E616 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 16, 2019 PERSONAL EXPLANATION friend, and a truly remarkable woman, Irene retired Congressman John Conyers on the oc- Schafer. casion of his 90th Birthday. Congressman HON. JOHN H. RUTHERFORD May 16 is Irene’s 89th birthday, and I can Conyers was born in Highland Park, Michigan, OF FLORIDA attest that those 89 years have been spent on May 16, 1929, and grew up in the city of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tirelessly serving those around her. Service to Detroit. Like many men of his generation, he her community is who Irene is. served in the military and was stationed in Thursday, May 16, 2019 Irene is active with many civic and leader- Korea, during the Korean War, as an officer in Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I was ship groups in Dickinson, including the Dickin- the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he unavoidably detained during the second vote son Area Builders Association, Badlands was awarded combat and merit citations. series on May 15, 2019. Had I been present, Board of Realtors, Dickinson Rotary Club, Following the completion of his military serv- I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 209. Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph’s Hospital ice, he earned both his B.A. (1957) and LL.B. f Foundation’s Charity Ball Committee, Dickin- (1958) degrees from Wayne State University son State University Alumni Association’s and became an active member of the Michi- OBESITY Yuletyme Committee, AAUW, United Way, gan Bar. He had the distinction of working on Elks Lodge, District 36 GOP, as well as a the staff of Congressman John Dingell, serv- HON. DANNY K. DAVIS member of the Post Office Consumer Advisory ing as counsel to Detroit-area labor union OF ILLINOIS Committee. locals and as a referee for Michigan’s work- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Even so, Irene was not satisfied with her men’s compensation department. Thursday, May 16, 2019 level of community service. In 2016, Irene His commitment to civil rights was forged during the great movement of the 1960’s, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam founded a new group, the Power of 100 Women, to gather women four times per year when traveling throughout the South, and was Speaker, the Obesity epidemic is a long- in Selma, Alabama, for the Freedom Day voter standing issue in American society with two- to each donate $100 to a deserving nonprofit organization. registration drive in 1963. In correspondence, thirds of our population being affected by ex- the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., would cess weight. This nation is facing the con- The Power of 100 Women donated more than $15,000 to help open Hope’s Landing, a later remark that Conyers presence in Selma, sequences of limited policies and funding to Alabama ‘‘had an electric effect on the resolve this public health issue. Obesity af- sober-living home in Dickinson for women suf- fering from addiction. The group donated voteless and beleaguered Negro citizens of fects all populations but some groups are dis- this city, state and nation.’’ proportionately impacted such as racial and $10,000 to the Dickinson Backpack Program to purchase 2,000 backpacks for school- Conyers legislative career began in 1964 ethnic minorities. According to the Department when he ran for an open seat in Michigan’s of Health and Human Services, African Amer- children in need. Most recently, the group do- nated $20,000 to Project H.E.R.O. (Helping 1st District, following the landmark 1964 Baker ican women have the highest rates of being v. Carr decision, and defeated his opponent overweight or obese with about 4 out of 5 Educators Reach Out), a non-profit organiza- tion ensuring that children are eating lunch with 84 percent of the vote. In this race, Con- women fitting the description. Constituents in gressman Conyers received the only known every day. Since its founding, the organiza- my district are also highly affected by this phe- political endorsement from Dr. King and Rosa tion’s members have donated over $240,000 nomenon. A National Health and Nutrition Ex- Parks, known for her prominent role in the amination survey revealed that in the North to community-serving organizations. Irene’s mission in life is to build a great Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott, moved to Lawndale community in Chicago 46.4 percent community and she is doing that every day Detroit and served on Conyers’ staff between of children aged 2–12 were considered obese. through her community service. 1965 and 1988. This is unacceptable especially when com- Congressman Conyers went on to serve 26 My warmest greetings to Irene on her 89th pared to the national average of childhood terms, winning re-election twenty-five times, birthday. Blessings to her and her family on obesity which is 18.5 percent. Therefore, we and is the third longest-serving member of the this special occasion. must examine the factors that lead to such House in history, and the sixth longest-serving disparities. One primary factor in my district f member of Congress in history. He was one of that contributes to this issue are food deserts. PERSONAL EXPLANATION the 13 members who founded the Congres- The lack of access to healthy food options is sional Black Caucus in 1969 and was consid- due to both the lack of food retail businesses HON. ered the Dean of the Caucus during his ten- ure. and income within these communities. Unfor- OF INDIANA As a freshman member, Congressman Con- tunately, high-calorie foods are less expensive IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and more available in neighborhoods with yers won a seat on the Judiciary Committee more corner stores than supermarkets. Addi- Thursday, May 16, 2019 and went on to serve as Chairman of that tionally, there is a lack of safe, accessible Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, on Wednes- committee from 2007 to 2011, along with serv- places to walk, bike, and play in low-income day, May 15, 2019 I was honored to attend ing as the ranking Democratic member on the neighborhoods, leaving residents with very few the Memorial Service for Senator Richard Committee from 1995 to 2007 and again from options. Health policies and programs need to Lugar at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 2011 to 2017. During his tenure, he success- be promoted in every sector from schools to in Indianapolis, Indiana. Senator Lugar will be fully worked to oppose initiatives that violated local businesses to grassroots organizations. remembered as one of America’s greatest Constitutional values and served as a beacon Addressing this epidemic will require us to Senators, leaving his mark on domestic and of hope to those facing poverty and injustice. work together to garner resources to battle global affairs throughout his six terms. For the He was the first member to introduce legisla- obesity at the federal, state, and community above reason, I was not recorded for roll call tion or hold hearings on an important series of levels. These resources could help commu- vote 205, 206, 207, 208, and 209. Had I been civil rights issues, including: police mis- nities facing health disparities fund projects present, I would have voted Nay on roll call conduct; LGBTQ protections; violence against such as community gardens and rebuilding 205, 206, 207, and 208, and Yea on roll call the Arab and Muslim American communities; playgrounds to get them on a path to healthier 209. AIDS in the African-American community; en- vironmental racism; and restorative justice, living. It is imperative that we address the f issue of obesity to ensure the health of the just to name a few. INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION Over the course of his legislative career, country. HONORING RETIRED HOUSE JU- Congressman Conyers was responsible for f DICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN more than 100 bills, amendments, and resolu- IN RECOGNITION OF IRENE JOHN CONYERS, JR. ON THE OC- tions being enacted, including 57 on which he SCHAFER CASION OF HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY was the overall lead sponsor, and an addi- tional 56 that he managed or was the lead HON. HON. Democratic sponsor. From his position on the OF OF TEXAS Judiciary Committee, he led many of our most IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES notable legislative efforts on civil rights and civil liberties, including: the Martin Luther King Thursday, May 16, 2019 Thursday, May 16, 2019 Holiday Act, the Voting Rights act Reauthor- Mr. ARMSTRONG. Madam Speaker, I rise Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I am izations, the Violence Against Women Act Re- today to honor an outstanding constituent, a pleased to introduce this resolution honoring authorizations, the Hate Crimes Prevention

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:48 May 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16MY8.026 E16MYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS May 16, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E617 Act, Pattern and Practice Enforcement Act, the tion and commitment to service is an example breaking and entirely un-American, but with USA Freedom Act, the Fair Sentencing Act, for us all. He will always be the Chairman. the Equality Act we can do something about it. the ‘‘Motor Voter’’ Act, and the Innocence Pro- f The Equality Act will greatly extend civil tection Act. For these reasons, Congressman Conyers THE EQUALITY ACT rights for the LGBTQ community, providing is recognized as a champion of civil rights and consistent and explicit protections from dis- civil liberties, receiving numerous honors, in- HON. SYLVIA R. GARCIA crimination for LGBTQ people across key areas of life including employment, housing, cluding the NAACP Spingarn Medal and the OF TEXAS credit, and education. Leadership Conference on Civil and Human IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rights Hubert H. Humphrey Award. Always a Thursday, May 16, 2019 In Texas, that means having explicit protec- leader and gentleman, Congressman Conyers tions for LGBTQ people for the first time in our walked the halls of this institution for more Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Madam Speaker, I history. Updating federal law will tear down than 50 years, leaving a lasting impact rise today in strong and steadfast support of barriers to prosperity and lead to better out- through his dedication to freedom and justice the Equality Act. comes for our family members, neighbors, and We’ve made a lot of progress in recent for all people. loved-ones. Like so many in this body, I am proud to years, but the reality is that many still face dis- have been his colleague and friend. The cele- crimination because of who they are and the This is long overdue for nearly 1 million bration of his 90th birthday is an ideal time to people they love. LGBTQ Texans and is why I urge all of my reflect on his accomplishments and celebrate In Texas, the discrimination and inequality colleagues to make the Equality Act the law of his distinguished legislative career. His dedica- faced by the LGBTQ community is heart- the land.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:48 May 17, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A16MY8.030 E16MYPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS