February 1, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H421 for New Hampshire Recovery, are do- rorist attacks and the same Iran who ment benefits through an arbitrary for- nating their time and energy to supply awards medals for the capture of U.S. mula called the windfall elimination our State with more treatment options soldiers. Despicable. provision, which can reduce their So- as Federal, State, and local govern- It is abundantly clear that Iran is not cial Security checks by up to $413 a ments develop better solutions. to be trusted, and we must prevent month. In Congress we created the bipartisan rogue nations from becoming stronger. That is why I have cosponsored and task force to combat the heroin epi- The administration needs to imme- why I strongly support H.R. 711, the demic to help develop these types of so- diately reverse its course and hold Equal Treatment of Public Servants lutions, and I praise these individuals those supporting terrorist efforts ac- Act, to reduce and to eliminate the for their selflessness. countable. windfall elimination provision. f In the name of national security, I I urge my colleagues to take it up for urge my colleagues in the House to join a vote as soon as possible so that we HONORING MARGARET DUNLEAVY me in voting in favor of this crucial can ensure that our public servants re- (Mr. BISHOP of Michigan asked and and timely piece of legislation. ceive both the Social Security benefits was given permission to address the f and the pensions that they most cer- House for 1 minute and to revise and tainly have earned. HONORING JULIA AARON extend his remarks.) f Mr. BISHOP of Michigan. Mr. Speak- HUMBLES er, I rise today to reflect on the career (Mr. RICHMOND asked and was given CONGRATULATING DARYL VEATCH of an outstanding public servant in my permission to address the House for 1 (Mrs. HARTZLER asked and was district, Margaret Dunleavy. minute and to revise and extend his re- given permission to address the House Mrs. Dunleavy retired at the end of marks.) for 1 minute.) 2015 after serving Livingston County as Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I just Mrs. HARTZLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise their clerk for 19 years. In her capacity want to take a second to recognize a today in admiration of a leader in Mis- as county clerk, Mrs. Dunleavy has civil rights hero and New Orleans na- souri’s Fourth District, Mr. Daryl been responsible for overseeing elec- tive who recently passed away: Julia Veatch. tions in the county as well as main- Aaron Humbles. Daryl has served tirelessly to provide taining vital records and all circuit An active participant in the civil reliable light and energy to Missouri court records. She was first elected in rights movement from an early age, members of the Osage Valley Electric 1996, and the voters of Livingston she was selected to be on the first Free- Cooperative, of which I am a lifelong County chose her as their clerk in four dom Ride bus at the age of 18, which member. After 43 years, Mr. Veatch has additional elections. was ultimately firebombed outside An- resigned his position as the general Her role as county clerk was not Mrs. niston, Alabama. manager of Osage Valley in Butler, Dunleavy’s first public service experi- She wasn’t on that bus. She was, in Missouri. ence. She previously served as the fact, in Orleans Parish prison because His passion for excellence was seen Hartland Township, Michigan, clerk she was arrested for picketing outside throughout all of his work: from the and deputy clerk. a segregated Woolworth’s department beginning at Grundy Electric Coopera- Mrs. Dunleavy will be remembered as store. tive, where he served as a clerk, to his a hardworking, professional, ethical, Julia was constantly testing the tenure as the president of the Missouri and highly qualified clerk. I am thank- rules of segregation in New Orleans. Electric Cooperative Human Resources ful to have had the opportunity to She is quoted as saying: I was the kind Association, the Accountants Associa- work with her, and I wish her all the of kid that would move up the colored tion, and a member of the Public Rela- best in her future retirement. sign on the buses. I would use the tions Committee. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rep- White restroom or water fountain. If I This year Daryl was honored with the resent such a dedicated public servant got caught, I would say flippantly that esteemed A.C. Burrows Award given by in Michigan’s Eighth District. I just wanted to taste that White the Association of Missouri Electric Thank you, Mrs. Dunleavy, for your water, and then I would run. Cooperatives for his leadership above commitment to Livingston County. Julia passed away on January 26 in and beyond the call of duty to f Stone Mountain, Georgia, of cancer. strengthen and improve the economic She was 72 years old. Our country is a and social conditions of his commu- IRAN TERROR FINANCE much better place because of the sac- nity. TRANSPARENCY ACT rifices Julia made during her lifetime. Part of going above and beyond for (Mr. ALLEN asked and was given Our sympathies and prayers are with Daryl was being actively involved as a permission to address the House for 1 her family today. leader on the local Butler R-V School minute and to revise and extend his re- f Board, the area Chamber of Commerce, marks.) and his Rotary Club. Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, today I EQUAL TREATMENT OF PUBLIC Thank you for giving your life to the rise in support of the Iran Terror Fi- SERVANTS ACT, H.R. 711 service of the citizens of Missouri’s nance Transparency Act. This impor- (Mr. RATCLIFFE asked and was Fourth District. I congratulate you on tant legislation prevents sanctions given permission to address the House a job well done. I look forward to hear- from being lifted from banks and indi- for 1 minute and to revise and extend ing of the continued impact you will viduals who are connected to terrorism his remarks.) have in and for our community. or Iran’s weapons development pro- Mr. RATCLIFFE. Mr. Speaker, I am f gram. humbled to represent thousands of AN HOUR OF POWER We do not need to be rewarding bad teachers, firefighters, and law enforce- actors that are helping Iran become a ment officers across the Fourth Dis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under nuclear state and continue to be the trict of Texas who have dedicated their the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- world’s leading state sponsor of ter- careers to public service. uary 6, 2015, the gentlewoman from rorism. As the son of two schoolteachers and Ohio (Mrs. BEATTY) is recognized for 60 Recently Iran made headlines by con- as a former law enforcement official minutes as the designee of the minor- ducting two ballistic missile tests, al- myself, I have a personal and deep-felt ity leader. ready violating the deal that the Presi- appreciation for those who shape fu- GENERAL LEAVE dent forced on the American people ture generations by educating our chil- Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I ask earlier this year. Disappointingly, we dren and protecting the communities unanimous consent that all Members have heard nothing from the adminis- where we live. be given 5 legislative days to revise and tration. Right now there are nearly 900,000 of extend their remarks and add any ex- This is the same Iran who funnels these public servants who are being un- traneous materials relevant to the sub- money to Hezbollah to finance ter- justly denied their hard-earned retire- ject matter of this discussion.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:26 Feb 02, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01FE7.046 H01FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H422 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 1, 2016 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there President delivered a speech filled with Black Caucus continues to work on be- objection to the request of the gentle- hope and optimism, reminding us that cause if, in fact, we address those woman from Ohio? we, the people—emphasizing all peo- issues, as you know, that the most vul- There was no objection. ple—want opportunity and security for nerable are dealing with each and Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, it is an our families. It was a message of a bet- every day, we will strengthen America, honor and a privilege for me to rise ter future, fairness, and democracy for and so our country will be stronger. I this evening as co-chair, along with my all Americans because we rise or fall thank both of them for making sure distinguished colleague who represents together, Mr. Speaker. that we are doing that. the Eighth District of New York, Con- President Obama continues to re- We celebrate tonight the start of gressman HAKEEM JEFFRIES, for this mind us that ours is a nation bounded Black History Month, but I would like Congressional Black Caucus Special by a common creed and that our Amer- to reflect quickly again what we are Order hour, an hour of power, address- ican values of equality, fairness, and doing tonight on Dr. Martin Luther ing the state of our Union, Dr. King’s justice should be available to all, not King, Jr.’s dream of true democracy. dream, and today’s African American just a fortunate few. Far too long peo- In his famous speech, ‘‘I Have a message. ple and communities of color continue Dream,’’ let me just quote here what Congressman JEFFRIES is a scholar, a to be left behind when we discuss he asked the American people to do. He distinguished member of the Judiciary equality, fairness, and justice. said: Committee. He continues to be a tire- In the 48 years since his death, while ‘‘To make real the promises of de- less advocate for social and economic we have made some strides in con- mocracy. Now is the time to rise from justice, working hard to reform our fronting injustices and ending unequal the dark and desolate valley of seg- criminal justice system, improve the treatment, there is still work to be regation to the sunlit path of racial economy for hardworking Americans, done. Our Nation is still plagued by the justice. ‘‘Now is the time to open the doors of and to make college more affordable vestiges of segregation and unequal opportunity to all God’s children. laws and policies, evident today in for all. Most importantly, he is some- ‘‘Now is the time to lift our Nation one that I am proud to follow and he is Flint, Michigan, and its lack of clean from the quicksands of racial injustice my colleague. drinking water; in it being harder, not to the solid rock of brotherhood.’’ Of Today we come to educate and to dis- easier, to exercise the constitutional course and sisterhood. cuss some of the many contributions right to vote through voter disenfran- As I think about his powerful words and accomplishments in American his- chisement; Black men being killed in going into Black History Month and tory that African Americans etched Ferguson, Baltimore, Chicago, and my his challenge for America to live up to into the cornerstone of this America, State of Ohio; inequities in health care, her highest ideals, we must reflect on Mr. Speaker, that they helped change. poverty, and in our failing schools. how far we have come and where we The Congressional Black Caucus is and But, Mr. Speaker, the time is now for need to go. continues to be a part of that change. us to work together to protect the Now, of course, the right to vote is As we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther most at risk among us, to defend the the bedrock of our democracy, which King, Jr., whose holiday we recently foundation of our democracy, and to Dr. King reminded us of when he said: observed, thanks to our Congressional expand opportunity for all people. ‘‘Give us the ballot, and we will fill our Black Caucus colleague, Congressman However, Republican leadership fails legislative halls with men and women JOHN CONYERS, the dean, who worked to act and refuses to bring up Voting of goodwill.’’ In his honor, we must tirelessly to have the day observed as a Rights Advancement Act, a bipartisan pass the Voting Rights Advancement Federal holiday, we pause to reflect on piece of legislation, for an up-or-down Act, H.R. 2867, introduced by a great our progress and our history not only vote. woman, a member of the Congressional to remember, but to acknowledge, our Tonight, Mr. Speaker, we will hear Black Caucus, Congresswoman TERRI unfinished work. from our Congressional Black Caucus SEWELL. Congressional Black Caucus members colleagues on the state of our Union In 1967 Dr. King explained the under- and other colleagues with constituents and where we go from here. I welcome lying nature of the challenges facing across the country participated in holi- the dialogue and the debate. our country in his book ‘‘Where Do We day services, programs, marches, and Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor and Go From Here: Chaos Or Community?’’ many other events last week. This was privilege to yield to Congresswoman he talked about these triple evils. He not a day off, Mr. Speaker, but a day BARBARA LEE from the 13th District of wrote about poverty, racism, and war. on in the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy. California. We know her as a fearless He said they are the forms of violence Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity advocate, fighting to eliminate pov- that exist in a vicious cycle in our to join some 4,000 constituents in my erty. We know her as someone who has country. He says: ‘‘They are inter- district in Columbus for the Nation’s a history of representing not only the related, all-inclusive, and stand as bar- largest Martin Luther King breakfast people of her district but the people of riers to our living in the beloved com- celebration. America. I have had the opportunity to munity. When we work to remedy one witness this firsthand, as I serve on her evil, we affect all evils.’’ b 1930 committee when she fights to end the So we must come together as never As I sat there, I was reminded of his War on Poverty. It is my honor to ask before to address these issues that in- words that we live by and that we are Congresswoman BARBARA LEE to bring fect our communities in order for our guided by: ‘‘Faith is taking the first her message to us tonight. Nation to move beyond the quicksands step, even when you don’t see the Ms. LEE. Let me first thank Con- of racial and economic injustice. whole staircase.’’ Later I had the op- gresswoman BEATTY for her very kind Of course, the first of these evils is portunity to join hundreds of folks to and humbling remarks, but also for her poverty, a harsh reality lived every day march in freezing weather, singing ‘‘We tremendous leadership on so many by more than 46 million Americans. Shall Overcome.’’ issues, not only since she has been here Our Joint Economic Committee report, Today we also mark the beginning of in Congress, but before she came rep- championed by Congresswoman MALO- the observation of Black History resenting her constituents, and really NEY and the Congressional Black Cau- Month, to celebrate giants in civil looking out for, speaking out for, and cus, demonstrated and showed that Af- rights, in the civil rights movement, as working for the most vulnerable in our rican Americans are disproportionately well as labor and education, transpor- society. affected by the scourge of poverty. The tation, the arts, and the service move- I am really proud of what she is poverty rate in our community is 27 ment. doing with the Congressional Black percent. One in three African American As we reflect on Dr. King’s dream, Caucus, also Congressman JEFFRIES for kids live in poverty. One in five kids in just a few weeks ago President Barack continuing to organize these important the entire country live in poverty. Pov- Obama from this House floor, Mr. sessions really to beat the drum and to erty rates throughout our country are Speaker, delivered his final State of allow our country to understand what much too high for everyone, and we the Union Address. In his address, the the issues are that the Congressional know how to eliminate poverty.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:26 Feb 02, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01FE7.048 H01FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE February 1, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H423 Our assistant leader, a member of the opportunities that are the American While the success of individuals Congressional Black Caucus, a great opportunities to allow us to live the should rightfully be celebrated, until human being who has worked so hard American Dream. the richest nation on the planet in the to eliminate poverty for so many years Congresswoman BEATTY and Con- history of the world has figured out has come up with a formula that would gressman JEFFRIES, I just want to how to address poverty, income in- target resources to those rural and thank you for arranging the time for equality, and provide opportunity for urban communities with the highest us to talk tonight. We have real solu- everyone to succeed in our Nation, Dr. rates of persistent poverty. tions. You have real solutions. Every King’s dream is a dream deferred. We have our Half in Ten Act, which member of the Congressional Black Dr. King would have been so proud to establishes a national strategy to cut Caucus has real solutions to end pov- have been at the inauguration of the poverty in half over the next decade. erty, to end racism, and to end war. first African American President, but That is more than 22 million Ameri- During Black History Month, we he would have been horrified to see a cans lifted into the middle class in just need to recommit ourselves to all of man achieve that level of success, be- 10 years by coordinating local, State, the solutions that members of the Con- coming the most powerful man in the and Federal anti-poverty programs. gressional Black Caucus, and Members world, and still be subjected to doubt- Likewise, our Pathways Out of Pov- of this body as a whole, have if the po- ers who ask to see his birth certificate, erty Act is a comprehensive anti-pov- litical will were there so we can honor questioning if he was actually an erty bill that starts by creating good- the legacy of those who came before us American, obviously code for ‘‘he paying jobs while redoubling our in- during Black History Month. By hon- might be the President, but he is still vestments in proven programs that em- oring them, we say we are going to not one of us’’; asking to see his college power families to build pathways out of pick up that mantle and really address transcripts, questioning if his academic poverty into the middle class. these triple evils once and for all. success was legitimate. Of course, Dr. King mentioned the Mrs. BEATTY. Thank you so much, Dr. King would be horrified to learn second evil, which is racism. While ra- Congresswoman LEE, for reminding us the number of hate groups. White su- cial barriers and biases are endemic of the work we have to do to strength- premacist organizations exploded after through our society, they are very and en our America and for giving us those the election of the first African Amer- most apparent in our broken criminal facts that clearly point out the bar- ican President of the United States. He justice system. It is high time that we riers that we have and also the dispari- would have been shocked to hear that work to fix our criminal justice system ties when you look at 70 percent of our leaders in our country actually pub- that far too often fails African Ameri- men being incarcerated, yet we don’t licly stated that they would do every- cans. Yes, Black lives matter. make up 70 percent of the population. thing they could, including hurting the So today in America, an African Thank you for reminding us of all the national economy, to ensure that the American is killed by a security offi- work and the words of Martin Luther Nation’s first African American Presi- cer, police officer, or self-proclaimed King because you are so right. To sum dent did not serve a second term. vigilante every 28 hours. That is nearly it up in his words: injustice anywhere b 1945 once a day. One in three Black men can is an injustice everywhere. plan to spend at least some part of Thank you. We will continue that Dr. King would have been overjoyed their life behind bars, and men of color work. when this President was reelected to a make up 70 percent of the U.S. prison Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor and second term, so that no one could say population. Let me say that again. privilege to yield to Congresswoman the first time was an aberration. Dr. Seventy percent of the U.S. prison pop- KAREN BASS from the 37th District of King would have been so proud of the ulation are men of color. That is sim- California. It is a great honor for me millions of people who withstood at- ply outrageous. because she is certainly not only a tempts to block their right to vote and Now, we have ended legal segrega- leader, but an advocate domestically to know that thousands were willing to tion. Our first African American Presi- and globally for young girls. As a mat- stand for hours to make sure they dent is serving his second term in the ter of fact, when I think of her work voted and reelected President Obama. White House. Our Attorney General, across this Nation in foster care, I call Dr. King would have celebrated the Loretta Lynch, serves as our first Afri- her the Sojourner Truth of foster care. creation of a program to provide health can American female Attorney Gen- When I think of her leadership, it is coverage for the majority of people in eral. But so much must be done to important for me to remind folks that the Nation. He would have celebrated achieve the dream of liberty and jus- she was the first African American fe- the fact that this was accomplished in tice for all. male to be Speaker of the House of the the first term of President Obama’s ad- Dr. King told us over and over again great State of California. Today it is ministration. that we live in two Americas. This was indeed my honor to yield to Congress- Dr. King would have celebrated the in 1967, in one of his speeches. The woman BASS. fact that when the law was signed by Kerner Commission report still de- Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I want to President Obama, for the first time, in- scribes American society today. We thank Congresswoman BEATTY. I want surance companies could no longer have got to really look at our history to congratulate her for her leadership refuse to provide coverage for people if and acknowledge and honor the legacy that she has displayed since day one of they had an illness or a preexisting of those who really brought us this far. coming to the House of Representa- condition. But when you look at the statistics and tives, and knowing of her leadership in Just think for a minute. Prior to the what is taking place now in commu- the State of Ohio, serving as the leader Affordable Care Act, insurance compa- nities of color and the African Amer- of the legislature in Ohio. nies excluded you from coverage if you ican community, it just shows us what I want to acknowledge my colleague had a preexisting condition. There were we have to do. We have a long way to HAKEEM JEFFRIES. I have always appre- examples of babies born prematurely go. ciated his leadership in the committees that were excluded from coverage be- Dr. King finally spoke of war. He as well as his leadership within the cause their premature birth and the as- talked about the fact that our Nation House. I am glad that he is very much sociated complications were considered continues to be involved in endless a part of our Caucus. a preexisting condition. wars, and communities are suffering I know our theme today is: ‘‘The And, frankly, almost everyone after a the costs. The Pentagon consumes 60 State of Our Union: Have We Achieved certain age has one preexisting condi- percent of discretionary spending com- Dr. King’s Dream?’’ I have to say that tion or another—hypertension, high pared to 11 percent that we spend on the state of our union is a mixed bag. cholesterol, et cetera. Prior to passage education, job creation, and resources Have we achieved Dr. King’s dream? As of healthcare reform, aging, essen- to help our young people live the life a nation, we haven’t, but if we look at tially, was a reason to exclude individ- that they so deserve in terms of being the success of individuals, many indi- uals from coverage. educated and providing workforce viduals have achieved remarkable lev- While Dr. King would have celebrated training, housing, health care, all the els of success. this victory, he would have been

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:26 Feb 02, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01FE7.051 H01FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H424 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 1, 2016 shocked to know Congress has voted In every area in society, there are ity to believe that peoples everywhere over 60 times to take health care away successful individuals. There are 48 Af- can have three meals a day for their from people and to reverse this ad- rican American Members of Congress. bodies, education and culture for their vance. If the Affordable Care Act was The year before his death, there were minds, and dignity, equality, and free- repealed, then the parents of the pre- only five African Americans in Con- dom for their spirits.’’ mature baby and the adult over 60 with gress. So why do I say that dream is in dis- high blood pressure would not have But Dr. King would wonder what is repair? Well, inadequate funding and health care. holding our Nation back from making misguided policies stand as a bar to On another subject, Dr. King would sure every American has access to the many kids of color from getting a qual- wonder: How on Earth did his country American Dream. With all the techno- ity education, just like Bull Connor end up incarcerating more people than logical advances, advances in science stood in the schoolhouse doors during any other nation in the world? And and education, how can it be that peo- the civil rights movement. how is it that the majority of people ple are hungry in America, that too Why do I say the dream is in dis- incarcerated in the United States are many children continue to go to poor, repair? Because too many African poor and are people of color? segregated schools, and that there are American children have better access As a man of faith, as a teacher of the homeless encampments that exist in to guns and drugs than textbooks and Bible, he would wonder what happened most major cities? computers. Far too many of them to the concept of redemption in our so- Although his dream for our Nation is choose guns and drugs. ciety. How did we become a society only partially realized, I believe now it Why do I say the dream is in dis- that punished people forever? What is our responsibility to continue the repair? Because the Supreme Court happened to the belief that, if you of- work and to continue the struggle rolled back the protections for minor- fended society and then paid your debt until there is no such thing as home- ity voting rights. Why do I say the dream is in dis- to society, you were expected and ac- lessness in the richest nation on the repair? Because in a Supreme Court cepted to reenter society with your full planet, until all children have access to hearing on minority admission policies rights? a 21st century education, until poverty to colleges and universities, one of our How did we evolve into a nation that is eliminated and the safety net is Supreme Court Justices demonstrated basically said we will punish you for strong enough that no one in our Na- his bias, his ignorance, and his lack of your entire life? Because even though tion slips through the cracks. understanding by trying to justify why 85 percent of people incarcerated are Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, thank Blacks should go to lesser colleges and eventually released, we can strip away you again to Congresswoman KAREN universities. your right to vote. You cannot live in BASS for reminding us of all the great Why is the dream in disrepair? Be- public housing; and if your family lives riches that we have in this society, but cause the Black Supreme Court Justice in public housing, then you can’t go also for putting on the forefront that sat there and said nothing. Well, if I home. our work is not finished. There is hope. were in college and I were playing If you were in prison and you owed Because we have learned that through Spades, I would call him a ‘‘possible,’’ child support, well, we just kept the having a President who stands on the because you can’t count on him to hold clock running on what you owed even shoulders of another great man—Mar- up when the game starts. though you were in prison and, of tin Luther King. Why do I also say the dream is in dis- course, could not work to pay child Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my honor repair? Because big Wall Street execu- support. You owed the money anyway. and privilege to yield to the gentleman tives can steel millions and never get And, of course, when you were re- from Louisiana (Mr. RICHMOND), who charged and held accountable while leased, you are then behind in child hails from the Second District of Lou- young Black kids who shoplift get support. And because you are behind isiana. He is someone who is fearless prosecuted and fill up our jails and our because you could not work while in- and not afraid to speak up, but he prisons and create what we call the carcerated, we will not give you a driv- doesn’t speak in vain. He speaks with a prison industrial enterprise. er’s license. And if you are from Los platform—whether that platform is to Some ask: Why do the poor and Angeles and cannot drive, you can for- discuss reforming our broken prison uneducated continue to steal and get about having a decent-paying job, system, whether it is to talk about cheat? Well, the answer is simple: Be- because those jobs certainly don’t exist HBCUs, or whether it is to be a role cause the rich and educated keep show- in your neighborhood. model—and he knows a lot about that ing them how. Furthermore, if you don’t find a job, because he is a natural leader. When he So, as we stand here this month and we just might violate your parole and took office in the State legislature, he celebrate Black History Month, we will put you back in prison, because a con- was one of the youngest legislators to not only describe some of the problems, dition of your parole is that you have a ever serve. but we will go into some of the solu- job. But then, since you are a felon, we So it is indeed my honor to call Con- tions that have been tested over time. will not allow you to work anyway. gressman CEDRIC RICHMOND a colleague Let me just say that Dr. King and the In California, until we changed the and friend. generation before us did a great job of law, there were 56 occupations you Mr. RICHMOND. I want to thank the making this dream a reality through could not participate in if you were a gentlelady and scholar for yielding to sacrifice, hard work, and commitment, felon. One of those occupations we even me and putting on this series tonight. but somewhere in my generation, we trained you for while you were in pris- Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks ago, on fell off from that sacrifice and deter- on. We have a school that trains pris- January 12, right here in this Chamber, mination. oners to be barbers. But when you were President Obama proudly declared to Far too many of us are letting re- released, we didn’t allow ex-offenders the citizens of the United States that ality shows and music videos give our to have a license in the very occupa- the state of our Union is strong. With children their misguided sense of mor- tion we trained you for—until we that, I agree. However, tonight, just as als. Too many of our African American changed the law. I did in New Orleans on this holiday, I and White middle-class families who I think Dr. King would be thoroughly must stand here and give the state of have achieved the dream are excited confused by the contradictions he the dream address. that they are there, but they are tell- would see in America today. We have So, today, I stand in this Chamber ing the rest of the world to get it the amazingly successful individuals, thou- and report to the world that the state best they can. sands of African Americans and other of the dream is in disrepair. It is in dis- The dream can be realized when ev- people of color in elected office or in repair because of neglect by some and eryone realizes that you are not going other major positions of authority. intentional harms by others. to help minority communities in spite They are CEOs of companies, astro- Let me first just state what I believe of the minority communities, but we nauts, athletes, college presidents, en- his dream to be. This is in his own are going to bring them to the table tertainers on every level, actors, pro- words. In accepting the Nobel Peace and let them be a co-participant in ducers, directors. Prize, Dr. King said: ‘‘I have the audac- drafting their accomplishments.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:26 Feb 02, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01FE7.053 H01FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE February 1, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H425 So, where do we go from here? We Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me Dr. King was about equal opportunity continue to invest in proven leaders begin by thanking my classmates, Con- for every man and woman. He discussed and proven ways out of poverty and gresswoman JOYCE BEATTY and Con- problems in Appalachia, he discussed ways to get ahead, like education. We gressman HAKEEM JEFFRIES, for an- problems in the South, and he dis- have to invest in the Pell grants and choring these important Special Order cussed problems in the North. our Historically Black Colleges and hours for the Congressional Black Cau- So, yes, his main focus was the Afri- Universities because we know that edu- cus. can American community. But injus- cation is the best way out of poverty. Since her arrival here in Congress, tice somewhere is injustice anywhere, We have to invest in summer jobs so Congresswoman BEATTY has dem- and he lived that motto. He would be that kids in urban areas and impover- onstrated why she was a leader in Ohio, happy for some reasons, but in other ished communities can get exposure to and she has become a great leader in areas he would be very disappointed. a different way of life so that they can the House of Representatives. So it is our job to continue to push help themselves. We know that a sum- towards that dream, and we here in the mer job reduces the dropout rate by 50 b 2000 Congressional Black Caucus are com- percent. Mr. Speaker, Dr. King envisioned for mitted to pushing forward to see his What else can we do? We can invest this Nation a future of vast potential, dream realized. in job training. We can invest in dis- a future where every man and woman Mrs. BEATTY. Thank you, Congress- advantaged businesses. We can do a and child would have the opportunity man PAYNE, for bringing us those number of things. And the good part to get ahead, free from the constraints words of wisdom and reminding us of about it is we have a Congressional of injustice and intolerance. the epidemics that face us, the failures Black Caucus that can stand here and What we see happening across our that we have experienced, but leaving introduce legislation if the other side country shows how far we still have to us with the hope of pushing forward would meet us halfway. go to achieve Dr. King’s dream. From and helping to realize Martin Luther So, the state of our union will con- gun violence to racial wealth gaps, King’s dream. tinue to be strong. The state of the from lack of diversity to persistent Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my honor dream will become a reality when peo- poverty, there are still critical issues now to yield to the freshman of our ple join hands together to make sure affecting our communities that must group, someone who may be a freshman that the least of us have every oppor- be addressed. by our description, but someone who is tunity in the world. In 2015, there were at least 76 gun not a stranger. I will tell you that the dream was deaths in my district in New Jersey, Whether it is advocating for jobs for strong. The dream is the same dream the Tenth Congressional District. One- veterans, whether it is looking at eco- that allowed my mother, who is from third of all the gun deaths in New Jer- nomic development and opportunities the poorest place in the country, 1 of 15 sey last year happened in my district. for those who are in struggling econo- children, to achieve her college degree If we don’t do something to tackle mies, she comes to us as a lawyer, she and raise two sons who went off to this epidemic, then we are failing our comes to us as a mother and a public Morehouse. So the dream is real when children. We are failing the next gen- servant. She is someone who stands tall in her I, as the son of a single mother, can go eration, to give them the hope and the words of wisdom and someone’s voice to Morehouse, Tulane Law School, and possibilities of being a positive part of that we have learned to listen to. the Harvard School of Government. this community, such as we saw in That is the dream. She hails to us as the Delegate from Congressman CEDRIC RICHMOND. So I stand here today and just ask the Virgin Islands. Join me in wel- In my district, African Americans that we do what Booker T. Washington coming Congresswoman STACY face unemployment rates nearly triple said. We may be as separate as our fin- PLASKETT for her words of wisdom. that of White workers. Generations of gers, but we are as whole as the hand. Ms. PLASKETT. Thank you so much African American workers are being This body has an obligation to come for allowing me this opportunity to be left behind, without a fair shot at suc- together as the hand and make sure here with my colleagues. cess. The economic prosperity and the that we give every kid from every place Mr. Speaker, I am so humbled and American Dream are on hold for many in this country the opportunity to suc- honored to be with the gentlewoman African American communities. ceed. from Ohio, JOYCE BEATTY, who is an ex- Mrs. BEATTY. I thank Congressman Instead of working to address these ample to us freshmen and who fights, RICHMOND for reminding us that you challenges facing our communities, Re- along with the gentleman of New York, bring hope. Your experience shows that publicans continue their assault on HAKEEM JEFFRIES, not just for the peo- there is opportunity. Because cer- women’s health by trying to defund ple of their district and not just for Af- tainly, we know that there are fewer Planned Parenthood. rican Americans, but for all Ameri- Black students graduating from high On the other hand, Democrats are cans, because that is what we are all school. Sixteen percent of Blacks drop working on bold, aggressive action that here in this Congress to do. out, compared to 8 percent of our will have an immediate impact on the By pointing out the inequalities, it is White counterparts. challenges facing African Americans. not to cast aspersions on all of Amer- Mr. Speaker, can you tell me how I have tried to do my part here in ica, but to make us to be better people much time I have remaining. Congress. My Safer Neighborhoods Gun than what we are today. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Buyback Act would create a voluntary When Dr. King so eloquently deliv- tlewoman has 30 minutes remaining. Federal gun buyback program to keep ered his famous ‘‘I Have a Dream’’ Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, it is now guns out of the wrong hands. That is speech 50 years ago, he did so with my honor and privilege to yield to my just one measure that we have to look every hope and expectation that that colleague from the 10th District of New at. Nation would rise up and live out the Jersey (Mr. PAYNE). He is someone who But in talking about Dr. King’s true meaning of that creed. He hoped is a great example of a committed pub- dream, it reminds me of A Tale of Two that the tenet all men are created lic servant. He is someone who puts Cities. This is the best of times and the equal would, in fact, one day be a truth others before himself. When you want worst of times. held self-evident. to call on him, he is someone that will Yes, we have seen an African Amer- We cannot allow simply moving past sit and quietly listen to you, and then ican rise to the pinnacle of success in the glaring bigotries of Jim Crow, how- a few minutes later he will give you this country in public service in Presi- ever, to be a benchmark for success. probably one of the most profound an- dent Barack Obama. Dr. King would be Doing so would ignore the more subtle swers that one could look for. I am very proud of that. bigotries that continue today. proud to not only call him my col- But he would be upset to see the These subtle bigotries are, in fact, as league, but I am also proud to call him other part, the despair that our com- deeply rooted and extreme in their ef- my classmate. munities are in without the opportuni- fect as those glaring bigotries Dr. King It is my honor to ask Congressman ties to raise their children as other and so many others fought vigorously DONALD PAYNE to bring his reflections. communities do. and valiantly to overcome.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:26 Feb 02, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01FE7.054 H01FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H426 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 1, 2016 We are still achieving the dream. legislation to invest in infrastructure Earlier today I made the observation Today it is not just social injustice, and education through fighting against that this is the first day of Black His- but also extreme inequality that con- voter suppression efforts and sup- tory Month. Essentially, black history strains economic mobility for the Afri- porting student loans and other finance is American history. The two are for- can American community and, there- reforms. ever intertwined. That is why the sub- fore, for all of America. Closing the wealth and opportunity ject matter of this special order is of Whether it is State-sanctioned at- gap should not be a dream in post-ra- particular importance. tempts to roll back voting rights in cial America. It is the responsibility of Dr. King once made the observation Alabama, the outright denial of equal this Congress to uphold the principles that the arc of the moral universe is voting rights to citizens living in the to which we were founded, to not only long, but it bends toward justice. Virgin Islands and other territories, or adhere to those powerful words that b 2015 the years of neglect that have led to preamble our Constitution, but also to I think what Dr. King was saying is the poisoning of residents in Flint, provide for the general welfare and en- that in this world you have got some Michigan, the persistent wealth and sure that justice, liberty, and pros- good folks and you have got some bad opportunity divide in this country is perity are afforded to all and not just actors. But in order for justice to pre- rooted in the legacy of racial discrimi- some. vail, what you essentially need is a fair nation dating back to Reconstruction Mrs. BEATTY. Thank you to the gen- tlewoman from the Virgin Islands. Let amount of the good folks to come to- and to slavery, indeed. gether, sacrifice, work hard, and dedi- Although we have achieved much me just say thank you for making us cate themselves to the cause of social since the days of separate, but equal, have a better understanding that we change, and at the end of the day jus- there are still structural barriers to cannot do this alone and we have so much more work to do. tice will prevail. achieving the American Dream for too Make no mistake that in the United many minority families in this coun- Mr. Speaker, tonight’s Special Orders hour hopefully will share with this in- States of America, of course, it has try. been a long and complicated march. We There is racial disparity in nearly stitution the amount of work that we have yet to do. But I believe in hope certainly have come a long way, but we every index of the American Dream, still have a long way to go. During the and those disparities place families of and opportunity for all. So when I listen to the great legacy founding of the Republic back in 1776, color further behind in their plight to that those who have come before us, in the DNA of this great country was achieving the dream. whether that is Dr. Martin Luther embedded the principles of liberty and A recent study by the Corporation for King, whether that is Rosa Parks, we justice for all. It was a great document Enterprise Development shows that have members of this Congressional and a great start. Embedded in the families of color are two times more Black Caucus who stand united to pro- DNA of this country was fairness, likely to live below the Federal pov- vide opportunities for all. equality, and opportunity for everyone. erty level, almost two times more like- We are often referred to as the con- But there was a genetic defect called ly to lack liquid savings, and are sig- science of the Congress. There is a rea- chattel slavery that was also attendant nificantly more likely to have son for that: Because we are the voice to our birth. subprime credit scores. of the voiceless. If you are going to have any discus- A lack of liquid savings among fami- And when I think of voices, I think of sion about where we are in America lies of color often lends to further dis- my co-anchor. I think of a man who today, you have got to recognize there parity and wealth loss, as evidenced by came as my classmate, someone stel- was a genetic defect that has impacted the proportion of student debt by race lar, someone who is a scholar and a the arc of the African American com- and ethnicity. profound lawyer, someone who stands munity here in America and the Amer- African American college students tall in stature and in his words, some- ican story, and that genetic defect of rely more on student loans to pay for one that I actually enjoy sitting and chattel slavery stayed with us, of college than do other racial groups and listening to as he so often brings the course, until the war ended in 1865. Mil- are less likely to pay off the debt, ac- message. lions of African American slaves were cording to a report by the Wisconsin It is my honor to yield to the gen- subjugated. It was one of the worst HOPE Lab. tleman from New York (Mr. JEFFRIES) crimes ever perpetrated in the history While unemployment in this country to talk to us about the state of our of humanity. It finally ended in 1865 has fallen to 5 percent, African Amer- union, Dr. King’s dream, and African with the adoption of the 13th Amend- ican communities like my home dis- Americans in this great Nation. ment. Of course, we know that the 14th trict of the U.S. Virgin Islands con- Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank Amendment and the 15th Amendment tinue to experience double-digit unem- the distinguished gentlewoman from followed, equal protection under the ployment rates. Ohio, Representative BEATTY, my good law for everyone, 14th Amendment, and Many of these communities of color friend, for those very kind words and, the 15th Amendment was designed to have experienced decades of systematic of course, for her tremendous leader- guarantee the right to vote. The so- divestment of funding and resources ship in anchoring and shepherding us called Reconstruction period lasted that can only serve to widen the here this evening in the same manner until the middle of the 1870s, but it was wealth and opportunity gap. that she has done since her arrival here largely abandoned thereafter. That is benign neglect, a benign ne- in the House of Representatives, al- The African Americans, of course, glect that has led to failing public and ways eloquent, erudite, and effer- were given a raw, bad deal. How can alternative education systems, crum- vescent. you cure the genetic defect of chattel bling infrastructure, and, in some We appreciate that unique and tre- slavery with three constitutional cases, the slide to bankruptcy, bank- mendous combination of skill and abil- amendments without ever really force- ruptcy not just due to mismanagement ity that you bring to the people that fully implementing them and within a and corruption, which is the conven- you represent so ably in Columbus, decade or so abandoning the principles ient answer, but a systematic lack of Ohio, and, of course, really, on behalf inherent in those constitutional investment, support, and adequate of America as you stand here anchor- amendments? In place we received the funding, which causes places like De- ing this Congressional Black Caucus Black Codes, Jim Crow, segregation, troit, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Is- Special Orders hour. and an intense lynching campaign un- lands to mortgage their children’s fu- I look forward to continuing to work leashed on African Americans in the tures in bonds to make ends meet. together throughout the year as we en- South, in the Midwest, in the far West, African Americans make up 13 per- deavor to speak truth to power here on and other parts of the United States of cent of the population, but have only the floor of the House of Representa- America. So we went from chattel slav- 2.7 percent of total wealth. tives and articulate issues of signifi- ery, a brief period of Reconstruction, This Congress has within its power to cance and importance to African Amer- then you give us Jim Crow. reverse the years of benign neglect to icans in the United States of America So we dealt with Jim Crow which was these communities through supporting and to all of America. at least in principle abolished on paper

VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:26 Feb 02, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01FE7.056 H01FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE February 1, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H427 when the Supreme Court makes the de- things to benefit not just the African crats, Conservatives and Progressives cision in Brown v. Board of Education American community, but all commu- who have come together, folks like that separate but equal was just a nities, to help bring the promise of RAUL LABRADOR, TREY GOWDY, and farce. It was a joke. It wasn’t real. So American democracy to life. JASON CHAFFETZ—good friends of mine the Supreme Court exposes that, but With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back on the other side of the aisle—recog- then says, go ahead and implement it to my good friend, Representative nize the importance of dealing with with all deliberate speed. Which basi- BEATTY. mass incarceration for America. cally meant don’t really implement it Mrs. BEATTY. Thank you so much to with any urgency, any immediacy, any my colleague. As I stood here and I lis- Here are a few statistics that I think impactful fashion, just take your time tened to you walk us through that rich we need to be concerned about as it re- and do it at your own pace. history, it reminded me of all of the lates to your question. African Ameri- So as we are trying to deal with Jim bad actors that caused many of those cans serve virtually as much time in Crow, then you have, of course, Dr. bad things. I reflect on someone in my prison for a nonviolent drug offense, King and leaders of the civil rights family being a part of that chattel approximately 58 months, as White movement, JOHN LEWIS, whom Con- slavery as a slave, I think about Jim Americans do for a violent criminal of- gresswoman BEATTY and I are so privi- Crow, and I think about the things that fense, 62 months. Whites in America leged to serve with, A. Philip Ran- my grandmother was asked to do when statistically use drugs five times as dolph, Roy Wilkins, James Farmer, and she had walked far just to try to vote often as African Americans, yet Afri- so many others. The civil rights move- and was asked to recite things that can Americans are sent to prison for ment deals with the lingering effects of probably the people asking her could drug offenses at 10 times the rate of our original genetic defect of chattel not have done. White Americans. Then when I think about all of those slavery replaced by Jim Crow. Lastly, African Americans represent Then in the 1960s, we get the 1964 social reforms and all the things that 83 percent of crack cocaine Federal de- Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting happened 50 and 55 years ago, it made Rights Act, the 1968 Fair Housing Act, me think, Congressman JEFFRIES, when fendants, but only 28 percent of users— Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, and we think about Martin Luther King 83 percent are defendants, 28 percent efforts to try to finally correct the in- and his dream, so often people say, are users; whereas, White Americans justices that have been race based here ‘‘What would he think today?’’ But I represent 5.8 percent of Federal defend- in America. Like Reconstruction, guess for me the question is a little dif- ants but 62 percent of users. which lasted for a little over a decade, ferent that I would like to discuss with Something is wrong. Justice is not we get this period of dramatic social you. Do you think history is repeating colorblind in America. So hopefully we itself? change, mainly in the early and mid- will find the ability to come together As I listened to you talk about slav- 1960s that is quickly abandoned and to deal with the overall broken crimi- taken advantage of by Richard Nixon ery, and today when I go into some parts of my community with the War nal justice system and certainly as in 1968 with the Southern strategy on Drugs I have had Black men say to part of that rectify some of the racial White backlash, particularly in the me that they feel like they are living disparities that exist. Deep South, compounded in 1971 when during a time of slavery. When I talk President Richard Nixon makes the Mrs. BEATTY. Thank you so much. to young, single moms who are fighting statement that drug abuse is public Let me just end by saying, Mr. for their own existence or to feed their enemy number one. Essentially, the Speaker, what you have witnessed to- children, they feel that they are held War on Drugs ushered in an era of mass night is that our past that we have captive by poverty. incarceration. So are we looking at still bad actors, talked about is our experience, our When President Nixon made that bad actors in the Chambers that I present is our responsibility, and our statement, there were less than 350,000 stand in, bad actors who want to take future is our hope. people incarcerated in America. Today, away SNAP, bad actors who don’t want Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 40-plus years later, after the War on to give us a voting rights bill, bad ac- of my time. Drugs, so called, was started, 2.3 mil- tors that don’t want to ban the box? lion people, more than 1 million Afri- What do you think? Are we seeing Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, the Reverend can American men, disproportionately history repeat itself? Doctor Martin Luther King’s vision of ending and adversely impacting communities Mr. JEFFRIES. It is a great ques- inequality through providing jobs, justice, and of color and as has been mentioned ear- tion. Unfortunately sort of the arc of peace to all Americans is a vision that many lier, incarcerate more people in Amer- history here in this great country of have fought and died to make a reality. As the ica than any other country in the ours is that whenever progress has been Civil Rights Movement battled against discrimi- world, a country where we over-incar- made it has been followed by a back- nation and inequality in the 1960’s, I adopted cerate and under educate. lash. Progress was made with the Re- Dr. King’s vision of jobs, justice, and peace We have made a lot of progress in construction amendments. It was fol- when I ran for Congress in 1964. I remember America. African Americans as a col- lowed by a backlash that gave us Jim the Jim Crow era, poll taxes, and institutional- lective community really haven’t been Crow, the Black Codes, and an explo- ized segregation when I arrived in Congress. given any room to breathe because we sion of lynching in the South. Yet, for all of these institutional scars and dis- have gone from chattel slavery—the Progress, of course, was made in the criminatory impediments, the work we did in original birth defect in this great Re- 1960s with the Civil Rights Act, the Congress aided in fulfilling the promises of public—to Jim Crow, to mass incarcer- Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing equality enshrined in our Constitution. After a ation with brief periods of Reconstruc- Act immediately followed by Richard historic effort, the Civil Rights Act was passed, tion and civil rights era mixed in be- Nixon’s Southern strategy, and a back- the Voting Rights Act was adopted, and a new tween. And you wonder why we are in lash against things like affirmative ac- era of federal protections around equality was the situation that we are in right now. tion which had barely been put into ushered in the 20th Century. We have made a lot of progress. Obvi- motion and a rollback of the War on ously the fact that Barack Obama is Poverty which was designed to help Af- Some fifty years later, this era has yet to be sitting at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is rican Americans and all Americans of fully realized. While the initial challenges of a significant development, but as Dr. every race. recognizing and upholding civil rights have King says, he talked about an arc, Then, of course, many thought that been met, many of the original problems per- which means that similar to what we perhaps had reached a post-racial sist, but in an evolved form. Fifty plus years Abraham Lincoln once said, that we America in the aftermath of the elec- later, the American people confront issues of have to continue a march toward a tion of President Barack Obama, but voter suppression, gender and sexual orienta- more perfect Union, the Congressional we know, of course, that that is not the tion discrimination. Many communities feel Black Caucus with leadership from dy- case sadly. under siege from those sworn to protect their namic representatives like JOYCE I am hopeful, however, that many of liberty. Hate crimes and religious intolerance BEATTY, have put forth a series of my colleagues, Republicans and Demo- are on the rise as reported nightly on the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Feb 02, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K01FE7.058 H01FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H428 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 1, 2016 news. And women contend with a pay inequity sentencing laws to address this crisis, and I Americans to succeed in the comic book pub- hampering their standing with men in the am working with my colleagues to do that. lishing business. workplace. The profiling of racial and religious minori- They were my beloved parents and they In spite of all of these shortcomings, strides ties is also a terrible reality that threatens taught me the value of education, hard work, have been made: reauthorizing the Voting peace in our nation. Profiling is an archaic discipline, perseverance, and caring for others. Rights Act in 2006; the passage of legislation form of discrimination that subjects individuals And I am continually inspired by Dr. Elwyn expanding access to healthcare; the introduc- to criminal indictments or investigations based Lee, my husband and the first tenured African tion of legislation combating voter caging and on their race or religion. Although profiling American law professor at the University of deceptive practices, and the passage of the cannot be found in any form of written law, the Houston. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, signed into law practice is real in America and threatens the Mr. Speaker, I particularly wish to acknowl- by the first African-American President of the trust and peace that is essential in the rela- edge the contributions of African American United States, himself emblematic of civil tionship between citizens and their law en- veterans in defending from foreign aggressors rights progress. forcement. Our nation’s leaders can work to and who by their courageous examples helped These issues were all, at one point in time, pass legislation, such as the End Racial transform our nation from a segregated soci- deemed radical. Women’s suffrage, racial Profiling Act, to prohibit this practice in any ety to a nation committed to the never ending equality, and now gay and lesbian rights: for law enforcement agency and the Law Enforce- challenge of perfecting our union. each, the civil rights movement has expanded ment Trust and Integrity Act to provide real Last year about this time, I was honored to until true justice is achieved. Many problems standards for the operation of police depart- join my colleagues, Congressmen JOHN LEWIS persist and more are certain to arrive, but ments. and Congressman CHARLES RANGEL, a Korean through renewed determination to tackle these As we press forward to address inequality in War veteran, in paying tribute to surviving deep-seated problems, we can one day live the 21st Century, the outstanding question is members of the Tuskegee Airmen and the up to the beloved community envision by Dr. whether or not Congress will rise to tackle 555th Parachute Infantry, the famed ‘‘Triple King. these issues. The American people have al- Nickels’’ at a moving ceremony sponsored by While our struggle for equality stems from ready witnessed how politics can transform the U.S. Army commemorating the 50th Anni- being afforded the basic human rights associ- our legislative body into a body producing versary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. ated with a free society, the ideal of achieving nothing but dysfunction. However, the erosion The success of the Tuskegee Airmen in es- economic justice, with employment for all who of Congress’s focus on protecting civil rights corting bombers during World War II—achiev- seek it, remains out of reach for many. The and civil liberties can be reversed. ing one of the lowest loss records of all the aftermath of the financial crisis has brought This Congress has the opportunity to an- escort fighter groups, and being in constant crippling unemployment, wage stagnation, and swer these present injustices by assuming the demand for their services by the allied bomber rising income inequality. Yet, the Great Reces- unwavering commitment to jobs, justice, and units—is a record unmatched by any other sion has only exacerbated a decades-long de- peace that was displayed so valiantly by Dr. fighter group. cline in the fortunes of the working and middle Martin Luther King. Ending inequality in Amer- So impressive and astounding were the classes. As finances continue to deteriorate, ica is a battle that can be won, and although feats of the Tuskegee Airmen that in 1948 basic social and public services have often the enemy is still the same, our approach in they persuaded President Harry Truman to been the first to go. the 21st century must not lack the strength issue his famous Executive Order No. 9981, In the realm of healthcare, a basic safety and courage of those who have fought so which directed equality of treatment and op- net was only recently afforded to the under- bravely before us. portunity in all of the United States Armed served in the United States with passage of Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this Feb- Forces and led to the end of racial segrega- the Affordable Care Act, yet millions of low-in- ruary we recognize and celebrate the 39th tion in the U.S. military forces. come and unemployed individuals remain un- commemoration of Black History Month. insured. Housing remains a continued blight, This month we celebrate the contributions of It is a source of enormous and enduring as mass-foreclosures following the aftermath African Americans to the history of our great pride that my father-in-law, Phillip Ferguson of the Great Recession tear apart communities nation, and pay tribute to trailblazers, pio- Lee, was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. and destabilizes families. neers, heroes, and leaders like Rev. Dr. Mar- Clearly, what began as an experiment to de- Even after fifty years of promoting Dr. King’s tin Luther King, Jr., Supreme Court Justice termine whether ‘‘colored’’ soldiers were capa- cause for peace, our country is enmeshed in Thurgood Marshall, U.S. Senator Blanche ble of operating expensive and complex com- gun violence, which tragically produced the Kelso Bruce, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara bat aircraft ended as an unqualified success shootings in Newtown, Aurora, Tucson, and Jordan, U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland, based on the experience of the Tuskegee Air- Wisconsin, and daily on the streets of Amer- Astronauts Dr. Guion Stewart Bluford Jr. and men, whose record included 261 aircraft de- ica’s most populated cities. These horrific oc- Mae C. Jemison, Frederick Douglass, Booker stroyed, 148 aircraft damaged, 15,553 combat currences are unacceptable for our nation, T. Washington, James Baldwin, Harriet Tub- sorties and 1,578 missions over Italy and which is why catapulting peace to the forefront man, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Toni Morri- North Africa. of our nation’s agenda will save lives and pro- son, and Gwendolyn Brooks just to name a They also destroyed or damaged over 950 tect our most vital right under the Constitution: few of the countless number of well-known units of ground transportation and escorted life. I am hopeful that by strengthening our and unsung heroes whose contributions have more than 200 bombing missions. They gun laws we can remove military style weap- helped our nation become a more perfect proved that ‘‘the antidote to racism is excel- ons out of our communities, prohibit the sale union. lence in performance,’’ as retired Lt. Col. Her- of deadly gun clips, and close loopholes on The history of the United States has been bert Carter once remarked. the sale of guns. marked by the great contributions of African Mr. Speaker, Black History Month is also a Our rate of incarceration and length of sen- American activists, leaders, writers, and art- time to remember many pioneering women tences are unjust and unsustainable. The ists. like U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm; United States incarcerates 25 percent of the As a member of Congress, I know that I activists Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks; as- world’s prisoners, while we have only five per- stand on the shoulders of giants whose strug- tronaut Mae C. Jemison; authors Maya cent of the world’s population. And we dis- gles and triumphs made it possible for me to Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Gwendolyn proportionately prosecute and incarcerate Afri- stand here today and continue the fight for Brooks; all of whom have each in their own can Americans more than any other race. This equality, justice, and progress for all, regard- way, whether through courageous activism, is the result of what President Obama has less of race, religion, gender or sexual orienta- cultural contributions, or artistic creativity, called a ‘‘huge explosion’’ in our incarceration tion. forged social and political change, and forever rates, with 500,000 people imprisoned in The greatest of these giants to me are Mrs. changed our great Nation for the better. America in 1980 growing to 2.2 million today. Ivalita ‘‘Ivy’’ Jackson, a vocational nurse, and It is also fitting, Mr. Speaker, that in addition We must change our prosecution policies and Mr. Ezra A. Jackson, one of the first African- to those national leaders whose contributions

VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:53 Feb 02, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A01FE7.034 H01FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with HOUSE February 1, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H429 have made our nation better, we honor also As we celebrate Black History Month in It is time we ‘‘fix our politics.’’ Not just in those who have and are making a difference February, it is timely to consider how other Washington, but everywhere. in their local communities. great leaders from our past would perceive the As President Barack Obama stated recently, In my home city of Houston, there are nu- state of our union today. Dr. Martin Luther ‘‘We are in a time of extraordinary change.’’ merous great men and women. They are great King, Jr. is one such leader who envisioned a The Members of this House have the oppor- because they have heeded the counsel of Dr. greater future for our Nation in the face of un- tunity to pass policies that reverse years of King who said: speakable discrimination and intolerance. In bigotry and injustice and level the playing field ‘‘Everybody can be great because anybody his famous ‘‘I Have a Dream’’ speech deliv- for all. can serve. You only need a heart full of grace. ered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, This Black History Month, I urge my Con- A soul generated by love.’’ D.C., Dr. King laid out his vision of our country gressional colleagues to celebrate through leg- By that measure, I wish to pay tribute to where all men are created equal and where islative action. Develop a new formula to en- some of the great men and women of Hous- freedom must ring if America is to be a great sure the right to vote for all Americans. Reau- ton: nation. thorize the Higher Education Act to help more 1. Rev. F.N. Williams, Sr. Today, those principles ring true. We have kids go to college. Combat harsh sentencing 2. Rev. Dr. S.J. Gilbert, Sr. made great progress as a nation to move through criminal justice reform. 3. Rev. Crawford W. Kimble away from the darkest moments of our past. These actions won’t just honor a race of 4. Rev. Eldridge Stanley Branch Yet, there is still much work to be done. We people. They will further the hope and success 5. Rev. William A. Lawson have witnessed continued efforts to disenfran- of an entire nation. 6. Rev. Johnnie Jeffery ‘‘J.J.’’ Robeson chise select groups of voters by gutting the 7. Mr. El Franco Lee Voting Rights Act and persistent racial tension f 8. Mr. John Brand between law enforcement and the commu- 9. Ms. Ruby Moseley nities they are sworn to protect. It is a con- LEAVE OF ABSENCE 10. Ms. Dorothy Hubbard stant struggle that afflicts communities all By unanimous consent, leave of ab- 11. Ms. Doris Hubbard across the United States and suggests that sence was granted to: 12. Ms. Willie Bell Boone more work needs to be done if we are to Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia (at the 13. Ms. Holly HogoBrooks achieve Dr. King’s dream. request of Mr. MCCARTHY) for today 14. Mr. Deloyd Parker Mr. Speaker, the freedoms we enjoy in the and February 2 on account of a family 15. Ms. Lenora ‘‘Doll’’ Carter United States are not absolute. The principles emergency. As we celebrate Black History Month, let us and values that define our Nation are con- Ms. JACKSON LEE (at the request of pay tribute to those who have come before us, stantly challenged and ever-evolving. Dr. King Ms. PELOSI) for today on account of of- and pay forward to future generations by ad- had a distinct vision for the future of our Na- ficial business. dressing what is the number one issue for Af- tion and his legacy can help guide our deci- rican American families, and all American fam- sions moving into the future so that we can f ilies today: preserving the American promise avoid making the same mistakes of our past. of economic opportunity for all. Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, each February EXPENDITURES BY THE OFFICE Our immediate focus must be job creation, our nation takes time to reflect on the count- OF GENERAL COUNSEL UNDER and enacting legislation that will foster and lay less contributions African Americans have HOUSE RESOLUTION 676, 113TH the foundation for today’s and tomorrow’s gen- made to this country’s history. We celebrate CONGRESS eration of groundbreaking activists, leaders, innovators like Ohio District 11’s own COMMITTEE ON HOUSE scientists, writers and artists to continue con- Langston Hughes, pioneers like astronaut Mae ADMINISTRATION, tributing to the greatness of America. Jamison, as well as political and civil rights HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, We must work to get Americans back to leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Washington, DC, January 29, 2016. work. Black History Month represents inclusion Hon. PAUL D. RYAN, We must continue to preserve the American and innovation. It promotes America at its Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, Dream for all. best. For in this month, we appreciate our col- Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here in lective strength and recognize the diversity of DEAR MR. SPEAKER: Pursuant to section 3(b) of H. Res. 676 of the 113th Congress, as celebration of the heroic and historic acts of each and every patriot. African Americans and their indispensable continued by section 3(f)(2) of H. Res. 5 of the America is a country of immigrants, and our 114th Congress, I write with the following en- contributions to this great Nation. power lies in our differences. To quote Dr. closure which is a statement of the aggre- It is through our work in creating possibilities King, ‘‘We may have all come on different gate amount expended on outside counsel for today and future generations that we best ships, but we’re in the same boat now.’’ and other experts on any civil action author- honor the accomplishments and legacy of our No matter how we arrived, every American ized by H. Res. 676. predecessors. should have access to the same opportunity. Sincerely, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Every individual should be able to reach his or CANDICE S. MILLER, Chairman. Mr. Speaker, when President Barack Obama her own potential and succeed in the home of delivered his final State of the Union address the free and the land of the brave. AGGREGATE AMOUNT EXPENDED ON OUTSIDE COUNSEL last month, he highlighted the resilience and Unfortunately, many do not have equitable OR OTHER EXPERTS determination of the American people. The access to opportunity. This is why the Con- [H. Res. 676] President touted notable achievements in sci- gressional Black Caucus stands today. entific advancement, greater transparency Despite the contributions and sacrifice of Af- throughout our political system, and a stronger rican Americans, many still suffer from the ef- July 1–September 30, 2014 ...... and more equitable economy as evidence fects of historic injustice and prejudice. We are October 1–December 31, 2014 ...... $42,875.00 pointing to the strength of our Nation. January 1–March 31, 2015 ...... 50,000.00 almost three times more likely to live in pov- April 1, 2015–June 30, 2015 ...... 29,915.00 For context, in the final month of President erty than Whites, and six times more likely to July 1–September 30, 2015 ...... 21,000.00 George W. Bush’s presidency, the economy October 1–December 31, 2015 ...... 45,707.67 be put in jail. Our unemployment rate is nearly Total ...... 189,497.67 was in free fall. The private sector lost nearly two times the rates of Whites. When we do 820,000 jobs in the final month of President find work, we make less than our White coun- Bush’s presidency alone and unemployment terparts. f peaked at around 10 percent in the midst of As Black America reflects on its current situ- ADJOURNMENT the Great Recession. Today, the economy has ation, many tend to ask questions such as, added 14.1 million jobs over 70 consecutive ‘‘What would Dr. King do?’’ or ‘‘How would the Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I move months of private-sector job growth, house- civil rights leaders of the past address the that the House do now adjourn. hold wealth has increased by more than $30 issues of the present?’’ The motion was agreed to; accord- trillion, and average home prices have recov- If Dr. King was alive today, I believe he ingly (at 8 o’clock and 27 minutes ered to pre-recession levels under President would certainly be proud of who we are. But p.m.), under its previous order, the Obama’s Administration. However, economic he would also say that we must commit our- House adjourned until tomorrow, Tues- indicators are not the only method for deter- selves to moving forward together as one peo- day, February 2, 2016, at 10 a.m. for mining the true state of our union. ple and one nation. morning-hour debate.

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