released her first album, Just As I Am in as National Day of Silence, bullies do health services and reduce the stigma 1987. In 1990, she released her second not stop when the calendar turns. We of seeking help. The STEP Act, or the album, Through The Storm, released by Trib- must all work together if we hope to Servicemembers’ Telemedicine and E- une Records. deter and defeat bullying. I would like Health Portability Act, expands access Songs from the Heart, her album released to take a moment of silence in honor of to care in a confidential manner, through Verity Records, featured the inspira- those who are harassed and those who through telemedicine. tional ‘‘Only Believe,’’ ‘‘Still I Rise,’’ a song have passed away due to this repeated While the STEP Act serves only our dedicated to Rosa Parks and inspired by and aggressive behavior. Active Duty, Reserve and Guard, it Maya Angelou’s poem of the same name. provides a template that can be ex- f ‘‘Fragile Heart,’’ was dedicated to the mem- panded to all those living with mental ory of Yolanda’s long time road manager who b 1010 health issues. died in 1998. Her album ‘‘Mountain High . . . f Valley Low’’ in 1999 extended her popularity WHERE IS OUR COURAGE? and appeal outside the urban contemporary (Mr. LEWIS asked and was given per- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE gospel arena. The album went Platinum in mission to address the House for 1 MORE 2000 and won her a Grammy Award. Notable minute and to revise and extend his re- (Mr. LARSON of Connecticut asked singles from the album include ‘‘Yeah,’’ ‘‘Frag- marks.) and was given permission to address ile Heart,’’ and ‘‘Open My Heart.’’ Mr. LEWIS. Mr. Speaker, what hap- the House for 1 minute and to revise In 2001, Yolanda Adams released a live pened on the floor of the other body and extend his remarks.) album, The Experience, which won her a sec- yesterday is a shame and a disgrace. Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. ond Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Leaders of this country must be head- Speaker, I rise to associate myself with

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